American/European prog/power metal darlings Kamelot are back with their latest effort for Napalm Records, the dramatically titled The Shadow Theory. Now on their third album with Seventh Wonder vocalist Tommy Karevik, Kamelot are firing on all cylinders and completely at the top of their game, with this new platter easily ranking high as one of their strongest releases yet. Completing the current line-up is guitarist/founder Thomas Youngblood, bassist Sean Tibbetts, keyboard player Oliver Palotai, and new drummer Johan Nunez, who also spends time in notable power metal act Firewind, though longtime drummer Casey Grillo is featured on the album but left shortly after its completion.
One of Kamelot's strongest characteristics has always been the perfect merging of hook laden symphonic rock with classy, majestic heavy metal, and that is as expected the driving force behind The Shadow Theory. Karevik is on top of his game, again cementing his status as one of metal's truly elite singers, his powerful pipes soaring over crunchy guitar riffs, blazing lead solos, orchestral keyboard swells, and dynamic rhythms on such spectacular fare as "Burns to Embrace", "Rave Light", and "Amnesiac". His stunning duet with Jennifer Haben on the gorgeous "In Twilight Hours" will bring a smile to any fan of classic Queensryche, and his array of forceful as well as melodic tones on the raging prog-metal ripper "Kevlar Skin" are just awe inspiring. Once Human vocalist Lauren Hart contributes death metal growls to both "Phantom Divine" and "Mindfall Remedy", providing a snarling foil to Karevik's potent melodic attack, the two battling over a pulverizing blend of guitar & keyboard majesty. Fans of Kamelot's over the top symphonic metal fare will fall in love with the passionate " Vespertine (My Crimson Bride)" as well as the driving "The Proud and the Broken", the latter seeing both Youngblood and Palotai contributing some expert riffs and speedy flourishes.
Classy, yet oh so powerful every step of the way, Kamelot have come up with another masterpiece here with The Shadow Theory. To be honest, these guys have never released a bad album, but The Shadow Theory continues a pretty unbeatable run that started with 2001's Karma, and they have never looked back and keep upping the ante time and time again. Brilliant stuff!
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
- The Mission 1:30
- Phantom Divine (Shadow Empire) feat. Lauren Hart 4:05
- Rave Light 3:37
- Amnesiac 3:40
- Burns To Embrace 5:53
- In Twilight Hours feat. Jennifer Haben 4:15
- Kevlar Skin 4:05
- Static 3:58
- MindFall Remedy feat. Lauren Hart 3:22
- Stories Unheard 4:24
- Vespertine (My Crimson Bride) 3:58
- The Proud and the Broken 6:24
- Ministrium (Shadow Key) 3:02
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