Ghost Opera

I only heard of this band about a year ago when someone sent me their double-live cd, One Cold Winter's Night. Even though I'm not a fan of live cds, I couldn't help being impressed with how tight the band was. Then, a few months ago a friend of mine came to visit and brought The Black Halo. And finally a couple weeks ago when I heard they had a new cd coming out, I decided to go after it ... Turned out to be a good move. I've heard Kamelot described as a half-dozen different types of music, from progressive, to gothic, to power-metal to doom ... They're all a little bit right and they are all a little bit off. Kamelot does a masterful job of walking that fine line between genre's, touching on elements just enough to peak the interest of each audience, but not staying there long enough to be pigeon-holed as a certain type of band. There are big symphonic Savatage elements, atmospheric Operation Mindcrime moments, delicate Dream Theater piano parts all strung together with heavy guitars, a great rhythm section and the distinctive (frequently Geoff Tate-like) vocals of Kahn. There is really a lot going on, but it doesn't sound crowded or overdone. Everything works with the song instead of distracting from it and the production and mix is just fantastic. It's not going to be for everyone, but I'm playing the hell out of it. If you're looking for something different this could be it. --Scott