Kamelot to release new album "Poetry For The Poisoned" in September (updated)

[Arcaeus]

Source

earMUSIC, the international rock label of the Hamburg-based entertainment group Edel, has announced the signing of American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT. The band's new studio album, "Poetry For The Poisoned", will be released in Europe on September 3, 2010.

KAMELOT is one of metal's most unique, influential and prestigious acts to come along in decades. The group's reputation among fans and media alike is marked by enthusiasm as well as esteem, with each of their eight studio albums to date surpassing its predecessor in terms of songwriting, production and commercial results. As one of the most difficult-to-categorize artists on the metal scene, KAMELOT is ready to release its most insightful and ambitious album to date, "Poetry for the Poisoned".

Throughout the recent years, KAMELOT's releases have achieved cult status around the world, and "Poetry for the Poisoned" will "once again raise the bar for others to follow," according to a press release. "The new studio album blends their trademark KAMELOT sound with new elements and a creation of musical art that will set a new standard in the genre."

"Poetry for the Poisoned" was mostly written in the remote woods of Norway to the final songwriting sessions in a remote region of Germany. The compositions take the listener through many emotions and dynamics that touch the soul and the mind.

"I think this album is by far our most diverse, fusing new ideas and elements along with the traditional KAMELOT sound and style that we have established over the years," states KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood.

Recordings took place in the familiar Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. Additional tracking also took place in Tampa, Florida as well as various studios in Sweden, Greece and the U.S.

"Poetry for the Poisoned" features guest appearances by Simone Simons (EPICA), Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND), Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK) and Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE, JON OLIVA'S PAIN). The artwork was created by many great artists, including Seth Siro Anton, Natalie Shau and Michal Loranc.

"'Poetry for the Poisoned' is a mix of progressive elements, modern rock, dark arts and also power metal," states Youngblood. "It comes at a time where many people around the world are searching for something to grab on to spiritually, including myself. I recently lost my mother and to be honest it was very hard on me. So there are some melancholy moods reflected on this album."

Frontman Roy Khan assures that "Poetry for the Poisoned" will both please the band's existing following and expose the universe of KAMELOT to a whole range of new fans. "'Poetry for the Poisoned' is our longest and toughest production so far, but when I hear the result I know it was well worth the struggle," he says.

Max Vaccaro, director of the earMUSIC label, commented: "If there is one thing that is absolutely clear with KAMELOT, it's that the band has a unique vision of metal and they consider anything they do as the 'next step' to something bigger and better, constantly adamant to reach new ambitious artistic targets. We're happy about the fact that they have chosen earMUSIC as the partner to expand their audience with this new wonderful album."

"Poetry For The Poisoned" will also be available as a limited edition hard-cover digipak CD with a bonus DVD, LP and limited collector's edition featuring a bonus 45" vinyl with two rare songs only available on this strictly limited format, personally signed by the band.

KAMELOT recently tapped Swedish director Owe Lingvall of Village Road Films for the video shoot and production of the song "The Great Pandemonium". The track, which was performed on the band's recently completed European tour, will appear on "Poetry For The Poisoned". Other songtitles set to appear on the effort include "House On A Hill" and "Hunters Season", the latter of which was also performed on the band's recently completed European headlining tour.

Simone Simons — the longtime girlfriend of KAMELOT keyboardist Oliver Palotai — previously appeared on the song "The Haunting", which was included on KAMELOT's 2005 album "The Black Halo".

KAMELOT recently inked a deal with Marquee/Avalon Records for the Japanese release of its next album.

KAMELOT will embark on its first North American tour in two years this fall. Support on the trek will come from LEAVES' EYES and BLACKGUARD.

KAMELOT is:

Roy Khan - Vocals
Thomas Youngblood - Guitar
Casey Grillo - Drums
Oliver Palotai - Keyboards
Sean Tibbets - Bass

Updated:


 
Preview of the first single and accompanying music video here (feat. Björn of Soilwork). I like it.

Track listing:
1. The Great Pendemonium (feat. Björn "Speed" Strid)
2. If Tomorrow Came
3. Dear Editor
4. The Zodiac (feat. Jon Oliva)
5. Hunter's Season
6. House On A Hill (feat. Simone Simons)
7. Necropolis
8. My Train of Thoughts
9. Seal of Woven Years
10. Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. I: Incubus
11. Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. II: So Long (feat. Simone Simons)
12. Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. III: All is Over
13. Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. IV: Dissection
14. Once Upon A Time

15. Where the Wild Roses Grow (Nick Cave cover - limited edition bonus track)
16. Thespian Drama (Japanese bonus track)

[robwebster]

FINALLY. What a title!

[PlaysLikeMyung]

sweeeeeeeeet.

I hope it's better than Ghost Opera

[Sigz]

Sweeeet. Really badass title too.

[sonatafanica]

Bring on the twelve tracks of mid-tempo, same-y songs about "white light echoes of the night" or whatever

[Arcaeus]

Bring on the twelve tracks of mid-tempo, same-y songs about "white light echoes of the night" or whatever

that's how Ghost Opera and about half of The Black Halo came off to me, but I do like Epica, Karma and the Fourth Legacy. I have high hopes for this album, though.

[ariich]

Great stuff! Ghost Opera was good but a little disappointing but the 3 before it are excellent. The description of the new one sounds amazing as well!

[Volk9]

Dont like the title, but will definately give it a listen

[InTheNameOfGod]

Awesome news as i'm a big fan of Kamelot.

I really enjoyed Ghost Opera, minus one or two mediocre tracks.

[TAC]

I just might get this. It'll be my first Kamelot purchase. Been trying to get into them, but for whatever reason, they just haven't stuck with me to go buy something.

[Nick]

Sounds good, looking forward to picking this up.

[cramx3]

Cant wait for this. Im glad they finally put a date on the release and its before the NYC show so ill get a few weeks to listen before I see them.

[Quadrochosis]

Finally a date! Awesome title, can't wait for this. Kamelot hasn't had a bad album since before Karma.

[UnutterableSquid]

Nice!

They played some of the songs at the show that I saw with Quadrochosis in Paris a few months back. Sounded nice, from what I remember.

Also, Kamelot is an awesome band in general, and I look forward to a hopeful tour here in the US.

[cramx3]

Also, Kamelot is an awesome band in general, and I look forward to a hopeful tour here in the US.

Well hope no more, they announced a US tour a few monthes ago.

https://www.kamelot.com/2010tour.html

[YtseBitsySpider]

with this announcement..........

Memento Mori and I are having a little reunion.

[wolfking]

Good stuff.  Hopefully a step up form Ghost Opera, I wasn't a huge fan of that one.  They will never top Epica though, that was brilliant!

[GuineaPig]

All the hate for Ghost Opera makes me a 

[faemir]

Epica is easily the worst of their 'recent' albums, I want moar black halo. It annoys me how they are the two parts of a concept but Epica is a real snooze fest for most of the for me (While The Black Halo is one of my favourite albums of all time)

[In The Wake Of Poseidon]

All the hate for Ghost Opera makes me a 

[Arcaeus]

Epica is easily the worst of their 'recent' albums, I want moar black halo. It annoys me how they are the two parts of a concept but Epica is a real snooze fest for most of the for me (While The Black Halo is one of my favourite albums of all time)

Opposite for me, The Black Halo makes me sleep bar a few great tracks (like Memento Mori, Serenade and Moonlight), while I find Epica to be their best

[ariich]

They're both excellent albums. You two are mad.

[Sigz]

All the hate for Ghost Opera makes me a 

[wolfking]

Epica is easily the worst of their 'recent' albums, I want moar black halo. It annoys me how they are the two parts of a concept but Epica is a real snooze fest for most of the for me (While The Black Halo is one of my favourite albums of all time)

Opposite for me, The Black Halo makes me sleep bar a few great tracks (like Memento Mori, Serenade and Moonlight), while I find Epica to be their best

\\

Agreed.  Epica is by far their best album.  It is simply...well......epic!!

[ariich]

Hmm, well, I'd say in terms of quality of songs it's pretty even with Karma and The Black Halo. But what Epica has over those other two is that it's easily their most flowing and best constructed. The way the music starts quite upbeat and hopeful in tone, until he meets Mephisto when the entire mood for the rest of the album takes on a darker, more sinister tone. It's as good as power metal gets really.

[Zydar]

"Portnoy For The Poisoned?"

[MykeHavoc]

I agree that Epica is the far weaker half to that of Black Halo, which to me is still the most perfect thing I've heard in 5 years.
I'm greatly looking forward to this release and tour. I will certainly be at the Worcester Palladium show.

[Arcaeus]

All the hate for Ghost Opera makes me a 

Hey, I don't hate it, I just think it's less consistent. It has some great songs, like Eden Echo.

WON'T YOU LIIIIIGHT UP
WON'T YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE

[GuineaPig]

Eden Echo is one of the worst songs off Ghost Opera, imo.

[robwebster]

While I like the song itself, I don't like the way Eden Echo ends. It kind of fades out. Really quickly. I've always thought that, on the standard edition, that must be a really underwhelming way to close the album. The Pendulous Fall is a much stronger closer. "NOBODY CAN TOUCH US! *chah*"

I kinda think of Ghost Opera as a collection of really strong singles. Well, 'cept Solitaire, which is a really cool intro. I think they were going to do a video for each track at one point, so I'd say that's a fairly good way of looking at it. I mean, there are no individual songs that I dislike, not by a long shot. But they're all fairly concise, and any one of them would make a good "first single," if that makes any sense. Which means that as a complete album, it's a little bit paler than the rest of their catalogue.

[faemir]

Whenever people say that ghost Opera is bad, I just say "Love You to Death" and move on

[Adami]

Whenever people say that ghost Opera is bad, I just say "Love You to Death" and move on

Don't like that song either. 95% of the album just feels uninspired. I can visualize them playing the songs with very VERY bored looks on their faces. That's not good.

[wolfking]

Whenever people say that ghost Opera is bad, I just say "Love You to Death" and move on

Don't like that song either. 95% of the album just feels uninspired.

I have to agree with this.

[faemir]

Whenever people say that ghost Opera is bad, I just say "Love You to Death" and move on

Don't like that song either. 95% of the album just feels uninspired. I can visualize them playing the songs with very VERY bored looks on their faces. That's not good.

Well considering it has one of the best if not the best Kamelot solos, I doubt Thomas will be bored during it.

[ariich]

Love You to Death is a nice song, but the awkward phrasing just brings it down slightly. Same with most of the album really. It's still good and I definitely like it, just not nearly as much as the 3 before it.