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Kamelot - Poetry For The Poisoned CD (album) cover

POETRY FOR THE POISONED

Kamelot

 

Progressive Metal

3.54 | 134 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Less Metal, More Prog

I got connected to Kamelot since I spun their album 'Karma' that blew me away to the bone right away when I heard the opening 'Regalis Apertura' - 'Forever'. Wow man! It was a terrific experience when I got their music for the first time. I was so impressed that what so called 'metal' was actually had a sense of good melody in their music. I thought metal music was just the music that is played loudly sacrificing the melody part of it. In fact the strength of kamelot music is on its ability to create a memorable melody. I f you don't get me, try their 'Karma' album and enjoy the opening tracks. You would get exactly what I mean! Since then I purchased almost all of their albums, especially with Roy Khan as lead vox. Their follow-ups album I always pre-ordered starting from Epica until this album.

When kamelot released 'Ghost Opera' and its follow-up 'Second Coming' my metal colleagues started to complaint the musical degradation of kamelot. I understand why they say like that because their opinion were based on the way Roy sing is no longer using high register notes. But I disagreed with the musical degradation as I think their music is progressing into the new horizon with a darker nuances, using mostly the low to medium register notes and no longer exploring the high ones. It is in line with Roy Khan who is getting older. But the overall musical composition is still masterpiece for me. Well, music is very subjective - that's why I tolerate any differing views.

Less challenge to Mr. Grillo?

If you compare 'Poetry for the Poisoned' with 'The Fourth Legacy', 'Karma' or 'Epica', of course this new album is different as you will find less double pedal bass drum work in high speed like you find in 'Forever' or 'The Fourth Legacy' tracks. This album has much less in terms of that speed and this probably gives Mr Casey Grillo with his drum stools. Does it? Well, I don't think so. I find his dynamic drumming is around in many segments of this album. Even though less metal, the music is having a higher density as the band has added components that was not present in their previous works. You can find it rightaway when you spin the CD through the opening track 'The Great Pandemonium' where you can hear the nice additional vocal from Björn "Speed" Strid. The additional vocal provides musical accentuation throughout the song. I love the track since the first time I spun the CD. The combination of guitar solo by Mr Youngblood and drums by Grillo is really great.

'If Tomorrow Came' is by nature a power metal track with pondering double pedal bass drum with relatively high speed in the beginning and it slows down when the vocal line enter the scene. Here I can find the bass guitar work played by the new (not really as he was with the band long time ago) bassist Sean Tibbetts. I still can find sound exploration as well here. 'Dear' Editor is basically a monologue with smeagol-like (the one in Lord of the Rings movie) voice. 'The Zodiac' is really a very good song with very strong melody and tight composition, featuring Jon Oliva. Well, I love this song very much and it's one of the reasons why I keep spinning this CD more than 25 times in its entirety. I like the way the vocal is sung in sort of growl style by John Olivia. The guitar solo does not really relate to any power metal music and it's really stunning.

Uriah Heep plays power metal?

As far as logic says there is nothing to do between Kamelot and Uriah Heep. And why do I say so? Spin 'Hunter's Season'! You will find strongly that the guitar solo reminds you to the legendary Mick Box style in Uriah Heep albums. Of course there is nothing that shows exact style however you will find there is at least the nuances of Mick Box work in, say 'The Magician's Birthday' guitar solo. It's really a stunning guitar solo. Bravo Thomas Youngblood! The song itself is beautifully crafted with great melody and nice orchestration. This song has become one of my favorites.

'House On A Hill' connects me to 'Don't Cry' from Karma album because it's basically a mellow song that features a very nice voice of Simone Simons from Epica fame. It's hard to say if people do not like this good melody song. 'Necropolis' brings the music back to power metal in medium speed. 'My Train Of Thoughts' reminds me to the music of Peter Gabriel at the outset especially with the background music when Roy Khan sings his first lyrical verse. 'Seal Of Woven Years' is another excellent track with relatively fast speed power metal style. again, the song wins on its catchy melody. The double pedal bass drm work by Casey Grillo is very nice.

Too short for an epic

The album title track was composed as an epic that comprises four parts. Unfortunately, each part is very short in duration with the longest is 3.24 minutes. Why must it be broken-down into four parts if it's too short? I got no idea why the band decided like this. As a whole the epic sounds very nice with excellent orchestration as well as dynamic work of the drums. The epic should have been made as one song titled as 'Poetry for The Poisoned.

the album is concluded beautifully with a normal power metal music 'Once Upon A Time' that reminds me to the style they play in 'Karma' album. Casey Grillo plays his role in an excellent way. Roy khan sings in various tones where his voice sounds heavy. Casey Grillo drumwork is very nice during the interlude.

My copy is a digipack version with extra DVD on it. Unfortunately I still had no chance to watch the DVD becaue I am very satisfied already with the music - what's the point looking at the DVD? But I will do later.

It's still an excellent album!

One of the reasons why I kept delaying to write a review of the album was because I was in the middle of making the mark about it. Emotionally all tracks provide me with great melody and excellent composition that pushed me to tend giving a full five stars rating. I think they deserve it because the tight composition they make. But is it really a masterpiece? Maybe not. But for sure this album is very close to 9 (out of 1) rating. Let's make it for an excellent addition of prog music. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Gatot | 4/5 |

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