Reviewed by Loris Bergagna

Artist: KAMELOT
Album: Silverthorn
Label: SPV/Steamhammer
Release Date: 29/10/2012

Tracklist:
1. Manus Dei
2. Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)
3. Ashes To Ashes
4. Torn
5. Song For Jolee
6. Veritas
7. My Confession
8. Silverthorn
9. Falling Like The Fahrenheit
10. Solitaire
11. Prodigal Son
– Part I: Funerale
– Part II: Burden Of Shame (The Branding)
– Part III: The Journey
12. Continuum

KAMELOT are a well-known American Symphonic/Power/Prog Metal band, from Tampa (Florida).
They have recorded nine successful studio albums (plus three live ones and a compilation) and this, “Silverthorn” is their tenth and the first one after the departure of their legendary front-man Roy Khan.
This is a concept album and the debut with KAMELOT for the new singer, Tommy
Karevik (Seventh Wonder).
“Manus Dei”, the opening track, is a sort of intro (good to be used to open their gigs) for the first single “Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife). “Sacrimony” is great song with good riffing, orchestrations, choirs, guitar and keys solos, plus the interesting contribution of Elize Ryd on female vocals.
In this platter – in fact – are Elize Ryd (Amaranthe) and Alissa White-Gluz (The Agonist) as female singers, a sort of alter ego(s) for Jolee, the main character of the concept.
The third track “Ashes To Ashes” is a good power piece with nice guitar and keys work. A catchy song with some good prog ideas and some Arabian flavours!
“Torn”, one of the jewels of this release, is a mix of speed, anger, melody and complex structure. Its secret weapon is the beautiful chorus that will conquer every single listener out there.
“Song For Jolee” is a wonderful ballad in which the intensity of Karevik‘s voice sends shivers down your spine. The wonderful work provided by the Seventh Wonder’s singer gives “Song For Jolee” the possibility to be considered the best composition present on this album.
“Veritas”- the sixth song- is another power track, with fantastic backing vocals, in the vein of the previous “Ashes To Ashes”.
“My Confession”, a catchy-but not so interesting song, leads us to the title track,
“Silverthorn”, a track in which the orchestra and the metal band are entwined to form a good wall of sound! Mr. Thomas Youngblood shows us his skills between convincing riffing and well-shaped solos.
“Falling Like The Fahrenheit” has a nice refrain and a great contribution supported by Eklipse, a really great string quartet (especially live. I saw them in Milan opening for Nightwish and they were such a nice surprise).
The tenth track, “Solitaire”, is a weak song with nothing interesting to date but it works well as a prelude to “Prodigal Son”, a complex piece divided into three parts: a mix of intensity, melancholy, heavy riffing and prog ideas. A good old epic track that could be greater with a more homogeneous type of song writing like they provided for their older “epic tracks”!
“Continuum” is the haunting finale of this great release.
“Silverthorn” is a great release, heavily recommended to the lovers of the genre. In conclusion, Tommy Karevik is a fantastic singer….you won’t miss Mister Roy Khan the Great!

RATING: 8.5/10

BAND MEMBERS:
Thomas Youngblood – guitars
Casey Grillo – drums
Oliver Palotai – keyboards
Sean Tibbetts – bass
Tommy Karevik – vocals

BAND LINKS:
Website: www.kamelot.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/kamelotofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kamelotofficial