By: Anders

Posted: May 23, 2007

Kamelot is already ready with a new full length album following the quite successful "The Black Halo" from 2005 and the great double live album/DVD from last fall "One Cold Winter's Night". The band must have hit a creative peak out of the extraordinary, because nothing on "Ghost Opera" signals a tired band, instead we see an energetic and sparkling Kamelot delivering the atmospheric and epic metal the are so acknowledged for.

The songwriting is amazing, all songs smothers the listener and draws he or her into the world of "Ghost Opera". The atmospheres paints the mental state of whoever opens ones mind towards the tones from the album. At first, the music seems a bit closed, though after a few spins, the album opens and blossoms, into the multi-coloured flower it is. The musical side of things are amazing as well, I guess none of you familiar with the band did expect less, though it is incredible how Youngblood can keep the guitar riffs, solos, melodies and so forth flowing, and the drumming from Grillo is over the top, he never steals the picture, but his flow and skills makes it a dream to follow his drumming through out the album. The bass lines are something to follow as well, Barry has his own style, recognizable and hard hitting and often very fast, a pleasure. The keyboards are delivered with style and thoughtfulness, adding to the whole atmosphere, building up the music to peaks, beautiful work. And let's not forget Khan's vocals, that man can sing, I can only imagine him on stage, though to follow him on studio recordings are amazing as well. He follows the atmospheres and directions in the music, never off the main theme and he adds so much to the whole of the band, he can differ his vocals a lot, both with an without effects, one of my favourite vocalists.

When listening to the album, when you give yourself into it and let yourself soak into the music and atmosphere, it's almost like witnessing a play, the stories told through the music, atmospheres and vocals are amazing, and very gripping, it is quite tough not just to let the album spin and spin, and leave oneself stuck in the universe of "Ghost Opera". One of the best and complete albums I've heard in quite a while, this must be experienced. Though for the full effect, you need a good chair, good headphones, darkness, candle lights, a good wine and a few hours or more!

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