Ever since the arrival of Norwegian born vocalist Roy Khan (ex-Conception) to this Florida, U.S.A based band for their fourth album, The Fourth Legacy (2000), Kamelot started racing up the ladder of success. With their string of consistently strong albums, they're one of the best melodic power metal bands in existence. In a genre that's become increasingly saturated with many generic sounding bands, Kamelot has carved a niche for themselves and with every album they release, further distance themselves from the competition. Their last album Epica was widely believed to be not only the best album of their career but also one of the better albums in the melodic power/progressive metal genre. With a concept album based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faustus, the band's personal views, philosophies and experiences were infused into the classic tale that deals with themes of good vs. evil as well as life and death. Epica also saw growth in the band's sound with more symphonic elements and slower paced tracks with less of the speedy power metal that they've become known for. This new album The Black Halo, the band's seventh album, is a continuation of the Epica theme and sees Kamelot getting even further away from the speedier sound with a more darker, atmospheric and more progressive album all the while maintaining the great melodic and heavy sound they've become known for. Once again, the production duo of Sascha Paeth (Heaven's Gate) and Miro are at the helm and many guests appear on this album including Jens Johansson (Stratovarius) who provides some lead keyboards on a few tracks. Guest vocalists include Simone Simons (Epica), Mari (Masqueraid) and Shagrath (Dimmu Borgir) whose guttural scowl provides some "evilness" on a couple of tracks.

Instead of a speedy opening track like on previous albums, The Black Halo begins with a killer and heavy epic March Of Mephisto. Like it's title implies, it's a pounding and orchestrated march-like track that immediately establishes a darker atmosphere with more of a progressive edge. Roy's vocals, although still very melodic take on a different feel and add the perfect blend of melody and a solid chorus to compliment this track whereas Shagrath's contributions add a more sinister touch. The killer tracks just keep coming with When The Lights Go Down getting back to the speedier Kamelot sound of old. Catchy and melodic, this one again has a killer chorus and great speedy riffs. With the third track The Haunting (Somewhere In Time), I believe that this may be in fact one of the best songs Kamelot has ever written. The use of female vocals in duet with Roy Khan as well as an arrangement that alternates between quiet atmospheric and heavy sections works perfectly. The big slicing Iced Earth style guitar riffs and amazing chorus all come together to produce a track that is instantly likeable right from the first listen. The quality continues with Soul Society; a great mix of stuttering and chunky riffs and some speedy sections all combined with Roy's amazingly powerful voice and some outstanding guitar work by Thomas Youngblood. With Abandoned, the band tones it down with a beautiful piano intro that sets the stage for a heart-wrenching power ballad that uses choir effects and full orchestration to compliment the full beauty of Roy's voice. This Pain and Moonlight both show Queensryche influences with This Pain using riffs similar to those in Spreading The Disease (Operation Mindcrime). With a big rich and heavy sound with the guitar way up front in the mix, this one's a killer! Moonlight uses a pounding heavy style with lots of power chords and has a chorus that is one of the more memorable on the album. The way that the heavy parts weave in and out with such precision and at just the right accents for the vocals is evidence of not only the quality of this album but of the grasp that Kamelot has on their sound and how to use it like no-one else can.

There are 14 tracks on this album with four interludes used to help tie the songs together in keeping with the overall conceptual theme. There are no filler tracks on this album and although I found a couple of tracks to be a bit below the quality of the others, it really comes down to personal taste. Never before has this band sounded any better. The Black Halo is Kamelot at it's finest. Every track is perfectly produced and although some might get the misconception that a more progressive, slower and darker edge may mean less heavy, such is not the case here. Some of the heaviest music Kamelot has ever done is found on this album. The melodic edge is still ever present with some of the best choruses I've ever heard from them but their music has more of an atmosphere and intensity than ever before. Special mention must be made of bassist Glenn Barry and drummer Casey Grillo whose solid performances have helped to give us one the best sounding melodic power metal albums ever in my opinion. The year is still young but The Black Halo is going to definitely be somewhere near the top of my list for the best of 2005. Even for casual fans of melodic power metal, this one's a must. One of the best bands in the genre has gotten even better and if you thought that they could never top Epica....they have!!!