Kamelot
The Black Halo

April 2005
Released: 2005, SPV
Rating: 5.0/5
Reviewer: EvilG

For the past 5 years Kamelot has been no stranger to these pages. Their unwavering path to perfection continues with THE BLACK HALO, the band’s first release for SPV. If you’ve been into the band over the past 5 years you will no doubt love the new album. Some minor changes are in store, but nothing drastic as the band matures into one of the world’s top notch power/prog/melodic-metal bands.



On THE BLACK HALO the band doesn’t go for the accelerator as much. Thankfully there are still speedy songs because this is what first attracted many to the band, myself included. There is also not quite as much in the way of over the top guitar soloing. Of course the solos are still there, but it sounds as if the band is thinking more along the lines of the song because unless you are really looking for it, you won’t notice them. I’m not sure how he did it, but vocalist Roy Kahn has managed to squeeze even more emotion into his already amazing vocal performance. His vocal control and vibrato is astounding. There is still orchestration on the new album, but it doesn’t sound at all overdone. The band has used some guest vocalists, the oddest one being Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir on the track “March of Mephisto”. After you hear the song, it won’t seem as odd of a match as it seems. Shagrath is also in the video for the song. Currently, I’d have to say that this one is my favorites on the album. Hot on its heels though is “The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)” which features duet (female) vocalist Simone Simons. Every song on here is ace, the ballads are not quite as exciting, but that’s because this reviewer has never been much for ballads. As far as ballads go, they are listenable and do not make one want to hit the skip button like some bands’ ballads do! Rather than run through run every song on here, let’s leave it to you, the listener, to discover the brilliance that is THE BLACK HALO.



With THE BLACK HALO, Kamelot has once again proven that they are on a whole other plateau above and beyond most bands in their style of metal. If you at all like prog/power/melodic metal, and have yet to check into Kamelot, I feel sorry for you. It’s never too late to discover this amazing band though! For fans of the band, I’m sure you’ve already bought the new album, and if you were holding off on buying it…don’t because you will not be disappointed.