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KAMELOT

Ghost Opera

Steamhammer (2007)

by Mark Visco

 

Ghost Opera, the 8^th studio album from the melodic / gothic / power metal band Kamelot and it is one of their most diverse and impressive yet. This album shows the different types of instruments Kamelot can successfully incorporate into their songs. The band started recording Ghost Opera in the fall of 2006 in Germany, and it was released in the US on June 5^th of 2007.

 

This album is a rollercoaster of music and emotion delivered perfectly from every member of the band. They open with "Solitude", an one-minute instrumental intro with fantastic violin and a great build up into the second track, "Rule The World", which follows the feel and flow of "Solitude". These two tracks combined are the perfect collaborative intro to the album, and fade out into the third track, "Ghost Opera". Once the title track starts;  it begins the rollercoaster of music and talent that makes this whole album. Each song takes on its own identity and sound; but still staying with the theme and feeling of the album as a whole. Kamelot splices in synthesizers, sound effects, opera singers, female vocals, piano, and many other instruments and effects to make this album so diverse. All along, each track flows into the next one perfectly.  Though the vocals are always the most predominant; no one can miss the immense talent and library of instruments this band incorporates into their album.

 

Ghost Opera also comes with a bonus DVD which contains the music video for the title track, as well as an interesting glimpse into how they made the music video. This bonus DVD is a plus for any Kamelot fan and adds to the experience of Ghost Opera.

 

All in all, this album was rather impressive, displaying their various talents as well as their knowledge of writing music. From start to finish Ghost Opera told a story and took the listener through a journey of sound and feeling, ending the album with the lyrics "Nobody can touch us" echoing through the speakers. Kamelot's Ghost Opera is one of the most melodic albums I’ve ever listened to, and a must-have album for any gothic metal or power metal fan.

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