2007 has already seen some fine releases and this is yet another to add to the growing list.

Ghost Opera is the seventh studio album from US symphonic power metallers, Kamelot. Whilst being predominantly described thus, Kamelot encompass many varied styles throughout their songs, from complex string and keyboard arrangements to pure power riffing, all topped off by Roy Khan’s understated yet excellent voice.

I can hear plenty of elements of Queensryche, Savatage and Evanescence to name but three during the course of the album, but Kamelot are very much their own band and certainly not imitators of anyone else.

The album opens to the ethereal strains of instrumental track “Solitaire”, which leads directly into “Rule The World”, a fine soaring track that takes us through to the title track itself. “Ghost Opera”, the track, is an epic, featuring a pounding rhythm section and a haunting vocal performance, particularly on the chorus.

“The Human Stain” is next up and follows the same dark and menacingly brooding path before giving way to “Blucher” with its cool electronic voice synthesised chorus. “Love You To Death” is a dramatic ballad, followed by “Up Through The Ashes” which picks the pace back up, whilst never losing the sense of the dramatic.

“Mourning Star” features a duet chorus and “Silence Of The Darkness” is pure power metal with a pounding bass and drum backdrop and some fine riffing from Thomas Youngblood.

A simple piano introduction heralds the beginning of “Anthem”, a haunting ballad that takes us to final track, “EdenEcho” with its Savatage-like piano–led intro which blossoms into another quality track with all the usual Kamelot trademark touches.

In summary, Kamelot have continued very much where they left off with their last album, The Black Halo, by delivering another quality album, full of symphonic power metal – a genre which sees them clearly sitting atop the pile in my opinion.

Let us know your views on Ghost Opera

Track Listing

Solitaire
Rule The World
Ghost Opera
Human Stain
Bluecher
Love You To Death
Up Through The Ashes
Mourning Star
Silence Of The Darkness
Anthem

Line Up

Thomas Youngblood - guitars
Khan - vocals
Glenn Barry - bass
Casey Grillo - drums
Oliver Palotei - keyboards