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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Solitaire |
| 2. Rule the World |
| 3. Ghost Opera |
| 4. The Human Stain |
| 5. Blucher |
| 6. Love You To Death |
| 7. Up Through the Ashes |
| 8. Mourning Star |
| 9. Silence Of the Darkness |
| 10. Anthem |
| 11. Eden Echo |
| 12. The Pendulous Fall |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I always preferred the live sound of Kamelot, finding the sound to produced and muffled in the studio, but this album has improved vastly on the past ones, with the sound clear, and well-produced.
Ok, the classical opening does seem to be becoming a bit of a fad, strange how this album follows an album by Dutch rockers (and Kamelot friends) Epica with an orchestral opening, but I like it, and fad or not, it is certainly not something I object to.
The title track is a highlight for me. I loved the different time signature, rather than the usual poppy 4/4 used by most bands.
Song such as "Love You To Death" and "The Human Stain" had me singing along very happily.
The slow song of the album, "Anthem" was one of few that I can really get into. It didn't seem to be put there by necessity, or because the studio told them to. It felt considered, and worked on.
I do have a few niggling problems with the album. First and foremost being that on the song "Blücher" which is a fantastic song, but I was saddened to notice that Simone Simons beautiful vocals were pushed so far into the background. So much so that I didn't notice them until I read the booklet.
Another problem is that some of the songs struck me as a bit weak, and filler. But then, it may be that I just haven't given them a chance...you tell me...
Am I the only one who noticed that some songs did sound curiously like Epica songs? I am not sure if I object to it or not, I do like Epica, after all.
It is certainly good to see Kamelot develop, and progress beyond tried and tested formulas of the past, and come out with a fresh, certainly darker album than before. I certainly can't fault the guitar playing of Thomas Youngblood and Sascha Paeth. or the vocals of Roy Khan, who sounds more powerful than ever. In fact, I think his voice has developed a more mature and manly sound than before.
Khans miming in the video has improved as well.
Ok, the classical opening does seem to be becoming a bit of a fad, strange how this album follows an album by Dutch rockers (and Kamelot friends) Epica with an orchestral opening, but I like it, and fad or not, it is certainly not something I object to.
The title track is a highlight for me. I loved the different time signature, rather than the usual poppy 4/4 used by most bands.
Song such as "Love You To Death" and "The Human Stain" had me singing along very happily.
The slow song of the album, "Anthem" was one of few that I can really get into. It didn't seem to be put there by necessity, or because the studio told them to. It felt considered, and worked on.
I do have a few niggling problems with the album. First and foremost being that on the song "Blücher" which is a fantastic song, but I was saddened to notice that Simone Simons beautiful vocals were pushed so far into the background. So much so that I didn't notice them until I read the booklet.
Another problem is that some of the songs struck me as a bit weak, and filler. But then, it may be that I just haven't given them a chance...you tell me...
Am I the only one who noticed that some songs did sound curiously like Epica songs? I am not sure if I object to it or not, I do like Epica, after all.
It is certainly good to see Kamelot develop, and progress beyond tried and tested formulas of the past, and come out with a fresh, certainly darker album than before. I certainly can't fault the guitar playing of Thomas Youngblood and Sascha Paeth. or the vocals of Roy Khan, who sounds more powerful than ever. In fact, I think his voice has developed a more mature and manly sound than before.
Khans miming in the video has improved as well.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Vinyl
ICED EARTH, ACCEPT, and KAMELOT (Vinyl Reissues)
It's the 25th anniversary of SPV / Steamhammer Records, the German based rock and metal label who are one of the leaders of the genre. To celebrate they're taking batches of classic albums and reissuing them on lovely, lovely vinyl, with some of the records making a debut on the best ever format.
Iced Earth - The Crucible Of Man: Something Wicked Part 2
The Crucible Of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 from American power metallers Iced Earth came out in 2008 and, as the title suggests, was the concluding part of their ongoing Something Wicked saga. It picked up where Framing Armageddon left off in 2007 and saw their best loved vocalist Matt Barlow, firmly ensconced in the band again, replacing ex Judas Priest man "Ripper" Owens, alongside guitarist and songwriter Jon Schaffer. Barlow contributes some amazing vocal lines to what is a dense work, and not the easiest way to get into the music of Iced Earth, but there are some amazing riffs to savour on tracks like "Crown Of The Fallen" and "The Revealing". It's gloriously presented here as a double album in a gatefold sleeve, with stunning artwork across the full cover spread and will definitely be a collector's piece.
Accept - Restless & Wild
Next we leap back to my childhood and the classic Restless & Wild album from Teutonic heavy metal band, Accept. A defining album in metal history, it contained what is arguably the first ever speed metal track, in the shape of opener "Fast As A Shark". The demented, air raid siren vocals of Udo Dirkschneider remain as peculiarly compelling as ever, a quarter of a century down the road, and allied to the fabulous guitars of Wolf Hoffman and Jorg Fischer on tracks like "Shake Your Heads" and "Flash Rockin' Man". this is proper, classic heavy metal, the way it should be done. A lovely gatefold sleeve gives you good cause to remember why those trousers and that haircut were always bad ideas.
Kamelot - Ghost Opera
Best of the lot in this batch, though, is Ghost Opera by Kamelot. When it came out a couple of years back, I reckoned it was the finest prog / power metal crossover I'd heard in absolute aeons, and it's remained a favourite of mine ever since. Extended to a double album, with only three tracks on each side, the power of the music just leaps out of the speakers, in a manner that says all albums should be made this way. Songs like "Rule The World", with its off-kilter riff and the Gregorian chant enhanced "Mourning Star" are just built for this kind of treatment, with the guitars of Thomas Youngblood sounding bigger and louder than ever before, on the excellently mastered vinyl. A true masterpiece, this one won't be leaving my record deck for a long time yet. Again, the gatefold sleeve and inner sleeve designs are works of art, and it would be worth buying a turntable just to appreciate this.
There are more vinyl reissues to come, and if this batch is anything to go by, they will be essential collector's items in years to come. I can't think of a better way to mark your birthday and, hopefully, some other record labels will take note.
It's the 25th anniversary of SPV / Steamhammer Records, the German based rock and metal label who are one of the leaders of the genre. To celebrate they're taking batches of classic albums and reissuing them on lovely, lovely vinyl, with some of the records making a debut on the best ever format.
Iced Earth - The Crucible Of Man: Something Wicked Part 2
The Crucible Of Man: Something Wicked Part 2 from American power metallers Iced Earth came out in 2008 and, as the title suggests, was the concluding part of their ongoing Something Wicked saga. It picked up where Framing Armageddon left off in 2007 and saw their best loved vocalist Matt Barlow, firmly ensconced in the band again, replacing ex Judas Priest man "Ripper" Owens, alongside guitarist and songwriter Jon Schaffer. Barlow contributes some amazing vocal lines to what is a dense work, and not the easiest way to get into the music of Iced Earth, but there are some amazing riffs to savour on tracks like "Crown Of The Fallen" and "The Revealing". It's gloriously presented here as a double album in a gatefold sleeve, with stunning artwork across the full cover spread and will definitely be a collector's piece.
Accept - Restless & Wild
Next we leap back to my childhood and the classic Restless & Wild album from Teutonic heavy metal band, Accept. A defining album in metal history, it contained what is arguably the first ever speed metal track, in the shape of opener "Fast As A Shark". The demented, air raid siren vocals of Udo Dirkschneider remain as peculiarly compelling as ever, a quarter of a century down the road, and allied to the fabulous guitars of Wolf Hoffman and Jorg Fischer on tracks like "Shake Your Heads" and "Flash Rockin' Man". this is proper, classic heavy metal, the way it should be done. A lovely gatefold sleeve gives you good cause to remember why those trousers and that haircut were always bad ideas.
Kamelot - Ghost Opera
Best of the lot in this batch, though, is Ghost Opera by Kamelot. When it came out a couple of years back, I reckoned it was the finest prog / power metal crossover I'd heard in absolute aeons, and it's remained a favourite of mine ever since. Extended to a double album, with only three tracks on each side, the power of the music just leaps out of the speakers, in a manner that says all albums should be made this way. Songs like "Rule The World", with its off-kilter riff and the Gregorian chant enhanced "Mourning Star" are just built for this kind of treatment, with the guitars of Thomas Youngblood sounding bigger and louder than ever before, on the excellently mastered vinyl. A true masterpiece, this one won't be leaving my record deck for a long time yet. Again, the gatefold sleeve and inner sleeve designs are works of art, and it would be worth buying a turntable just to appreciate this.
There are more vinyl reissues to come, and if this batch is anything to go by, they will be essential collector's items in years to come. I can't think of a better way to mark your birthday and, hopefully, some other record labels will take note.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Before I bought this album, I only had one CD by Kamelot and that was "Karma". I enjoyed this, but I found that some of it was a little hard to get into. However, on a recent buying spree, I bought "Ghost Opera" and boy am I glad I did.
Some people may think that the orchestral beginning is a little cliched, but I still like it and it runs really well into tracks one and two. I did notice at this point that the first two tracks were a little more commercial than I had expected, but they are both excellent songs and I always find myself singing along.
I have actually listened to this album almost constantly since I bought it and there are a couple of songs which are losing their appeal slightly, but the majority are still easy to listen to. As well as the first two tracks, I particularly enjoy the tracks where the female vocals complement the male.
I want to finish by singling out two tracks. Firstly, there is "Anthem" which is the obligatory slow song, but as other people have mentioned, it doesn't seem to have been added because it should... It really fits in with the album and the vocals are very emotional.
Finally, "Pendulous Fall" is my favourite track, although I can't quite put my finger on why. It's just that whenever I listen to the album, I'm always looking forward to it and when it does come on, I can't help but sing along, especially in the car.
All in all, an excellent album.
Some people may think that the orchestral beginning is a little cliched, but I still like it and it runs really well into tracks one and two. I did notice at this point that the first two tracks were a little more commercial than I had expected, but they are both excellent songs and I always find myself singing along.
I have actually listened to this album almost constantly since I bought it and there are a couple of songs which are losing their appeal slightly, but the majority are still easy to listen to. As well as the first two tracks, I particularly enjoy the tracks where the female vocals complement the male.
I want to finish by singling out two tracks. Firstly, there is "Anthem" which is the obligatory slow song, but as other people have mentioned, it doesn't seem to have been added because it should... It really fits in with the album and the vocals are very emotional.
Finally, "Pendulous Fall" is my favourite track, although I can't quite put my finger on why. It's just that whenever I listen to the album, I'm always looking forward to it and when it does come on, I can't help but sing along, especially in the car.
All in all, an excellent album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
It has a....
...hard act to follow.
Kamelot's Ghost Opera follows the impressive ,The Black Halo: Limited Edition and doesn't quite measure up. Read more
Kamelot's Ghost Opera follows the impressive ,The Black Halo: Limited Edition and doesn't quite measure up. Read more
Published 2 months ago by longshanks
Some really good new material
Having brought 'Epica' and 'The Black Halo', I was wondering how this album would compare... It isn't the same storyline as the two previous albums but despite not having a plot,... Read more
Published 23 months ago by brandstifterin
Theatrical, but great listening
I got introduced to Kamelot by my children, demonstrating the two way aspect that we have with music these days. Read more
Published on 30 May 2010 by JMA Dilworth
bloody amazing get it
absolute genius music ,my view is last 3 albums all worth getting this band getting better and better , drummer is absolutely brilliant in rythmn section one of the best ,, kamelot... Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2009 by M. P. Williams
my best buy in 2008
I first discovered this album in 2008 - and its still my best buy for that year.
Aftere having read the other reviews - it is clear that while people might like the same... Read more
Aftere having read the other reviews - it is clear that while people might like the same... Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2009 by J. Jürs
THIS IS A BAND RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THEIR GAME!!
I really don't know exactly how these guys manage to do it-but they keep producing albums of high class symphonic,melodic rock!! Read more
Published on 13 April 2008 by R. ADAMSON
Man playing fiddle on sleeve alert!
Prog Metal has cost me a fortune this year as I have discovered some great bands and albums that I had quite frankly never heard of. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2007 by Big Jim
A huge backward step after The Black Halo
I've been a Kamelot follower right from the beginning. After the first two albums I thought they lost the plot for a while and found 'Siege Imperious' and 'The Fourth Legacy'... Read more
Published on 17 Sep 2007 by Nightman
Best Album I have bought this year
As the title says, this has been the best album I have bought all year. Ozzy's Black Rain was good, so was Magnum's Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow but this? Read more
Published on 21 July 2007 by B. Douglas
Kamelot can do no wrong, yet again!
It has been a rather interesting time thus far in 2007, as several new releases from some of the progressive metals most praiseworthy purveyors of the genre have bestowed their... Read more
Published on 1 July 2007 by Transcendence
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