•
Rating: The climb to success for Kamelot seems unstoppable, and this album, "Ghost Opera," a new exciting chapter in the saga of the American combo, is here to dispel any shadow of doubt. Do you see this cover? Love it or hate it, it hints at a shift towards certain gothic themes, partially already undertaken with the previous "The Black Halo." The omen is, however, auspicious: today we are no longer facing the good but predictable speed metal band of the early days, nor a medieval rhapsodic ensemble disguised as power metallers as in the times of "Epica," but a quintet (keyboardist Oliver Palotai has become a permanent member of the lineup) that no longer has any fear of daring, of blending with perfect ease the most popular metal genres of recent years, enriching the power heritage of the previous work with masterly symphonic contours, futuristic-tinged vocal distortions, and velvety gothic sinuosity.
It may not be their most beautiful album, but "Ghost Opera" has the good taste to amaze both the fan and the occasional listener, to ensnare them in its mischievous web, to tame them with orchestral passages worthy of the best acts of the genre. Thomas Youngblood's guitar virtuosity is an old acquaintance and Sasha Paeth's clear production is as effective as always, but the undisputed director of this magnificent work remains the voice of the Norwegian singer Roy Khan (a true distinctive mark of Kamelot, as well as one of the best in the current metal scene), today more than ever imbued in a role of absolute importance that favors interpretation over power.
After a brief violin introduction ("Solitaire"), the air is immediately heated by "Rule the World," rarefied in atmosphere by Arabian tones but as powerful as a boulder in rhythm, and by the title track, skillful and intelligent in creating a perfect mix of power (in the rhythms), gothic (in the murky atmosphere enhanced by impetuous orchestrations), and prog (in the refrain that almost recalls Ayreon). "The Human Stain" represents the first real innovation: simplified but roaring and modern guitar structures suddenly find themselves duetting with possessed piano chimes in a real gothic anthem, supported by a truly over-the-top interpretation behind the microphone. Leaving aside its rhythmic section practically identical to that of any song from Epica's "Consign to Oblivion" (the same Simone Simons enriches the chorus), we can say that "Blücher" represents the second surprise of the album: the use of the vocoder proves very effective in wrapping Kamelot's music in darkness and nighttime mystery. Promises of eternal love fill the almost Japanese candor of "Love You to Death," a romantic semi-ballad in which it is the vocal contrast between the host and guest Amanda Sommerville (Aina) that steals the show (not forgetting the remarkable role of the orchestra and the lead guitar), while "Up Through the Ashes" is so epic and devastating that it does not allow even a glimpse of light, makes your skin crawl with its apocalyptic verve.
Gregorian chants introduce "The Morning Star," only to abandon it between the coils of a pleasant orchestral episode once again similar to what the Dutch cousins Epica propose (the union between the two bands seems to have become of primary importance; we will see what the splendid Simone and her companions will be able to offer us with the new album currently scheduled for September). "Silence of the Darkness" is the transposition of the most intense episodes of the two previous albums in this new semi-gothic guise, where everything is quite canonical except for the superb keyboard score, while "Anthem" is a sweet ballad that earns the award for the best song of the album, in which echoes an age-old sadness worthily enclosed in Khan's moving vocal lines and the first-class cinematic-orchestral arrangement. The dances are closed by a superb and overwhelming "EdenEcho", endowed with a monumental string section, alluring piano passages, and a finale complete with lyric choirs perfectly embedded in the concluding act of an outrageously epic and romantic album.
The small inflection towards the rules of the market has not led the band to the slightest physiological drop: although the songwriting has been softened, I was not able to find a single underwhelming track or another unattractive one. Among particular evolutions, some emotional peaks, and many other beautiful tracks, "Ghost Opera" is destined to remain a solid chapter in the discography of this great band, meticulously professional, coherent, and increasingly in tune with the times without completely distorting the trademark created over the years.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Ghost Opera (04:06)
Walls so white
When your sorrows have a name
And day is dark as night
There's no remorse and no redemption
Close the door, can you hear the crowd is waiting
For a last encore
Screaming out for my attention
Chanting my name
Welcome all
to curtain call
at the opera
raging voices in my mind
rise above the orchestra
like a crescendo of gratitude
this is my song
Like the dead
I am on the other side
they're howling in my head
there's no remorse and no redemption
hush my dear
let the music fill the night
and soon it's all we hear
screaming out for my attention
Chanting my name
Chanting my name
Welcome all
to curtain call
at the opera
raging voices in my mind
rise above the orchestra
like a crescendo of gratitude
Don't wake me until it's over
I... I may be dreaming away
Chanting my name
Chanting my name
Welcome all
to curtain call
at the opera
raging voices in my mind
rise above the orchestra
Welcome all
to curtain call
at the opera
raging voices in my mind
rise above the orchestra
05 Blücher (04:03)
Dim is the light of a new day
In the land of the undying sun
Hollow the silence around me
Distant the sound of a gun
Port side is close to the shore
I wonder where she is
Incoming shot cross the bow
Will she remember me
(Chorus)
Veil my April moon
God forsaken soul
I remember you
Come with me tonight
(Verse 2)
Damned is the dawn of a new day
Revelations of death and despair
Frost misty waters around me
Frantic and naked the fear
Port side is close to the shore
Incoming shot cross the bow
(Chorus)
Veil my April moon
God forsaken soul
I remember you
Come with me tonight
(Verse 3)
Say your prayers
Loud and clearly
All who still believe in God
Port side is close to the shore
Incoming shot cross the bow
(Chorus)
Veil my April moon
God forsaken soul
I remember you
Come with me tonight
07 Up Through the Ashes (04:59)
So you can heal
They claim with conviction
You got a crowd
So what's your appeal
Your voice
Your predictions
They're getting loud
Well if I let you die
You must forgive me
Raise me up
Up through the ashes
[Welcome the paradise you made]
Take me on
Into the light
You want to die
Create a sensation
Be making the news
An eye for an eye
My king of creation
King of the jews
Before I let you die
You must forgive me
Raise me up
Up through the ashes
[Welcome the paradise you made]
Take me on
Into the light
Give me sign of remorse
I don't need your blood
You will hang on the cross
For playing god
You the people must decide
The self proclaimed prophet
Or the malice murderer
The king or the convict
It's up to you
So tell me
Who's free to go
(Barabbas, Barabbas, Barabbas!)
Raise me up
Up through the ashes
[Forgive my every sin]
Take me on
Into the light
10 Anthem (04:24)
What's the miracle, if life itself is not?
Who am I to praise this word with a hymn?
I may stumble over words that I forgot,
Just as life itself slowly begins.
Sing me a song for the mountains to move,
Sing me the anthem of life,
Sing me the anthem of life.
I'm skeptical, I like my glass of wine,
I don't know your name, or what I am to do.
One day you'll wonder why I read between the lines,
And you will sing for me, the way I sang for you.
Sing me a song for the ocean to part,
Sing me the anthem of life,
Sing me the anthem of life,
Sing me the anthem of life.
And so another page is turned,
I pray I understand what's happening,
But if anything, I do know this,
I'll be the best I can.
Sing me a song like the angels rejoice,
Sing me an anthem of life,
Sing me the anthem,
Sing me the anthem of life.
11 EdenEcho (04:13)
First you said that you would never leave me
Merry were my days
Then you told me life is never easy
And left without a trace
But how come I want you
Like the soil yearns for the rain
Won't you light up
Won't you light up my life
Let my soul breathe
Tell me wrong tell me right
You're my mind cage
Like a mountain far away
You were always there
Dressed in summer white
You will never know how much I miss you
Or open to my fear
Find a place I make my way through
Enter if you dare
How come I want you
Like the soil yearns for the rain
Won't you light up
Won't you light up my life
Let my soul breathe
Tell me wrong tell me right
You're my mind cage
Like a mountain far away
You were always there
Dressed in summer white
Remember my name
And paint the darkness with your light
You'll sing your song for all broken hearted
Like Eden echoes in my head
The unforgiven gave you all
Won't you light up
Won't you light up my life
Let my soul breathe
Tell me wrong tell me right
You're my mind cage
Like a mountain far away
You were always there
Dressed in summer white
Loading comments slowly
