Kamelot - Haven review
| Band: | Kamelot |
| Album: | Haven |
| Style: | Symphonic power metal |
| Release date: | May 2015 |
01. Fallen Star
02. Insomnia
03. Citizen Zero
04. Veil Of Elysium
05. Under Grey Skies [feat. Charlotte Wessels and Troy Donockley]
06. My Therapy
07. Ecclesia
08. End Of Innocence
09. Beautiful Apocalypse [feat. Charlotte Wessels]
10. Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy) [feat. Alissa White-Gluz]
11. Here's To The Fall
12. Revolution [feat. Alissa White-Gluz]
13. Haven
14. The Ties That Bind [Japanese bonus]
15. At First Light [vinyl bonus]
Roy Khan is back!
That's what I thought anyway upon hearing the first notes of Haven. I actually double-checked the promo information from the label just to make sure after I got home. The point being, Tommy Karevik does a really admirable job in the vocal department and sounds just like his predecessor 95% of the time, and that's a blessing as well as a curse.
It's a blessing because as I listened to the album, the thought "I wonder how would the album sound like if Roy was still with the band?" never came across my mind. Naturally, the curse is that it really puts the rest of the band and the actual music into the spotlight with that vocalist-change issue is no longer a distraction. Obviously, the band members are all accomplished musicians, so we can't expect them to forget how to play their instruments, and Sasha Paeth didn't lose his production chops. In fact, the performance is top notch as usual (which includes Tommy), and the synergy between Sasha and Kamelot remains strong as ever. What remains is the song-writing, which is arguably one of the hardest aspects to nail for any album.
For fans of the band, most would likely be happy to hear that the formula for each Kamelot album is mostly unchanged, while the symphonic parts in conjunction with the drumming sounds more ominous and even more cinematic at times. There are no compromises made in terms of heaviness and their trademark dark velvet hues, which is always a positive in my book, and perhaps it's more of a case of Tommy Karevik being more comfortable with the band rather than song-writing, the songs and/or the vocal performance feels more emotional. Each and every song is more solid and engaging compared to past albums where quite a few songs just seem to completely fly over my head.
But? There's always a "but," right? This album really lacks that killer song. Sure, Alissa White-Gluz makes a return, while Troy Donockley of Nightwish and Delain's Charlotte Wessels are also featured, and despite the increased level of consistency for the rest of the album, I can't find the signature tracks like I can from the previous albums, such as "Ghost Opera" (or "Rule The World") in Ghost Opera and "Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)" in Silverthorn etc. Heck, even Poetry For The Poisoned had "The Great Pandemonium"!
To his credit, Thomas Youngblood did an admirable job in putting Haven together, and while the overall quality of the album is higher, the lack of that - dare I use the term - "hit song" has negatively affected my impression of the album as it gives me less of a go-to reason to give the album a spin, especially when the band has such an impressive back catalogue to compare against. Nonetheless, for those who have been yearning for new material from the band or are still seeking their dosage of good power metal in 2015 will find quite a lot to like here.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 7 |
| Production: | 8 |
 | Written on 03.05.2015 by Ag Fox loves listening to music but is far from being a prolific writer. This corner just shows how territorial he is. |
Rating:
6.8
6.8
|
Rating: 6.8 |
Kamelot, a band responsible for many great hits in the power/symphonic metal scene, have recently issued their second full-length studio album, Haven, featuring their new frontman Tommy Karevik. The band stated this album is a throwback attempt, back to The Black Halo era, which brings their recent rather controversial songwriting knack to the test. Read more ›› |
Comments
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Comments: 53
Visited by: 670 users
| M C Vice ex-polydactyl Posts: 3360  |
If I hadn't known Kahn had left, I would have thought it was him on Silverthorn, too.
---- "Another day, another Doug." "I'll fight you on one condition. That you lower your nipples." " 'Tis a lie! Thy backside is whole and ungobbled, thou ungrateful whelp!"
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| Etaín Posts: 4329  |
Poor Khan .. I know Karevik has a similar sound to his voice, but to not be able to hear one from the other is quite an offence imo  From what ive heard of this so far it sounds exaclty as the previous one, completely uninspired and generic. Everything they've thrown into the world since '99 has been so very good. These two last releases just make me kinda sad.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61186  |
Never liked this band, IMO its US version about euro flower metal and one of rare cases where short haired singer and all about this band looks lame, like hipster poser... like I said hair is nothing to do whit metal , but singer looks like some banker ... something don't work in this band .. maybe they should as Micheal Kiske .. same time in last years start hate Alise White Gluz ..and AE (vegans are healthy they say they eat so healthy, how came she is little fat? ) ... that video or song I heard because ms news, well it was good, but its band image what scares me away
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die''  apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| ManiacBlasphemer Black Knight Posts: 1085  |
Written by Bad English on 03.05.2015 at 12:40 You say that you never liked this band and the only thing you complain about is the singer's hairstyle? Come on... maybe Kamelot today is not in top shape, but in their middle era they could rival any prog power metal band from around the world. Seriously, how many bands can put out something quality-wise as good as Epica or The Black Halo? Before Gentle Storm's The Diary came out, these were the last two concept albums that clicked with me, concept wise and musicall wise. Also, Kamelot is not the kind of band that jumps in a trend, copies some other prestigious band' sound and leech from it. They have their own signature sound, a very recognizable one, and a tight performance.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61186 |
Written by ManiacBlasphemer on 03.05.2015 at 14:42 Old days it was OK, I agree, but most we know this band is of lame era, but still band image is week IMO
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Ellinor Posts: 75  |
Extremely generic and boring album. This is simply not the same band that gave us The Fourth Legacy or Karma...
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| Ag Fox Angel No More Elite Posts: 4774  |
I want to know which bank Bad English goes to. Have yet to meet bankers sporting this type of style. Anyway, for those complaining about the album being generic, please name me a power metal album released in 2015 that tops this.
---- loves 小巫
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| Joe Zombie Posts: 540  |
Written by Ag Fox on 03.05.2015 at 17:44 I'm inclined to say Stormcrow even though I liked this album as well. I agree with your review, especially regarding the lack of a "hit" song. Fallen Star and Insomnia are great tracks though.
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| Chriwalker Posts: 16  |
Wow, good score even if I disagree with the reviewer on some points.. I didn't feel like Khan was back at all, okay I had a little moment in "Here's to the Fall" but that's it. And I think that was a good thing. Kamelot is for me personally back in top shape, but I am one of those who loved Poetry and Silverthorn (so I guess my opinion don't matter). And there are many great tracks on this album, hell all of them are great! The Opener is solid and opens up the album. and ends with one of the most brutal songs Kamelot has ever written (not including the outro. Karevik shows that he is integrated and releases some amazing vocals on this album. I give it a solid 10. Top tracks: Fallen Star, Beautiful Apocalypse, Liar Liar and Revolution.
---- Chris D.
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| Fisheth Posts: 8 |
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| Nihil Aeternum Posts: 127  |
Written by Chriwalker on 03.05.2015 at 18:22 I also liked Silverthorn ... and our opinions do matter. With respect to Bad English's comment: Are there really "metal fans" out there who judge a band by the hair length of the musicians and not by their music? I have also short hair. Does this say something about me? How does a band that plays awesome music have to look like?
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| Susan Smeghead Elite Posts: 6941  |
Very well-written review. Piqued my interest for certain aspects while providing enough caution  It's disappointing to hear that the new singer hasn't found his own voice yet with this band. That's really vital because a great vocal performance can MAKE certain songs the special ones. It's also disappointing to hear that it sounds like they're covering up their lack of great music with a bunch of guest stars. Eeek. Anything is better than the abysmally generic Silverthorn, though. And as a once enormous fan of this band, I do have hope that there will be something to love on this one! Can't wait to see them live in a few weeks; perhaps that will get me back on board with this group 
---- "A life all mine Is what I choose At the end of my days" --The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
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| Ag Fox Angel No More Elite Posts: 4774 |
Written by Susan on 03.05.2015 at 20:04thanks (= I don't think he ever will tbh. Personally, I want him to use his own voice, but it seems like (which has more or less been hinted at by the review) the band wanted him to impersonate Roy to make up for his departure. A prettier way of saying it is asking him to use the "Kamelot voice". And because he has had more time to practice, he's become better at it. If that is indeed the decision by the band, I'm fine with it. I'll just treat it like a normal Kamelot album and the spotlight is definitely on how well the songs have been written.
---- loves 小巫
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| Reaper_Redeemer Posts: 744  |
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| SoUnDs LiKe PoP Posts: 1060 |
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| SoUnDs LiKe PoP Posts: 1060 |
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61186 |
Written by Ellinor on 03.05.2015 at 16:33 you're a veteran, why ppl expect good albums nowadays? good albums will come from new bands, not old ones
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Nihil Aeternum Posts: 127 |
Written by Bad English on 03.05.2015 at 23:34 Yeah, let's hype new bands and then tear them into pieces and hate them when they have success or at the latest when they release their first album that sounds the same or that sounds different. 
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61186 |
Written by Nihil Aeternum on 03.05.2015 at 23:49 ¨ yeah but why then rest of most of metalheads say omgh nw albums sucks, blahagahahha all the time,
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Shmyt Posts: 84  |
IIRC Thomas has said he is keeping Roy's style rather than expanding his own to cater to fans and not change anytging too quickly.
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| SoUnDs LiKe PoP Posts: 1060 |
Written by Bad English on 03.05.2015 at 23:56 "Most" metalheads say Nightwish sucks? Are you just completely pulling things out of your ass, now, or...?
---- I lift weights and listen to metal
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61186 |
Written by SoUnDs LiKe PoP on 04.05.2015 at 01:05
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| ManiacBlasphemer Black Knight Posts: 1085 |
Written by Bad English on 03.05.2015 at 23:56 It's not about what other people say here. Nightwish, same like Kamelot, for the last 3 albums has not been in top shape either. But they did not make catastrophic works like other older bands did (take Sepultura after Max Cavalera left, or Queensryche after Chris De Garmo left and before Tate's dismisal). Frankly, I do not fucking care what other people say about albums, not until I listen them myself and see what it's worth. What you're doing here is 'appeal to authority', and unless you can show who are those 'most of metalheads', your argument is invalid.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61186 |
Written by ManiacBlasphemer on 04.05.2015 at 01:20 true... well but NW has attitude, this band image and all about band is like I don't know, band needs more 'metal' image, otherwise it remainds me my teenage friend who hangw hit us because we metaslheads were cool and he thought he will get a chick
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| musclassia Staff Posts: 7116  |
Written by Bad English on 04.05.2015 at 01:31 Utter bs. No band needs to have a more 'metal' image. Looking more 'metal' doesn't make your music any better or more authentic, more like it comes across as trying to win fans based upon appealing to the 'metal culture' and all the cheap and cheesy sentiments that come with that rather than letting their actual music do the talking. Kamelot can look however they want (and anyway I prefer their image to the crap Manowar pulls) as long as the music is good. On that front, I will be highly surprised if I agree with the reviewer and some of the other reviews I've come across if the rest of the album is anything like the 2 songs that have already been released, but I'll wait until I've heard the album until I comment on that front. I just found this rambing nonsense so ridiculous I couldn't refrain from saying something.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61186 |
Written by musclassia on 04.05.2015 at 01:43 agree but this band don't work that way even musically
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Nihil Aeternum Posts: 127 |
Written by Bad English on 04.05.2015 at 01:31 Are you so badly sloshed?
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61186 |
Written by Nihil Aeternum on 04.05.2015 at 01:58 not me, fan goys and girls are
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| Nihil Aeternum Posts: 127 |
Written by Bad English on 04.05.2015 at 01:31 I am so sure that Tommy Karevik would love to hang out with you because you are so cool, but you will get all the "chicks" and he will be left out in the cold. You ruin your reputation with posts like this, Bad English. Over and out.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61186 |
Written by Nihil Aeternum on 04.05.2015 at 02:30 I did not say hair is anything to do and no, I don't think so... IMO band needs different vocalist totally diferent
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - ''Speak English or Die'' apos;'[image] I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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