Artist: Kamelot
Label: Noise Records
Release Date: 7/10/01
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Title: Karma Artist: Kamelot Label: Noise Records Release Date: 7/10/01 |
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Abyss's Review:
I have a feeling that there are a lot of die hard Kamelot fans out there. This strikes me as the type of band that you either love or hate. Unfortunately, I’m in the latter camp. Every time I listen to this band I feel like I’m missing something that I should be getting. Did you ever see the Brad Pitt movie Snatch? Remember how his character’s accent was so thick and he spoke so quickly that you couldn’t understand a word he said? It was very frustrating, because I knew what was coming out of his mouth was English, but I just couldn’t follow along.
"It’s hard to understand how anything that is produced with this much thought involved ends up so utterly bland." That’s how I feel about Kamelot. I know, as a metalhead, I should be able to grasp what these guys are trying to do, but it’s just not working. This band strikes me the same way that Dream Theater does. Though musically they don’t have that much in common, the defenses for liking them are the same. The level of musicianship is outstanding. Both bands are very tight, and the songs are constructed meticulously. So for me it’s hard to understand how anything that is produced with this much thought involved ends up so utterly bland. They have distinctively laid-out melodies, it’s just that they don’t sound good to me. There is no hook, or whatever it is you call it that makes you enjoy one series of notes over another. I thought I would like the fact that the vocals of this band are more range bound than others in the genre, because I often tire of people trying to impress me with how high they can get their voice, while I just cringe cause it gives me a headache. But these more tempered vocals just seem to drift aimlessly and emotionlessly.
The band obviously must feel very different because they’ve taken great pains to make this album flow together, and it does, it just remains uninteresting. They even re-recorded a song in English and French, but that didn’t make it any more appealing. I’m sure I’ll hear from fans of the band defending the musicality and determination of this band, but I’m not denying these assets at all. I’m just saying they seem wasted. In my opinion good music doesn’t need to be defended by anything more than "it sounds cool." And this band just doesn’t do it for me.
"These more tempered vocals just seem to drift aimlessly and emotionlessly." Threw a skull in for the musicianship and effort, but this album really has nothing more to offer me. For those of you who really dig this type of stuff, the album is produced very well, and is tight as a motherfucker, so you’ll want to pick this one up.
Death's Review:
Beginning with a orchestrated flourish worthy of Braveheart or The Patriot crossed with something the Ewoks might play in their village at the victory party after blowing up the Death Star ("Regalis Apertura"), Kamelot return with their fifth studio release, Karma. Immediately upon the launch of track two, "Forever," we are treated to generally major key, yet at times punishing and powerful, melodic and uplifting power metal. Kind of like Stratovarius meets Hammerfall meets Dream Theater meets Pain of Salvation meets the eighties bands, Dokken and Europe.
"Yes folks, the cheese factor is high here, yet the quality of the musicianship, the confidence of the performers and the excellence of the production cannot be ignored." Yes folks, the cheese factor is high here, yet the quality of the musicianship, the confidence of the performers and the excellence of the production cannot be ignored. Songs like the battle-cry worthy sing-along "Forever" are the most "metal" on the record, yet are still full of "cheesy" backing vocals and a radio-rock vibe at points. In fact, Karma really boils down to a collection of radio rock which has been crossed with technically adventurous metal like Iron Maiden and the best of Helloween. Yet on top of that Kamelot offer even more: the band brings a personal conviction to both the lyrics and music, most evident on "Don't Cry," an homage to guitarist Thomas Youngblood's dead father. I also love the way tunes like "The Spell" suck in you to their catchy little progressive metal, "Pull Me Under" meets Dio's "Sunset Superman" groove on the album's best track, "The Spell". In fact, the darkness of "The Spell," combined with the fact that this song is in a lot of ways much, much cooler than everything else on the record, helps me to realize that Kamelot is a cool, well-produced and talented band, but in a major need of losing its happy little AOR rock vibe.
Will they ever go that direction? Who knows. At least they maintain prog elements, like the three-part "Elizabeth" tale. What I do know though is, overall, Karma is a quality piece of power metal meets European-style (although I believe the band was founded and is based in Tampa) hard rock, and those who can appreciate layered melodic vocals and keys with touches of Iron Maiden and some pounding double-bass drums will definitely want to check this one out.
"Kamelot is a cool, well-produced and talented band, but in a major need of losing its happy little AOR rock vibe."
Hel's Review:
Favorite tracks: "Karma" and "The Spell"What? More power metal? You've got to be kidding! As a matter of fact, Kamelot isn't kidding - not in the slightest. This is an album that stretches the limits of your imagination by creating an imaginative constellation of songs. Is it a concept album, you ask? For a change, I don't think it is. The final three tracks are devoted to telling the story of Elizabeth, but that seems to be the closest we get.
Let's cut to the chase here, I know you're all dying to know if this one is worth your time considering the abundance of power metal albums coming out in the past month or so. Therefore, I will try to make this as clear and succinct as I can: YES. Karma is multifaceted and interesting. The music is extremely well performed, and is enthralling to listen to.
"If you're in it for the mood and the melody, you'll be elated." There is one significant deterrent - much of the album is moderately paced and ballad-y. If you're in it for the mood and the melody, you'll be elated. If you need some speed to keep you interested, or just the occasional blistering passage, you will encounter times when you will need to wait several songs to hear it. But the music is infectious, and you'll soon find yourself crooning along. Sure, it has its cheesy moments, but what power metal album doesn't? This is a must-have for the well informed.
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