US prog metal band return with a follow-yup to their 2005 release ‘The Black Halo’, which was a prime slice of progressive metal. This time around they have beaten that album and that is no easy task! The grandiose backing has been increased with the strings and violin bought further forward in the mix and female vocals are added to certain songs which really do complement Khan’s vocals. Khan is not a screamer like other sin the metal genre rather he has a very deep, powerful melodic vocal that really hits home on the more epic numbers like ‘Love You To Death’.

The overall feel and sound of this album is one of epic music that you can easily imagine being put to a suitably grand stage production. Also although guitarist Thomas Youngblood plays some very heavy riffs and solos they don’t swamp the overall sound and in fact this album could easily cross over to a more mainstream market given half a chance. ‘Anthem’ and the title track really do see the band stretch musically, both have string sections that feat neatly into the music rather than some add on favoured by many other bands. For straight ahead metal ‘EdenEcho’ comes nearest with its driving drums and guitars and again the strings and female chorus lift the sing up to another level.

Kamelot have produced their finest album to date and like Evergrey keep progressing and getting better with each album they release. In a word essential.

****½

Review by Bill Leslie