This would be the last album that would feature vocalist Roy Khan before his departure back to the mighty Conception – I could not believe he left them in the first place. Originally formed in Florida in ’87, it wasn’t until Khan joined for 98’s Siege Perilous that the band’s fortunes took an upturn.
The album starts with the epic The Great Pandemonium – modern Prog metal at its finest. A great production lifts the track, mixed with some great playing. If Tomorrow Came seems to be two songs in one, as Khan seems to be singing a ballad, and yet blast beats drive in the background. A short interlinking piece, Dear Editor, leads into side closer, The Zodiac, which showcases Khan’s operatic tendencies with his full range and a guest appearance from Jon Olivia.
Side 2 starts with Hunters Season with an appearance from Gus G on guitar, and they say cream always rises to the top, which keeps the track galloping along Maiden style. House On A Hill has a guest appearance from Simone Simmons and this is a full on rock opera folks. Necropolis closes out Side 2, and like most of the tunes on the album, it has a dramatic beginning but then a slower pace until the middle eight where we are back to the gallops.
Side 3 begins with My Train Of Thought, and it’s very noticeable that there are no riffs that drive the songs. It seems to be just rhythm, chords, and keyboards that drive the songs – oh – and Roy Kahn. Seal of Woven Years is up next and has a very atmospheric intro that feels as though I’m in a medieval village awaiting the arrival of the galloping Prog metal warriors – and lo and behold here they come! If I’m honest it’s all getting a bit Sammy, but very well played and executed. As per the Prog metal rule book, next up is the title track and its in four parts. I mean what Prog metal band have not done this? That’s right – none! Sarcasm to one side for a moment, this is a very well written and delivered track with all the troughs and peaks and highs and lows you would expect. One thing is for sure – they will miss Roy Kahn (and they did).
Over to Side 4 with Once Upon A Time and it’s back to the race track we go with an actual sniff of a riff to get our teeth into. There is a bonus track but it’s an uncut version of House On A Hill which was on Side 2. I know there are fans that like them to play the same album over and over again, but I am not one of those I’m afraid. I like to see a band pushing themselves. It does feel as though KAMELOT have been making the same album for 15 years – but they do it very well.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
