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Kamelot - The Awakening
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Kamelot - The Awakening

1 Minute Review

The Awakening is the thirteenth studio album by the American power metal band Kamelot, released on March 17, 2023, via Napalm Records. Marking the band's first studio album in five years following 2018's The Shadow Theory, this represents the longest gap between two studio albums in Kamelot's discography. The album is also the first to feature Alex Landenburg on drums after Johan Nunez's departure. Working on new material for The Awakening, the band members composed twenty-five songs, eventually focusing on thirteen for the final album. The record initially planned for release in August or September 2021, includes a mixture of old and new elements and influences. Kamelot produced two music videos for the album in May 2022, and cellist Tina Guo was announced as a featured guest. The Awakening showcases the band's power metal sound, with standout tracks such as "The Great Divide," "Eventide," and "New Babylon," which features guest vocals from Simone Simons and Melissa Bonny.

What Worked

Leaving no epic stone unturned, Kamelot fully embrace all facets of the power in power metal. Soaring guitar leads, angelic chorus vocals, and a thundering rhythm section back Tommy Karevik, the third vocalist who joined the band in 2012. His operatic style pushes the power motif further, from stomping double-timed prog beast "Opus of the Night (Ghost Requiem)" to the lurching "One More Flag in the Ground."

What Didn't Work

If there are weak spots on the album, it's the overly syrupy ballads "Midsummer's Eve" and "Willow." They undercut the dynamically heavy standout tracks and feel disconnected from the album as a whole.

Dig Me Out rating: 👍 Worthy Album

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Dig Me Out
Dig Me Out: 90s Rock
We're digging up lost and forgotten 90s rock albums and artists. Weekly 90s podcast episode, a new music release calendar, 1 min album reviews of 80s, 90s and 00s related artists, and exclusive 80s and 00s album review podcast episodes.