Bleys Phoenixfyre wrote:
Alright, time for my input. I come from a rather new perspective to metal. Only been listening to it for about 2 years now. My bands are somewhat diverse (Sonata Arctica, Blind Guardian, Angra, Demons & Wizards, Stratovarius, Dragonforce, Dragonland, Apocalyptica, to mention a few). The first group of metal songs I really enjoyed were Kamelot's Center of the Universe, Descent of the Archangel, Lunar Sanctum, and The Fourth Legacy, all which are still some of the better songs. Really, Kamelot seems by far the most original group I've heard in my life. They have a certain elegance through the hard driving riffs, and the fact that they don't have to result to "unclean words" is a testament to their lyric writing, using words that actually belong, instead of syllable fillers like fuck. They are one of the only bands that I can say have every single little nuance in their music possible without seeming gaudy (if you've heard Rhapsody, you know what I mean...). Everybody in Kamelot is of the highest quality. Grillo and Barry setting an amazing rythmn section. Youngblood, although highly ranked, is still underrated. Not only does he rip solos to shreads, but he can be subtle enough to slip behind Khan's amazing voice (something which even the mastery of people like Herman Li of Dragonforce have trouble doing). And, well, I praise Khan the highest. Maybe its because I'm a singer myself. Khan's ability to control his power, tone, and purity are truly a testament to how versitle he is.
Since hearing them, I now have collected almost all their Khan-era music. I don't know how they do it, but every time they get better and better. In my mind, when I heard Karma for the first time, I ranked it 100. When Epica came out, well, lets just say to give it a just ranking, I had to lower my rank of Karma. And, well, a ranking system doesn't do justice to Black Halo. I could go on to say how each "killer song" is great, but I don't think you want me to talk about every song. At one point or another, I was obsessed with each song from BH. It may take a good amount of spins, but you'll get hooked. A few things i'd like to say though.
If you really listen to Memento Mori, its really sorta partitioned into 3 parts, so I really can't see how it drags on and gets boring when its evolving so much. Would it help if each part had a specific title of its own?
One thing that makes the album great is that it is a concept album. It's a story through the whole thing. Stories should flow. Thus exists interludes. You can't judge this album song by song; it's not meant to be heard that way!
How is it not fast? songs like When the Lights Are Down and Nothing Ever Dies, although having some slowed parts, beat along at a blinding pace.
Sonata's Recogning Night had plenty of killers (Wildfire, Misplaced, THe Boy Who..., Ain't Your Fairytale), but doesn't hold a candle to Kam. I found White Pearl, Black Ocean to grind that disc to a halt, and drag it. Angra can't match the majestic feel subtly behind Kam's work. Rarely can Blind Guardian even.
Sorry for the long post; i guess I'm very oppinionated. Just that Kamelot, lyrically, musically, and theatrically, are a step above every other band I've heard. And they somehow get better every time. I live in fear of their next release, for either it will have to be a let down, or my head will explode.
I think that if you were to take part in some of the discussions on this board, you will find Kamelot is not very original at all (I'm not saying The Black Halo is bad). You will also find that your list of top bands is not diverse, but rather generic. Don't take offense to this, b/c everybody has been in this state of mind before. Stick around and learn from some of the other people on this board. You will find music you didn't even know existed.
