About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Power metal’s finest explore darker and more progressive sounds.



Pros

• New ideas fused with more progressive elements.
• A collection of excellent guest appearances.
• A crisp and clear production.

Cons

• Some songs may be a little too experimental for Kamelot's standard sound.
• Hard to sit through the album in one uninterrupted listen.

Description

• Released September 14, 2010 by KMG Recordings.
• This is Kamelot’s ninth CD.

• The band’s core is from the U.S.; vocalist Roy Khan is Norwegian and keyboardist Oliver Palotai is German.

Guide Review - Kamelot - 'Poetry For The Poisoned'

The ninth release from American power metalers Kamelot is full of the band’s trademark elements: soaring vocals, cascading melodies, tight musicianship, creative songwriting and melodic dynamics. Poetry for the Poisoned is a powerful mix of progressive elements, modern rock and, of course, power metal.

Founding guitarist Thomas Youngblood, vocalist Roy Khan, drummer Casey Grillo, keyboardist Oliver Palotai and newly rejoined bassist Sean Tibbets have created their most ambitious endeavor yet. Poetry, released on the group’s own label, KMG Recordings, is an emotional journey of power metal grandeur mixed with melancholy moods. It’s lighter on the keyboards this time around and a bit darker than previous outings.

The album initially was written in a cabin in the remote woods in Norway in winter 2009. Sascha Paeth and Michael "Miro" Rodenberg again handle the production, assuring a mix that is as safe and sound as on their previous five releases with Kamelot.

Why mess up a good thing?

The album features several prestigious guest appearances: Gus G (Ozzy, Firewind), Björn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork), Jon Oliva (Savatage/TSO/JOP) and Palotai’s girlfriend, Simone Simons (Epica).

“The Great Pandemonium” starts off with an enchanting female voice and creative syncopated drumbeats. The haunting spoken-word verse and well-known gruff growls from Björn “Speed” Strid mix well with the harmonies while the melody takes on a Middle Eastern flavor. Simone plays off Roy’s voice perfectly on the emotional duet “House on a Hill.” She also is featured on the title track.

Jon Oliva displays his impressive vocals on “The Zodiac.” His raspy operatic vocals contrast well with Roy’s distinctive vocal register, creating a dark and sinister track. New Ozzy axe slinger Gus G really rips on his solo in “Hunters Season,” the warm tone he achieves in Firewind shows up here, too.

Overall, Poetry for the Poisoned is a well-done album with some innovative songs. The question is, will Kamelot fans accept the darker sound and the band’s willingness to step away from the standard power metal elements to introduce a more progressive sound?



Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.