THE BLACK HALO

The Finale of the Epic story about an alchemist in the search of the truth comes to an end in the album The Black Halo The story first started in the album Epica about Ariel, the young alchemist in search of the truth, Helena, the lost love interest of Ariel and Mephisto, the fallen angel in search of a way back to heaven ends in this album.

Nice concept first of all, before listening to this album, if you REALLY want to get the whole story concept offered you need to first listen to the album Epica, but if you're just listening for the first time, it's quite alright, you don't need to know the whole story to appreciate this album.

The epicness begins with the introduction of March of Mephisto a song that truly replicates the feeling and atmosphere of a marching doom-army. The heavy guitar riffs with the heavy drum beats truly accompany Kahn's voice in such a complementary way that the listener is brought to the heat of the battle. That brings to the experience of the whole album, each song fits very well musically and technically with the concept. Kahn's vocals truly shine in this series of events, he creates his vocal style to portray that of an actor, I surely think that is Black Halo was made into a play it will be very well performed.

Anyways, the songs depict an aspect or event of our traveler Ariel, the voice of Helena is once portrayed by Mari Youngblood, who does an adequate job. She is a solid vocalist but nothing over the top. However, the song The Haunting showcases a duet of epic proportions. Simone Simons meets Roy Kahn. The song is a fantastical duet, retelling the story of a one night encounter with a girl who looked similar to Helena, truly rich in lyricism, although the song is simple in structure.

Near the middle of the album we are introduced to more Interludes which transcend story very much like a scene change. The most epic being the interlude heading to Abandoned a song which depicts the life of the young Ariel, as he re-thinks his current life and morns the departure of God in his world.

The album has a very nice way of transcending scene changes, in the song The Black Halo our protagonist finally defies Mephisto and challenges him, the story gets more intense as it reaches the end.

The story has a little twist at the end, so I leave that for the listener to find out.

As a concept album this is an incredible work of art, truly bringing proper instrumentation to create the overall environment set forth from the previous tale. Possibly Kamelot's finest album and surely a must for any prog metal enthusiast.