The progressive metal sound of Kamelot is back as they prepare to release their tenth studio album, “Silverthorn” and first with new lead singer, Swedish vocalist Tommy Karevik. Guitarist Thomas Youngblood and keyboardist Oliver Palotai composed the new record and the result is a brilliant combination of metal and classical that create the unique sound of Kamelot.
“Silverthorn” opens with the instrumental “Manus Dei” which features piano and strings before powering into “Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife).” This song is total metal with Youngblood’s screaming guitars and Palotai’s keyboard runs taking center stage in a virtual battle between the two instruments. “Ashes to Ashes” and “Falling Like the Fahrenheit” both offer up huge choruses and a rock solid rhythm section with Sean Tibbetts on bass and Casey Grillo on drums.
New vocalist Karevik shines with his haunting voice on the piano ballad “Song for Jolee,” proving he is up to the task. The theme of the record is one of despair and guilt; the story of a young girl dying in the arms of her twin brother. “Prodigal Son” captures that feeling with its hymnlike, ethereal beauty before becoming full orchestral and plunging into metal mayhem at the very end. “Silverthorn” closes the way it began with a classical instrumental, “Continuum,” a choral with beautiful strings before fading out into absolute silence.
Some may call this goth metal or classical metal but it’s difficult to classify Kamelot into any particular genre and to be honest, it doesn’t really matter. In the end, great music is great music and that’s what “Silverthorn” is. Whether you are into Mozart or Metallica, Kamelot has a lot to offer.
