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"Epica is a great melodic metal record that is absolutely essential and gives Kamelot its first letters of nobility in the genre."
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5/5
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Epica is the 6th album of the band which follows the mixed Karma released in 2001. For this record, the line-up of the band remains unchanged around its leader, the guitarist Thomas Youngblood. For its new opus, Kamelot offers us a concept album, something very usual in heavy metal where most of the bands go through this imposed and very difficult exercise. The theme chosen here is Faust by Goethe. The album tells how the hero Arial sells his soul in exchange for earthly goods. Epica is the first part of the story. A second part will follow but the band will write a non-conceptual album at first. The usual Sacha Petch and Miro (Angra, Rhapsody, Luca Turilli) are on the production as on the previous records.
This new album is musically close to Fourth Legacy but it brings new elements. We can notice very pleasant female voices as well as orchestral elements sampled very well integrated. The sound is always as good and Khan's vocals being strongly put forward, brings a real asset to the tracks. The album is built a bit like a puzzle. The tracks follow one another and four interludes punctuate the entire album to bring a rather theatrical dimension to the record.
Epica starts off very powerfully with Center of the universe which sounds like traditional Kamelot. The chorus is easily memorable and concludes in the same state of mind with III ways topica, an excellent track with a female voice. The strong points are Farewell, composed of Gregorian chants like the first interlude, to invite the listener to travel and The edge of paradise with its famous oriental touch and well felt guitar riffs.
A beneficial change for the band comes from the fact that contrary to the previous albums, there is no soft underbelly after an excellent start. The disc is very homogeneous. We find ballads such as the very successful Wander with piano, or the splendid On the coldest winter night. Descent of the archangel sounds more modern but remains very melodic, a trademark of the band. We will also mention Lost and damned, powerful on the chorus and the solos and the excellent use of keyboards.
Epica is a great melodic metal record that is absolutely essential. Kamelot is now one of those bands you have to know. It deserves much better than the second division where it used to operate and is now a reference in the matter. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Prologue - 1:07
02. Center Of The Universe - 5:27
03. Farewell - 3:41
04. Interlude 1 (Opiate Soul) - 1:10
05. The Edge Of Paradise - 4:10
06. Wander - 4:24
07. Interlude 2 (Omen) - 0:41
08. Descent Of The Archangel - 4:36
09. Interlude 3 (At The Banquet) - 0:31
10. A Feast For The Vain - 3:57
11. On The Coldest Winter Night - 4:04
12. Lost And Damned - 4:55
13. Helena's Theme - 1:51
14. Interlude 4 (Dawn) - 0:28
15. The Mourning After - 4:59
16. III Ways To Epica - 6:17
17. Snow (bonus Track)
LINEUP:
Casey Grillo: Batterie
Glenn Barry: Basse
Khan: Chant
Thom Youngblood: Guitares
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READERS
4.7/5 (9 view(s))
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STAFF:
4.4/5 (5 view(s))
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