- Audio CD (30 Dec 2002)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Noise
- ASIN: B0000071AH
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 473,391 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Well this is an earlier version of Kamelot,it has quite a nice fat guitar sounding production & the older vocalist.The songs are strong power metal you would expect from Kamelot & quite fast & heavy.The vocals are handled by Mark Vanderbilt & let this album down a little as his replacement Kahn is much better-however this doesnt a bad album make this.We still have Thomas Youngblood on guitar & with his great riffs & melodic soloing still make this a worthwhile purchase & track 10 being a lovely classical piece of music it shows what this band are truly capable of.Kamelot are one of the best power metal bands around & this album is still a classic & somehow they still get better!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In simple terms, I separate Kamelot into two distinct periods: BK and AK (Before Khan and After Khan). `Eternity' (1995) and `Dominion' (1996) fall into the former category during which time the lead vocals were provided by Mark Vanderbilt, whilst later albums have Roy Khan as the lead.
Despite Thomas Youngblood being the principal writer of music across the two periods, there is a distinct change between the two. The earlier albums have a hard and raw power that is more in keeping with what I have heard of the likes of Metallica, Iron Maiden and similar rock groups. Being a simple soul, I put this down to Mark Vanderbilt's vocal style, rather than any major change in song-writing style. (Unfortunately,) I much prefer the voice and style of Roy Khan: what it lacks in raw power, it more than makes up in rich, rounded passion and charisma. So I will probably end up passing on my copies of these two early albums to someone who will appreciate them more.
Having listened to both `Eternity' and `Dominion', it is easy to chart the progress towards the 2007 sound of Kamelot. Even 12 years ago, the clever and effective use of orchestral arrangements with the sound of rock instruments was there, together with an enthusiasm for songs based on legend, myth and fantasy. So, if you like a bit of melodramatic pomp and power, Kamelot may be for you. Just be conscious of the change that takes place after `Dominion' - like me, you may prefer the evolving style, but we all vary in our tastes and preferences.
So, a 3-star rating due to my own 'namby-pamby' taste, but you may rate Mr. Vanderbilt more highly.
Despite Thomas Youngblood being the principal writer of music across the two periods, there is a distinct change between the two. The earlier albums have a hard and raw power that is more in keeping with what I have heard of the likes of Metallica, Iron Maiden and similar rock groups. Being a simple soul, I put this down to Mark Vanderbilt's vocal style, rather than any major change in song-writing style. (Unfortunately,) I much prefer the voice and style of Roy Khan: what it lacks in raw power, it more than makes up in rich, rounded passion and charisma. So I will probably end up passing on my copies of these two early albums to someone who will appreciate them more.
Having listened to both `Eternity' and `Dominion', it is easy to chart the progress towards the 2007 sound of Kamelot. Even 12 years ago, the clever and effective use of orchestral arrangements with the sound of rock instruments was there, together with an enthusiasm for songs based on legend, myth and fantasy. So, if you like a bit of melodramatic pomp and power, Kamelot may be for you. Just be conscious of the change that takes place after `Dominion' - like me, you may prefer the evolving style, but we all vary in our tastes and preferences.
So, a 3-star rating due to my own 'namby-pamby' taste, but you may rate Mr. Vanderbilt more highly.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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8 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Shockingly good for an early work
20 Feb 2008
Format:Audio CD
This album is really, really good. 4.5 stars.
I'm new to Kamelot but not to progressive rock. My current favorite band is Circus Maximus (see 2007's Isolate for the best album of the year), and I've followed Dream Theater, Symph X, Queensryche, and others in the genre for a long time.
Last week I went on a Napster spree and listened to each of Kamelot's albums maybe six or seven times. They all had their distinctions and I could clearly see the evolution of the band over time.
With that said, I'd divide the band's work into "early" (Dominion and Eternity), "late" (The Black Halo and Ghost Opera), and "middle" (all else).
The late stuff was simpler in some sense, as it relies less on shredding and more on full band melodies with richer sounds and better production. The early stuff, including this album, have a lot more shredding, more focus on guitar, and are quite melodic (but melodic mostly in the guitar lines). Although sporting different singers, they all sound like Geoff Tate of Queensryche in my mind. Actually, the singer on this album sounds most like Tate than other appearances.
Which brings me to the basic review of this album. This album has some amazing melodies and awesome, awesome guitar riffs. It has a sound that is very similar to Queensryche's Rage for Order. Guitars sound awfully similar, song structures are similar, and I could almost confuse the singer for Geoff Tate's trademark wide vocal range and low range vibratos. The production, though lacking in comparison to later studio technologies, is pretty good and again on par with Rage for Order.
I think this album is creative and features a lot of twists that make each riff refreshing and new. In some ways, I enjoyed this album more than the band's later works, even though they are widely touted as more "sophisticated." It's, in my mind, a back-to-the-past prog-rock-shredding album representative of the late 80s (except recorded in the mid-90s). And it has its mix of ballads and "power metal" appeal for various listeners.
I might add one more notable point that I think is important, which is that the lyrics are not cheesy, as on some metal albums. In fact, I noticed that NONE of Kamelot's albums sound corny, in the vein of metal dragon & wizards storyland cheese as created by bands such as Dragonforce (who I find to be entirely annoying) and Symphony X (love their music, despise their lyrics).
So if you liked Rage for Order or want to hear "early" Kamelot to round your knowledge beyond The Black Halo, I'd definitely pick this one up.
I'm new to Kamelot but not to progressive rock. My current favorite band is Circus Maximus (see 2007's Isolate for the best album of the year), and I've followed Dream Theater, Symph X, Queensryche, and others in the genre for a long time.
Last week I went on a Napster spree and listened to each of Kamelot's albums maybe six or seven times. They all had their distinctions and I could clearly see the evolution of the band over time.
With that said, I'd divide the band's work into "early" (Dominion and Eternity), "late" (The Black Halo and Ghost Opera), and "middle" (all else).
The late stuff was simpler in some sense, as it relies less on shredding and more on full band melodies with richer sounds and better production. The early stuff, including this album, have a lot more shredding, more focus on guitar, and are quite melodic (but melodic mostly in the guitar lines). Although sporting different singers, they all sound like Geoff Tate of Queensryche in my mind. Actually, the singer on this album sounds most like Tate than other appearances.
Which brings me to the basic review of this album. This album has some amazing melodies and awesome, awesome guitar riffs. It has a sound that is very similar to Queensryche's Rage for Order. Guitars sound awfully similar, song structures are similar, and I could almost confuse the singer for Geoff Tate's trademark wide vocal range and low range vibratos. The production, though lacking in comparison to later studio technologies, is pretty good and again on par with Rage for Order.
I think this album is creative and features a lot of twists that make each riff refreshing and new. In some ways, I enjoyed this album more than the band's later works, even though they are widely touted as more "sophisticated." It's, in my mind, a back-to-the-past prog-rock-shredding album representative of the late 80s (except recorded in the mid-90s). And it has its mix of ballads and "power metal" appeal for various listeners.
I might add one more notable point that I think is important, which is that the lyrics are not cheesy, as on some metal albums. In fact, I noticed that NONE of Kamelot's albums sound corny, in the vein of metal dragon & wizards storyland cheese as created by bands such as Dragonforce (who I find to be entirely annoying) and Symphony X (love their music, despise their lyrics).
So if you liked Rage for Order or want to hear "early" Kamelot to round your knowledge beyond The Black Halo, I'd definitely pick this one up.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Ok, but not as good as later releases
1 April 2004
Format:Audio CD
Musically and melodicaly not as sophisticated as the last three studio albums, but a decent listen nonetheless. Origional singer reminds me a bit of Crimson Glory's, though not as shrill, sometimes he sings a little off key. Music & production not up to latest standards, more like early 80's.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Like Queensyrche's "Rage for Order"? You'll like this...
4 May 2008
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I agree completely with Paul N. below. I had the exact same feelings when listening to this album. And like him, I have just gotten into Kamelot's music, and this was the first album I listened to. So as to not contamimate my ears to the newer works yet.
I was totally impressed. Very, very good album. Very guitar heavy melodies, with Mark Vanderbilt's vocals coming across like early Geoff Tate of the "Rage for Order"/"Operation Mindcrime" era. In fact at times, like Paul said, listening to this album can confuse the listener into thinking it was a long lost Queensryche album.
One of my favorite songs on this is "Call of the Sea". Very erie guitar hook during the chorus. Sounds like something off of "Rage for Order" for sure.
Kamelot's follow-up "Dominion" is quite good too, but not quite as guitar heavy as this one, although still quite powerful. It's obvious that the band started to evolve a bit by then. But there's no denying that Mark Vanderbilt sounds like a Geoff Tate of old.
Good stuff...highly recommended. Be sure to get the reissue, as it may be remastered as well, although it doesn't say so. It sounds too good not to be.
I was totally impressed. Very, very good album. Very guitar heavy melodies, with Mark Vanderbilt's vocals coming across like early Geoff Tate of the "Rage for Order"/"Operation Mindcrime" era. In fact at times, like Paul said, listening to this album can confuse the listener into thinking it was a long lost Queensryche album.
One of my favorite songs on this is "Call of the Sea". Very erie guitar hook during the chorus. Sounds like something off of "Rage for Order" for sure.
Kamelot's follow-up "Dominion" is quite good too, but not quite as guitar heavy as this one, although still quite powerful. It's obvious that the band started to evolve a bit by then. But there's no denying that Mark Vanderbilt sounds like a Geoff Tate of old.
Good stuff...highly recommended. Be sure to get the reissue, as it may be remastered as well, although it doesn't say so. It sounds too good not to be.
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