Kamelot - Poetry For The Poisoned review
| Band: | Kamelot |
| Album: | Poetry For The Poisoned |
| Style: | Symphonic power metal |
| Release date: | September 2010 |
Disc I
01. The Great Pandemonium [feat. Björn "Speed" Strid]
02. If Tomorrow Came
03. Dear Editor
04. The Zodiac [feat. Jon Oliva]
05. Hunter's Season
06. House On A Hill [feat. Simone Simons]
07. Necropolis
08. My Train Of Thoughts
09. Seal Of Woven Years
10. Poetry For The Poisoned
1 - Part I: Incubus
2 - Part II: So Long
3 - Part III: All Is Over
4 - Part IV: Dissection
11. Once Upon A Time
12. Where The Wild Roses Grow [bonus] [Nick Cave cover]
13. Thespian Drama [Japanese bonus]
Disc II [Live from Wacken 2010]
01. The Great Pandemonium
02. Human Stain
03. Center Of The Universe
04. Pendulous Fall
05. Hunter's Season
06. Karma
07. Forever
08. March Of Mephisto
[Super Limited Collector's Edition Bonus 7" Vinyl]
01. Rule The World [Live - Wacken]
02. Thespian Drama
Kamelot, at least in my eyes, has always been a band that sought their own path through the world of metal. The most fitting description of their sound is, no matter how I hate to admit it, power metal. Not the cheesiest, happiest German type, but power metal nevertheless. What made it more distinguished than most of the other power bands were Thomas Youngblood's distinctive guitar style, clever use of keyboards and orchestrations, and, above everything else, Roy Khan's vocals - so unlike any other metal singer, so non-metal so to speak. These three essential elements carried Kamelot's music through almost 20 years of their career, which has been on the rise all that time. Being quite a prolific band, they managed to deliver 9 full length releases, whose quality was constantly satisfactory, with occasional hints at excellence (Epica, Ghost Opera). Some progressive and symphonic elements crept into Kamelot's music in the meantime, making it richer, more textured and ambitious.
Alas my friends, not anymore. Poetry for the Poisoned is a letdown. The courage that Kamelot had to implement new elements into the fossilized body of power metal was enough for one brave, enjoyable song, "The Great Pandemonium." Electronic beginning, growling in the background, dense drumming that almost turns into blastbeats at the end. If it wasn't for the vocalist, it'd be hard to recognize Kamelot. The song is tight, to the point, and it genuinely hooked me up for the rest of the album. Bravo gentlemen, you're expanding your sound!
Too bad you don't know which direction you want to take your expansion. "If Tomorrow Came" is a typical power metal number, "The Zodiac" is a boring, theatrical exercise in role-playing, "Necropolis" balances on the edge of some kind of shy, half-hearted industrial rock. An honorable mention should be made about the terrible "House On A Hill." A few more songs like this and Kamelot will become new kings of sickeningly sweet cheese called power metal ballad. When I heard the verse "Cry me a river," I literally fell off my couch. Seriously, Michael Bolton meets Whitney Houston. It's scarier than "The Shining"! The title track, an ambitious four-part opus, doesn't save the day. It seems to go nowhere and everywhere at the same time. As a result, my finger hits the "STOP" button.
I can understand why the band wants to play a bit differently after 19 years of existence. But I was kind of hoping that they would figure it out during those 3 years that passed since their previous release. Apparently they had so many ideas for the new album that they couldn't make up their minds, so they crammed every idea they had into those 11 songs. The result is dubious. It'll probably scare off many old fans (like me) and won't bring too many new ones. Fanboys will be delighted, I'm sure, but they'd be delighted even if Khan started to fart in a melodic way. No offense, but this is just one inch over crap.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 6 |
| Originality: | 7 |
| Production: | 7 |
 | Written on 18.09.2010 by Writes overly honest and totally subjective reviews when fancy strikes him. Which is not often. Which is probably good, all things considered. |
Rating:
9.0
9.0
|
Rating: 9.0 |
Brilliant. This cd will probably be totally misinterpreted by many, but after listening to it enough it finally dawned on me that Poetry for the Poisoned is just an evolutionary step of Kamelot's musical genius. It's nice to see this band evolving and growing from their power metal roots into something which appeals more to the musically inclined as opposed to serving up the same driving beats and power chords cd after cd. Welcome to the world of progressive metal. Read more ›› |
Rating:
8.2
8.2
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Rating: 8.2 |
Three long years fans had to wait for an all new full-length studio album, and here it finally is. So what's the deal on Poetry For The Poisoned? In a word - great, although not as great as expected. Kamelot is one of those bands that kept improving from album to album until they reached their zenith with the incredible The Black Halo. The following release was a letdown for many fans, because of new influences on the band's sound. If you are one of those fans, then better pass on this record, since it's one step further along the same road. If you however, like me, loved Ghost Opera, definately give this one a try. Read more ›› |
Rating:
8.8
8.8
|
Rating: 8.8 |
It's been 5 years since Poetry For The Poisoned was released. Five long years in which illustrious Kamelot and Conception vocalist decided to bid farewell to the music industry as a whole, for a higher cause, and it was the first studio appearance of original bassist Sean Tibbetts, after long-time bassist Glenn Berry had left the band. Read more ›› |
Comments page 2 / 5
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| Lovecraft Account deleted |
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| spiritofvengence Posts: 36  |
Can we all agree that none of you like change?
---- I'd rather like what I like because I like it, despite if everyone hates me for it, then like what I hate just to be accepted by you.
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| farfaramir Posts: 128  |
Written by spiritofvengence on 19.09.2010 at 04:33 Change is good when it doesn't change to mediocrety. Black Halo was a change. This is just a letdown.
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| MeTalRea|istiK Posts: 170  |
Written by Guest on 18.09.2010 at 09:50 hope and pray for it!!kamelot will come back!!
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| Daniell _爱情_ elite Posts: 6061  |
I'm sorry to disappoint everyone who loves this album. I don't, and it shows... Oh, I listened to it about 20 times, so it did have time to grow on me, but it didn't.
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| Enissa Posts: 815  |
Written by Daniell on 19.09.2010 at 10:53 Im sorry to tell u this too, but it surely wouldnt coz u dont want it to....
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| vezzy Stallmanite Posts: 3493  |
You mean to tell me we're supposed to manipulate our minds into thinking it's good when it really isn't?
---- Licensed under the GPLv3. Relinquish proprietary software for a greater GNU/America.
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| MeTalRea|istiK Posts: 170 |
I dont like this album..this is very worst kamelot album ever..i hope that kamelot will produce a better album then this next time..
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| Zhao The Arkaholic Posts: 104 |
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| MeTalRea|istiK Posts: 170 |
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| ponderer Posts: 153  |
Totally disagree with the entire review. Great Kamelot cd. Also you know when a review comes out the day after the cd retails that it's going to be totally biased because the reviewer has maybe listened to it once or twice at best. The criteria for writing reviews and the quality of reviews on the whole has hit an all-time new low at Metalstorm.
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| BlankFile Posts: 686 |
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| BlankFile Posts: 686 |
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| vezzy Stallmanite Posts: 3493 |
Written by ponderer on 19.09.2010 at 19:08 Ladies and gentlemen, the fanboy of the year award goes to ponderer. Now, if you listen to it twice or thrice and don't like it, there's something wrong with it. And I do believe he wraps it up quite well. The album sucks, that's the case. Bland and laced in lots of poor melody to cover it up. First track reminded me of Rammstein, actually.
---- Licensed under the GPLv3. Relinquish proprietary software for a greater GNU/America.
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| Angelic Storm Melodious Posts: 6675  |
Written by BlankFile on 19.09.2010 at 19:21 So merely disagreeing with popular opinion makes someone a fanboy? Thats a bit shallow methinks....
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| vezzy Stallmanite Posts: 3493 |
It isn't merely disagreeing, he's saying MS is going down to the toilet because of one review he doesn't agree with. Also, I sort of find it funny how he finds this a great Kamelot CD. Mostly because it's so predictable considering his general perspective on things.
---- Licensed under the GPLv3. Relinquish proprietary software for a greater GNU/America.
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| Angelic Storm Melodious Posts: 6675 |
Written by vezzy on 19.09.2010 at 19:35 Okay, that is being fanboyish, I agree. lol I just took exception to the statement that he was a fanboy merely for liking an album which the majority here seem to be slating. He's a fanboy for getting so agitated over the review, and at the reviewer for not giving a positive review to an album he likes. Just liking an album that most others seem to hate doesn't make someone a fanboy.
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| Daniell _爱情_ elite Posts: 6061 |
Written by ponderer on 19.09.2010 at 19:08 You seem to be a very strange person. I stated that I listened to the album about 20 times, which I did. I also stated that I really like Kamelot - hte whole 1st paragraph of the review is about it. I even named 2 albums that I regard great. Yet you accuse me of writing a review after 1-2 listens... It looks like you only read the rating of the album, and didn't bother to check the rest.
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| Vikcen Metálico Posts: 970  |
Sometimes reminds me to album Epica, but this last record is a lot less inspired than Epica in my oppinion.
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| Wes Posts: 423  |
No it is not like Epica at all. Nice and honest review, this album is BAD, at any standard. It forces me, like the reviewer to TURN IT OFF. It's almost an annoying album. The worst song is undoubtedly "Hunter's Season", "someone to protect and be protected by..." I wonder where this vocal melody is going... terrible! It's all bad, that's about all there is to it. Many of the song's are extremely predictable, simplified versions of earlier songs by Kamelot.
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| RafaRata Posts: 117  |
Written by Guest on 19.09.2010 at 04:29 Well, this year is kinda sucking... I've been disappointed by Gamma Ray then Angra and now Kamelot 
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| Opethian Posts: 1729  |
HAHAHA its sad how the retard who reviewed the album was too ass hurt to admit the fact that Kamelot isnt a band that is going to put out the same record year after year. This band doesnt please a certain crowd and i take it that is what gets everyones panties mixed in a bunch .. so to say. IMHO this album is a TRUE follow up to TBH, i respect the fact that Kamelot doesnt in no way depend on their passed albums to move forward! Every album is a different experience. I love PFTP and its Kamelot doing what their excellent at, which is delivering great music 
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| Opethian Posts: 1729 |
Written by Wes on 19.09.2010 at 20:50 EPIC FAIL    
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| UnknownCheese Posts: 205 |
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| BlankFile Posts: 686 |
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| Opethian Posts: 1729 |
Written by UnknownCheese on 20.09.2010 at 02:16 Leave it to the ASS who decides to stay on the side lines and TROLL all day 
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| vezzy Stallmanite Posts: 3493 |
Hate to break it to you buddy, but you are the troll here. Forcing your idiotic opinion around and attacking all those who don't agree. Yes, it is different. It's plain and boring. 
---- Licensed under the GPLv3. Relinquish proprietary software for a greater GNU/America.
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| Carrion Misery Posts: 424  |
This has to be one of the largest net of opinions about a band's album catalog I've seen in a while. Ghost Opera was terrible. Ghost Opera is a masterpiece. They went down hill when they came out with Black Halo. Black Halo is their best album ever. It's an ok album, but it's no Black Halo. I'm on the band wagon of their old stuff is awesome, their new stuff is horrible slop. blah blah blah Honestly, It's good to see a wide variety of opinions and it shows we really care about our musical preferences! In this case, PftP might be lame for many, but I truly enjoy the vocal melodies. I think the guitar tends to be too much in the background on many of the songs and some vocal effects were a bit unnecessary. A great vocalist is like a great cut of steak - you don't need A1 to make it better. I really like all the first 6 songs, but after that it sort of feels a bit uninspired as if they rushed the last half of the album. I've been stuck on the first half because of that, so I'll eventually dissect the rest. PftP is definitely a grower imo and I've caught myself singing Hunter's Season and As If Tomorrow Came. I can agree with some points in the review, but it was absolutely trying too hard to reach for flaws and searching to add to it's paper trail of suck. Industrial Rock? Really? When it started off saying "The most fitting description of their sound is, no matter how I hate to admit it, power metal." There's no way around it. Kamelot is 100% power metal whether you like it or not. When I read that, I knew right away this review would be biased. Anyways, I give this CD a 7.5 which I'm sure will rise throughout time. Can't wait to see them live.
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