I think that "manufactured", "polished", trendy element has always been there for them (or at least Thomas, Sascha and Oliver), but we notice it more now because a) they've gotten more successful in pulling it off - actually being polished, actually hitting the vibe they are surgically aiming for, and b) we're not as blue-eyed and uncynical as we were in 2005ish (for me, say, 2007-09ish but I know we have some folks who arrived even earlier). Can anyone honestly put their hand on their heart and swear The Black Halo wasn't dead on trend and carefully executed for maximum fanbase expansion back then? The only difference is that that vibe appealed to me more, and I wish some band (not Kam, they don't want it) would bring it back.
Well, I can't speak for others, but for me - yes! And even if was, as we say, manufactured for that, it has the musical beef to stand up to those criticisms; there is an adventure and inspiration in most of that record that I just don't hear in the newer stuff. Even in 2005, The Black Halo was head and shoulders above many other bands playing power metal or trying to do concept albums. The Black Halo is what elevated the band to a higher level. I'm not even a big fan of that record compared to most Kamelot fans and I can see why it has the legacy it does. I honestly don't believe the 'manufactured, polished' criticisms apply to Kamelot prior to Khan leaving the band. There was a fundamental shift in approach from the band - to its music, to its audience, to the glossiness of their videos - that wasn't present before then. It's not Tommy's fault; I'd say it's more Thomas and Oliver, as they're the two main songwriters. But they found a formula that works. Every lead single for the last 3 albums has followed an identical template, the meter, the melodic contours, the string patterns, it's all formulaic. Whereas Karma, Epica, TBH, Ghost Opera, Poetry all had variety in their singles and aesthetics. There was diversity, something that is lacking from this new era of the band, for whatever reasons that might be.
And it's hard to blame them, because they're at a level of success where although they're not doing arenas, they tend to sell out or do very well every time they roll through the country, which is a lot. They're a well-oiled machine and they have to keep it going, but for me, it's come at the cost of inventive, compelling art, especially since Oliver hasn't done anything with Sons of Seasons since Henning left, and I'll take Magnisphyricon over the last 3 Kamelot albums in a heartbeat (and it sounds very Kamelot-y at times, too).
Sorry, I just had my first coffee in several weeks, and my mind is racing.
Topic: Kamelot (Read 150501 times)
