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Kamelot: Ghost Opera
 Kamelot released what is considered their magnum-opus a few years ago in The Black Halo, so they went back to the studio after the release of the live CD & DVD One Cold Winter's Night to once again create some magic, and the result is Ghost Opera. Just as majestic and powerful as the previous release, Ghost Opera sees the Kamelot formula again in full stride-Khan's soaring vocal delivery, the crunchy guitar work of Thomas Youngblood, plenty of symphonic keyboards from Oliver Palotai, and the tight rhythm section of bassist Glenn Barry & drummer Casey Grillo. Housed within the progressive/power metal framework, the boys have created another winner here of epic proportions.
Since we were not furnished with lyrics for Ghost Opera, I can't really comment on the story behind these tunes, but musically the songs have plenty to offer. "Rule the World" might just be Kamelot's heaviest piece ever, and the title track and "Blücher" feature heavy riffs meshed with gorgeous orchestral keyboards, as well as Khan's vocals devilishly wrapped up in a myriad of effects, adding great drama to these tunes. "Love You to Death" offers some stunning violin work and plenty of prog rock keyboards, while "Mourning Star" is simply a powerful slice of majestic power metal, with a particularly snarling vocal from Khan. I've often been reminded of late 80's Queensryche on the last few Kamelot releases, and that continues here as well, especially on the tender "Anthem" which soars just like "Silent Lucidity" did so many years ago. The heavy number "EdenEcho" has some splendid melodies and rich backing vocals to go along with the driving riffs and majestic keyboard layers, and is one of the best tracks on the CD.
Time will tell if Ghost Opera will be held in the same light as The Black Halo, but I can safely say that it's a damn fine release that should help this veteran band continue their upswing in popularity.
Track Listing
1. Solitaire
2. Rule The World
3. Ghost Opera
4. The Human Stain
5. Blücher
6. Love You To Death
7. Up Through The Ashes
8. Mourning Star
9. Silence Of The Darkness
10. Anthem
11. EdenEcho
12. The Pendulous Fall (bonus track)
Added: July 13th 2007
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score: 
Related Link: Kamelot Website
Hits: 7583
Language: english
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Kamelot: Ghost Opera
Posted by Ken Pierce, SoT Staff Writer on 2007-07-13 06:34:59
My Score:
When Kamelot released "The Black Halo" in 2005 they became the new favorite band to many fans of the Melodic Power Metal genre. Even though they had existed for several years previous and had six other albums under their belt they were treated as if they were overnight superstars by some and based on the quality of the album this was all justifiable and well-deserved. They made a smart move by recording this tour and presenting it on the CD and DVD performance release "One Cold Winter's Night" and once this had been delivered it would be back to the studio to create their next masterpiece. If you are wondering whether lightning could strike twice for the band then let me inform you that it is quite the possibility in my opinion but I will let you determine this for yourself as you enjoy their latest epic "Ghost Opera". The journey begins anew with a melancholy violin piece called "Solitaire" which leads into the tune "Rule The World" and as soon as the crunching groove on this track begins you are reminded of one of Kamelot's key appeals as a Metal band – that is in their ability to bring incredible amounts of drama and feel to the music. Yes other bands do this as well, but Kamelot for some reason just seems to have a natural quality to their style when it comes to this being brought forward. I'm confident that the level of drama presented is mainly based on the way that lead singer Khan does his thing for the moment I first heard him perform I was reminded of the way that Geoff Tate affected me as a vocalist on the older Queensryche material. He is as much an actor during the music as he is the bands singer and together with the guitar talents of Thomas Youngblood they work magic for the sake of Metal. The guitarist shines on the release and is destined to continue his own climb as one of the better axe slingers in the genre so pay attention people.
The adventure continues onto the thunderous "Ghost Opera" title track with the fast paced drumming of Casey Grillo and steady groove of bassist Glen Barry. This track is incredible and one of the best offerings on the release and should you have luckily snared a copy of the limited edition, you would be able to enjoy the video for this song as well since its included on a bonus DVD. The CD also finds the bands newest fulltime member in keyboardist Oliver Palotai who makes sure to bring the majestic symphonic elements to brighter life. Altogether we are left with a very full sounding release and while I don't want to rate this as better than "The Black Halo" because of it being on equal par as far as appeal and quality, I will admit that this comes forth as the next stage in the Kamelot sound. A nice surprise was finding guest stars on this album as they add to the overall appeal of the tracks. Once again we find Epica's Simone Simons for the track "Blucher" and Amanda Somerville offers up vocal backing on a "Love You To Death" and "Mourning Star". I can see these particular tracks becoming fast favorites of the fans of these singers and make Kamelot's star shine ever brighter. "Up Through The Ashes" is a powerful number that brings us back to the time of Christ's Crucifixion and is sung from Pilate's point of view as he stands in judgment over him. This dramatic number is on the slower side which works on the subject matters emphasis but the album overall remains heavy throughout and returns to full Metal gallop during "Silence Of The Darkness". I have to admit that I found the entire album strong and standing up as a worthy next chapter in the book of Kamelot. It has a lot of killer moments to enjoy and like its predecessor "The Black Halo" is an easy to get into CD which allows you to jump on board with what the band is all about.
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Kamelot: Ghost Opera
Posted by Jedd Beaudoin, SoT Staff Writer on 2007-05-14 20:23:48
My Score:
Kamelot's never been a particularly strong contender for the metal god throne: Not particularly original and not particularly adept at crafting memorable, seizure-inducing music, the quintet has long languished just under the surface of the second tier of metal. Ghost Opera does little to change that. Although technically proficient and capable of capturing a particularly strong mood and conveying convincing emotion, there's not much more to Kamelot than a glimmering surface. By this record's midway point the listener has to scramble back to the beginning to remember what came before. Better to drop your coin on an Enchant album than to dive too far into this one.
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Kamelot: Ghost Opera
Posted by Carlos Canales Vega on 2007-06-06 12:02:20
My Score:
I think they peaked here.More ripping solos, better arrangements, more diversity, more emotion, more hooks and soaring choruses.As always, great production values.One of the best albums i've ever heard.
To the criticism of some reviewers about the speed: In The Black Halo you almost didn't have fast songs, in here there are more.So what's the complaint about? Besides, i don't need fast songs, i need awesome songs! And in Ghost Opera you have plenty of: the whole album!
The bonus track is essential too, by the way.
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Kamelot: Ghost Opera
Posted by Xclaimer2006 on 2007-05-30 11:48:11
My Score:
Time will tell if Ghost Circus will be held in the same light as The Black Halo, but I can safely say that it's a damn fine release that should help this veteran band continue their upswing in popularity.
Ghost Circus? LMAO! i thought it was Ghost Opera...
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Kamelot: Ghost Opera
Posted by Martin on 2007-05-25 14:52:52
My Score:
There is one word that describes this album more than any other word: Fresh. This feels insanely modern and cool, and Kamelot has once again made a masterpiece. The Black Halo might be better, but then again, The Black Halo is better than everything. Strongly recommended.
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Kamelot: Ghost Opera
Posted by Grevitis Constantinos on 2007-05-24 07:25:09
My Score:
Perfect Album. More progressive, fresh, combines new sounds and I believe that is going to be one more step up for the band
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