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Rating: The Epic Metal genre has always been a niche variant for enthusiasts, but Kamelot is the exception to the rule... capable of blending epic sounds with glimpses of true power metal, their style is truly unmistakable, also thanks to Khan's voice, which makes every Kamelot song their distinctive trademark...
The album consists of songs about 4/5 minutes long, alternating with often recited introductions that seem to come directly from the atmospheres of medieval banquets, of ancient wars... in short, there is a very particular medieval flavor in this album, which however shows some uncertainties... the regular songs are technically good, although their monotonous structure (endless choruses) can be frowned upon. Regarding the revisited genre, we find power metal songs (including the majestic "III Ways to Epica" and the brisk "Descendant Of The Archangel"), slightly sappy but pleasant ballads (On The Coldest Winter Night), and remarkable Epic Rock marches (The Morning After). All of this is surrounded by the enthralling guitar of Youngblood (not a technical monster but still a good guitarist), the excellent drumming contribution from Grillo, while Barry with his bass remains a bit in the shadows...
In conclusion, this surprising Metal band astonishes with the effectiveness of some songs, especially in this LP which is really not bad (superior to previous works like Karma, Fourth Legacy, and Dominion), yet it should be noted that there are still a few too many easy listening and somewhat pop-like influences, but this only helps to attract both metal fans and individuals more inclined towards less hard rock realms...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Prologue (01:07)
"All that you see or seem, is but a dream without a dream"
[Edgar Allan Poe]
02 Center of the Universe (05:26)
Move slowly
Beyond the colors of my eyes
Move slowly
Into the corners of my mind
Rising like the Pegasus
Each and every one of us
Released
Islands in the sea of dreams
Always searching harmony
And peace
All we find
Reject our mind
Don't you wonder why
If the war by heavens gate released desire
In the line of fire someone must have known
That a human heart demands to be admired
Cause in the Center of the Universe
We are all alone
Show me sign of paradise
A place we all would like to go to
Tell me what to sacrifice
So there's a chance for me to want you
All I find
Reject my mind
And I wonder why
If the war by heavens gate released desire
In the line of fire someone must have known
That a human heart demands to be admired
Cause in the Center of the Universe
We are all alone
I have a tale to be told won't you listen tonight
Follow me into the core of the fountain of light
Try to imagine that hope is our ship for the soul
[Over the ocean the quest of your life lies ahead]
Maybe together we'll find there's a place for us all
[Follow the star in your mind, sail along sail along]
03 Farewell (03:41)
Winter's close... and the mountain high
I'll start my journey now
On this planet we call earth we belong
I want to know
Why did god make me feel
There is more to be answered
Maybe god cannot remedy
Our souls if he tried
I seek peace of mind at least
And to know I did my best
I will pray for those I have loved
I must take your farewell
Carried by destiny
Bound to obey
I must take your farewell
Trails of discovery
Lead me an ocean away
No one holds the only truth in his hands
So who am I
To defy even God
In quest for a reason
There's no time to waste I'm afraid
I must take your farewell
Carried by destiny
Bound to obey
I must take your farewell
Trails of discovery
Lead me an ocean away
So far away
When the tide is high
I won't dwell or wait no longer
05 Wander (04:24)
I recall one summer's night
Within the month of June
Flowers in mahogany hair
And smell of earth in bloom
Only such a melody
Comes without a sound
More than faintly heard by those
Who know what they have found
Now it's just a memory
Silently we wander
Into this void of consequence
My shade will always haunt her
But she will be my guiding light
Silently we wander
In search of truth and confidence
So many hopes were lost here
Along the way
From morning to night
Meet me by the wishing well
In cover of the moon
Whisper to me tenderly
That I will see you soon
Sing that song from long ago
So I remember you
Flowers in mahogany hair
And mellow days in June
Only for the memory
Silently we wander
Into this void of consequence
My shade will always haunt her
But she will be my guiding light
Silently we wander
In search of truth and confidence
So many hopes were lost here
Along the way
From morning to night
From ashes we were born
In silence we unite
10 Helena's Theme (01:51)
(HELENA:)
I remember a song
From long ago
Some of the pieces
They remind me of you
How could I know
You were to leave me
I thought that I was that melody
Oh so wrong
I'm but a whisper tonight
And if this is goodbye
I will leave
But I'll love you
Until the end
(RIVER SPIRIT:)
If the grace of God is real
And the word of Christ can heal
Bring their souls to heaven's light
Bless the unborn child tonight
13 Snow (04:18)
I never count on yesterday
Because the past can also change
I'll never give myself away
Life is worthwhile on the edge
Words sound so hollow in the cold
Maybe she's forgotten all
I don't remember how
I felt the night she came
Memories spin around
They flow
Don't want to let her down
Moments disappear like shame...like snow
Signs never told me anything
Nothing I could know for sure
I never knew what she would bring
Or what I am to her today
My words...
Almost swallowed by the snow
Maybe she's forgotten all
I don't remember how
I felt the night she came
Memories spin around
They flow
Don't want to let her down
Moments disappear like shame...like snow
She is the poison in my mind
The thorns in my head
She has no mountain to be climbed
No faults to regret
I never count on yesterday
Because the past may not exist
I'll never give myself away
When there's reason to resist
Words draped in crystals melt away
I don't remember how
I felt the night she came
Memories spin around
They flow
Don't want to let her down
Moments disappear like shame...like snow
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