Kamelot returns with yet another killer release. Honestly
this doesn't surprise me the least. The more time passes, the more this band
improve their albums, adding more emotions, a more complex song writing, and
this originality factor we've come to expect from them. Epica is no
exception, and without any doubts the band's most achieved album to date. Once
again Sasha Paeth and Miro's production flies on tops of the highest mountains,
delivering a pure (virtual) orchestral experience, enhancing Kamelot's
incredibly beautiful (not to mention meaningful) songs and anthems.
Like it's predecessor, the incredible Karma, Epica starts
with two killer songs in your face. It will take you several days to digest
those 2 songs my friends. Center Of The Universe and Farewell
can pretty much be compared to their counterparts of the Karma album
(Forever & Wings Of Despair). Kamelot
music has always been beautiful but quite sad at the same time, with sometime
depressive songs, but Epica is a bit more epic and less sad, and that's
a welcome change (though only subtlety noticeable). The guitar riffs and arrangements
are belonging to another world, quite fast yet so magnificent that even non
metal fans can listen to these songs. The piano violins twin combination is
once again winner here and Kamelot might not have been what it is today without
this special touch in their sound. This album is more complex than before as
per the song-writing, being borderline progressive at time, with incredible
breaks and original instrument use. Kamelot even delivers you a metal tango
song (Lost & Damned), a first as long as I'm concerned :). Like
for Fourth Legacy, this album have some arabic influences as well from
time to time. Epica adds epic choirs à la Rhapsody
to their list of incredible arrangements, adding even more depth than before
to some of their songs. While listening to this album, no-one can deny the progression
of this band. When I put back Siege Perilous in my player, I have trouble
with the production, lots of things are missing in the sound and I can't even
finish the album, I immediately feel the need to grasp previous albums and listen
to these incredible songs that are Fourth Legacy, Forever,
Wings Of Despair and now Center Of The Universe and Farewell
(I really welcome a future best-of Kamelot !). Don't get me
wrong, I like most of Kamelot's songs (either fast or slow
ones), it's just that the one's I cited are somewhat killers of killers songs
and of course my all-time favorite from this epic band !
The album contains some slow, mid-tempo songs/moments and their impact on the
listening experience is truly divine. There isn't one single boring moment,
expect maybe for a few seconds in some interludes, which by the way don't really
add much to the album I think (at least some of them).
Simply one of the best bands around (in their category of course, since not
everyone like Melodic True Metal). Deep, emotion-packed songs, with lots of
spirit and nice technical parts, not to mention majestic melodies. If melody
(and symphony) is your game : then Kamelot is definitely a
band for you. An incredible listening experience from start to end : this album
will surely be one of the main sensation of 2003 and a perfect way to start
the year metal-wise. Don't miss Epica for the world ! ... long live
Kamelot.