Kamelot - Epica (2003)

Alright, time to get going again. It's now 2003, and let's kick off with Kamelot.
I've made no secret that American power metal bands are not my favourites in general (although progressive metal is a bit different - I love Savatage), but Kamelot is as good as any of them, and probably better than them too.
This album, their sixth, is based on Johann Goethe's "Faust", with Mephisto making a deal with God, and trying to claim the soul of Ariel, so he can return to Heaven. Or something like that.
There's a gracefulness about this record that is appealling, with such songs as "Center Of The Universe", "Descent Of The Archangel" and "The Mourning After" deft in their tunefulness, while there's no denying that Roy Khan is a very impessive vocalist. Maybe another listen would have me rating it higher but, for now, I'll say that this is one of Kamelot's best releases, without being breathtakingly brilliant, and well worth a listen.

***1/2