Kamelot - Haven

Man, I love Kamelot - and if you're a power metal fan, you probably love them too.Venerable power metal band Kamelot has been kicking substantial ass for so long I had always assumed they were some old school metal band - like straight out of Germany or somewheres. Funny thing is, I often have looked them up only to see they're from freakin' Tampa, but whenever I don't listen to them for a while and a new album comes out I totally forget they're not European (Yeah, I know Tommy Karevik's Swedish, and Oliver Palotai's from Germany).

My point is, Kamelot's brand of power metal has always been of that particularly European variety, full of the emotion and grandeur that defines that specific sub-genre. I often conflate them with Italy's Labÿrinth, who also were formed in the early 90s. Which brings us to their latest effort, Haven.

Tracks like Veil of Elysium have that great galloping rhythym that's a (personally beloved) hallmark of European metal. But where Iron Maiden, who popularized the technique, would make straight ahead metal, power metal bands introduce the emotional component that lends the overblown themes a kind of gravitas that's easily missed. this is one of Kamelot's greatest strengths; making epic, even operatic metal songs that still rock and without verging into the realm of self-parody. It's consistently good stuff, and metalheads should be on this tip already.

The Bottom Line: What can I say? It's Kamelot, and they've been around long enough to deserve metalheads' appreciation. Newcomers should just know that this is classic power metal from an American band that's so good at it, you'd swear they're European. Got it?

- Genghis knows these dudes are gonna be here in December *rubs hands together*...