Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Kamelot - Karma (2001)
Kamelot have been active for around 3 decades now. I've heard of them for over 8 years now, as one of the first ever power metal bands I've listened to and in my personal power metal Big 4 (besides DragonForce, Power Quest, and Dragonland). Their journey began with the underground trio of Eternity, Dominion, and Siege Perilous, which are pretty great but not perfect. It was The Fourth Legacy and this album Karma that brought in the perfection I still love to this day, that continues in Epica and The Black Halo!
The vocals in many of Kamelot's albums are the best I've heard in power metal. Those male clean vocals by Roy Khan are slightly better than Sonata Arctica and Rhapsody of Fire. Khan shines with his great vocal range that stays in key. Also the female vocals that appeared in a couple songs from The Fourth Legacy can be found in this album...
One of the greatest power metal album intros I've heard is "Regalis Apertura", a superb epic overture without going too bombastic. Simple yet excellent! Then comes a personal favorite of mine, the fast "Forever", still remaining a live staple for the band. "Wings of Despair" is another one of the most triumphant songs in power metal, also fast with the guitars leading the way. The chorus really drags me in with its catchy delivery. "The Spell" is enjoyable with spooky keyboards.
The ballad "Don't You Cry" was written in memory of the late father of founding guitarist Thomas Youngblood. The soft music is big on the strings played by a string quartet. It's not weak by any means, but it can take a while to get used to it. The aforementioned female vocals first appear in the title track and sound quite eerie. Nonetheless, it's my ultimate favorite of the album, and one of the best Kamelot songs I still enjoy. "The Light I Shine on You" shows nice guitar crunch and soloing. The guitars in "Temples of Gold" range from acoustic to electric. It's actually a better ballad than the other one here and one of my favorite ballads from the band, though I'm a more "upbeat" listener.
"Across the Highlands" is often confusing and a bit unlike the other songs here. Not really the strongest, but maintaining the album's grandeur. Then the 3-part 12-minute closing epic suite "Elizabeth", based on Elizabeth Bathory, begins with the atmospheric "Mirror Mirror". The female vocals return in the second part "Requiem for the Innocent" which I still enjoy as much as a lot of the album. The catchy final part of the suite and album, "Fall From Grace" ends it all on a fast sinister note.
The album itself ends with nearly 7 minutes of silence in an attempt to round off the band's 5th album's length at exactly 55:55. That pointless aspect aside, Karma keeps up Kamelot's peak streak, though the greatness started with The Fourth Legacy. You can find greatness in the vocals, choruses, and medieval-sounding melodies, all in perfect production. Even the artwork is amazing! Karma remains one of the best power metal albums even after distancing away from the majority of the genre. I would recommend this to fans of Sonata Arctica, Rhapsody of Fire, and Pagan's Mind who like those other bands more than I do. Any metalhead should enjoy this grand offering!
Favorites: "Forever", "Wings of Despair", "The Spell", "Karma", "Temples of Gold", "Elizabeth" (complete suite)