Kamelot

For other uses, see Camelot (disambiguation)
Kamelot

Kamelot live in the Ghost Opera tour.
Background information
Origin Tampa, Florida, United States
Genres Power metal, progressive metal, symphonic metal, neoclassical metal
Years active 1991–present
Labels Napalm Records, Noise, Steamhammer, Sanctuary, Nuclear Blast, Edel Music
Website kamelot.com
Members Thomas Youngblood
Sean Tibbetts
Casey Grillo
Oliver Palotai
Tommy Karevik
Past members Mark Vanderbilt
Richard Warner
Glenn Barry
David Pavlicko
Roy Khan

Kamelot is an American power metal band from Tampa, Florida, formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. The Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared songwriting credit with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011. On June 22, 2012, Youngblood announced on their website that their new vocalist is the Swedish singer Tommy Karevik, who was first featured on Kamelot's album Silverthorn as main vocalist, co-songwriter and lyricist.

As of 2012, Kamelot had released ten studio albums (excluding two reissues), two live albums, one live DVD, and seven music videos. Their latest studio album is Haven, which was released May 2015 via Napalm Records.

Biography

Early years

Kamelot was unofficially formed back in 1988 by Youngblood, Wagner and others as "Camelot". The band recorded "Breaking The Silence" for the "Tampa Bay's Metal Mercenaries: The Invasion" a cassette of various Heavy Metal bands from Tampa Bay produced by Keith "Thumper" Collins (ex-bassist for Savatage).

Kamelot was officially founded in Florida by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991.[1] Three years later, the band signed a deal with Noise Records and released its first album, Eternity, in 1995. The next album, Dominion, was released in 1997. Later that year, the drummer and founder Warner and the lead vocalist Mark Vanderbilt were replaced by drummer Casey Grillo and vocalist Roy Khan (formerly of Conception).[1] With these two new members, Kamelot released its third studio album, Siege Perilous, in 1998. The band undertook its first tour during the fall, playing shows across Europe. Following this, the band returned to Tampa to write music for a new album titled The Fourth Legacy.

Karma, Epica and The Black Halo

In summer 2000, Kamelot undertook the "New Allegiance Tour" through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Greece and Spain, during which the recordings for Kamelot's first live album The Expedition were made. A few months later, the band released its fifth album, Karma. The sixth album, Epica, was released in 2003. To support the Epica album, the band toured through Europe (with At Vance as a supporting band) and Japan. Both Epica and the band's seventh album, The Black Halo, which was released in 2005, are based on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's version of the legend of Faust,[2] a man who sells his soul to the devil. To support the new album, the band toured through Europe and Japan. During the first leg of the "Black Halo World Tour 2005", Kamelot played a headliner show with Epica and Kotipelto. In Japan, the supporting group was Silent Force. The band also played at the Bang Your Head!!! Festival in Germany and the Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium.

Roy Khan was Kamelot's longest lead vocalist, from 1998 to 2011.

In 2005, Kamelot made its first music videos for the songs "The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)" and "March of Mephisto" from the album The Black Halo. Both videos were shot by the prolific director Patric Ullaeus. On October 5, 2005, Kamelot added Oliver Palotai as the fifth official band member; Palotai played both keyboards and (additional) guitars.

On the second leg of the Black Halo World Tour, Kamelot visited North America (Canada and the United States), South America (Brazil), and Europe (Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden). On February 11, 2006, the band's live DVD, One Cold Winter's Night was filmed by Patric Ullaeus at the Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo, Norway. It was released on November 17, 2006, in Germany, on November 20 in other parts of Europe, and on November 21 in the US and Canada via SPV Records.

Ghost Opera, Poetry for the Poisoned and Khan's departure

In fall 2006, the band returned to Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany, to record the album, Ghost Opera, which was released on June 1, 2007, in Germany, on June 4 in the rest of Europe, and on June 5 in the US. The album was recorded and mixed at Gate Studios and Pathway Studios in Wolfsburg with the producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. Music videos were made for the songs "Ghost Opera", "The Human Stain", "Rule the World" and "Love You to Death". A re-issue of Ghost Opera, labeled Ghost Opera: the Second Coming, was released shortly after its predecessor. It contains the entire original Ghost Opera album and a second CD with ten live songs recorded during a concert in Belgrade, Serbia, with the additional bonus tracks, "Season's End", "The Pendulous Fall", "Epilogue" and "Rule the World (Remixed)". In December 2009, Youngblood announced that the bass guitarist Glenn Barry had officially left the band and had been replaced by the touring bass guitarist and an original Kamelot member, Sean Tibbetts.[3]

In January 2009, Kamelot started working on their ninth studio album, in a cabin in Norway. It was said that the band was exploring "new sounds" and that the topics on the new album would be diverse.[4] During early 2010, Kamelot published the titles of three songs from the upcoming album on their official website: "The Great Pandemonium", "Hunter's Season" and "Thespian Drama". They also revealed that guest musicians would appear: Simone Simons (she provided vocals for the ballad "House on a Hill" and the album's title track), and later Gus G, of the Greek power metal band Firewind.[4][5] On March 25, 2010, they began the "Pandemonium over Europe" tour, which ended on April 26, 2010. Afterward, the band revealed the title of their ninth studio album as Poetry for the Poisoned. It was released by earMUSIC (the international label of the entertainment group Edel) in Europe on September 10, 2010, and by the band's own label KMG Recordings (via Knife Fight Media and Dismanic Distribution) in North America on September 14, 2010.[6] A music video for "The Great Pandemonium" was directed by Owe Lingvall and was released on September 1, 2010.[6][7] Poetry for the Poisoned entered the US Billboard 200 charts at number 74, selling 6,100 copies in its first week. (Source: Blabbermouth, Kamelot.com)

On September 6, 2010, the band announced that Khan had fallen seriously ill during rehearsals for the upcoming North American tour, just a few days before its scheduled start, and had returned to Norway. While it was initially reported that the band would continue the tour with the Norwegian vocalist Michael Eriksen of Circus Maximus in Khan's place,[8] the band later announced that it would postpone the tour with Khan, though one show was performed with Eriksen at the ProgPower USA XI festival in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 10, 2010.[9] However, on December 16, due to Khan's lingering illness, it was announced that Fabio Lione of Rhapsody of Fire would replace Khan for the remaining and rescheduled dates on the Pandemonium over Latin America, Europe and North America tours in 2011, and later the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise in 2012.[10] Other guest singers appeared on selected shows, such as Simone Simons singing The Haunting and Don't You Cry, Tommy Karevik singing Center of the Universe, EdenEcho or The Human Stain, Snowy Shaw as Mephisto on March of Mephisto, Alissa White-Gluz also as Mephisto on March of Mephisto and Atle Pettersen on Karma. On April 15, 2011, the band released Poetry for the Poisoned & Live from Wacken – Limited Tour Edition, containing the audio from Khan's last recorded show with the band.

Following a period of uncertainty, Khan and Kamelot released separate statements on April 21 and 22 respectively, announcing Khan's departure from the band. According to Youngblood, the band was already searching for a new singer, with the deadline for submissions at the end of January.[11][12]

New singer, Silverthorn and Haven

Karevik officially assumed Khan's place as lead vocalist in 2012.

On June 22, Kamelot introduced Seventh Wonder's Tommy Karevik as their new official vocalist. Karevik had previously appeared as one of the guest singers on the 2011 Pandemonium World Tour, and was thrilled about his new position: “I am so honored to now be a part of this family and I can't wait to move into the new era of the band together with the guys. I fully understand that this comes with great responsibility and that it will be a big challenge for me as a singer as well as a person, but you can rest assured I will give it my all. From this day, a new journey has begun and I am really eager to meet you all along the way to share my passion for this music!”.[13] Their first show with Karevik was on July 12, 2012 at Masters of Rock.

Kamelot returned to the German label SPV GmbH to release their tenth record (their first with Karevik), which was unveiled as Silverthorn in July, along with a release date of October 26, 2012. A music video was released for the first single from Silverthorn, Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife).[14] The band joined Nightwish on their Northern American tour as special guests during September and October 2012 in the period leading up to the release of Silverthorn, along with guest-vocalists Elize Ryd and Alissa White-Gluz.[15] Following the North American tour Kamelot embarked on a European headlining tour during November 2012, with support on the tour coming from Xandria, Triosphere and Blackguard. Silverthorn was greeted with positive reviews and the band once again charted in the top 100 on the US Billboard Charts at number 74. The band also toured new countries on Silverthorn including Australia, Korea and Taiwan. During an interview in 2013, Youngblood stated that new vocalist Karevik exceeded expectations.[16] During another interview on October 3, Youngblood stated that Kamelot will start recording their upcoming album in Summer 2014.[17]

On February 23, 2015, It was announced that the new Kamelot album will be called "Haven", and it will be released on May 5, 2015. The band confirmed that Alissa White-Gluz, Troy Donockley and Charlotte Wessels will be appearing as guest stars on the album.[18]

Line-up

Current members

Former members

  • Roy Khan: vocals (1998–2011)
  • Glenn Barry: bass guitar (1992–2009)
  • David Pavlicko: keyboards (1993-1998)
  • Mark Vanderbilt: vocals (1991–1998)
  • Richard Warner: drums (1991–1997)

Live members

Former live members

  • Günter Werno: keyboards (2000)
  • Mats Olausson: keyboards (2003)
  • Heather Shockley: vocals (2005)
  • Sean Tibbetts: bass guitar (2006-2009)
  • Anne-Catrin Maerzke: vocals (2007-2009)
  • Jake E Berg: vocals (2010-2011)
  • Michael Eriksen: vocals (2010)
  • Fabio Lione: vocals (2011-2012)
  • Tommy Karevik: vocals (2011)
  • Linnéa Vikström: vocals (2012, 2015)
  • Coen Janssen: keyboards (2013)

Session musicians

Guest musicians

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
USA
[19]		 GER
[20]		 SWE
[21]		 NOR
[22]		 FIN
[23]		 AUT
[24]		 SWI
[25]		 FRA
[26]		 NLD
[27]		 JPN
[28]		 UK
[29]
Eternity
  • Released: August 5, 1995
  • Label: Noise Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
— — — — — — — — — — —
Dominion
  • Released: February 5, 1997
  • Label: Noise Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
— — — — — — — — — — —
Siége Perilous
  • Released: August 5, 1998
  • Label: Noise Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
— — — — — — — — — — —
The Fourth Legacy
  • Released: September 19, 1999
  • Label: Noise Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
— — — — — — — — — — —
Karma
  • Released: July 9, 2001
  • Label: Sanctuary Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
— 85 — — — — — — — 93 —
Epica
  • Released: January 13, 2003
  • Label: Noise Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
— 59 — — 28 — — 117 — 47 —
The Black Halo
  • Released: March 15, 2005
  • Label: Steamhammer/SPV
  • Formats: CD, digital download
— 81 24 — — — — 101 — 41 —
Ghost Opera
  • Released: June 4, 2007
  • Label: Steamhammer/SPV
  • Formats: CD, digital download
— 61 29 25 35 — 88 83 51 34 —
Poetry for the Poisoned
  • Released: September 29, 2010
  • Label: Edel Music/KMG
  • Formats: CD, digital download, Vinyl
79 32 23 7 21 57 48 54 43 55 143
Silverthorn[31]
  • Released: October 24, 2012
  • Label: Steamhammer/SPV
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 74 36 20 17 28 70 55 121 54 65 168
Haven[32]
  • Released: May 5, 2015
  • Label: Napalm Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download, vinyl
— — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Title Album details
Myths & Legends of Kamelot
  • Released: August 13, 2007
  • Label: SPV
  • Formats: CD

Live albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
JPN
[28]
The Expedition
  • Released: October 10, 2000
  • Label: Noise Records
  • Formats: CD
 —
One Cold Winter's Night
  • Released: November 14, 2006
  • Label: SPV/Steamhammer
  • Formats: CD
 197
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Video albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
SWE
[33]		 JPN
[28]
One Cold Winter's Night
  • Released: October 30, 2006
  • Label: Steamhammer
  • Formats: DVD
 8 280
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

Music videos

Year Title Directed Album
2005 "The Haunting" (featuring Simone Simons) Patric Ullaeus[36][37] The Black Halo
"March Of Mephisto" (featuring Shagrath)
"Serenade" Casey Grillo
2007 "Ghost Opera" IvanCode-iCodeTeam Ghost Opera
"The Human Stain"[38] IvanCode-iCodeTeam
2008 "Rule The World"[39] IvanCode-iCodeTeam
2009 "The Pendulous Fall" Casey Grillo Ghost Opera - The Second Coming
"Love You To Death" IvanCode-iCodeTeam[40]
2010 "The Great Pandemonium" (featuring Björn "Speed" Strid) Owe Lingwall[41] Poetry For The Poisoned
"Hunter's Season"[42]
—
2011 "Necropolis"[43] Owe Lingvall
2012 "Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)" (featuring Elize Ryd & Alissa White-Gluz) IvanCode-iCodeTeam[44] Silverthorn
2013 "My Confession" (featuring Eklipse)[45]
2014 "Falling Like the Fahrenheit"[46]
—
2015 "Insomnia" IvanCode-iCodeTeam[47] Haven

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Kamelot Bio". December 4, 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  2. ↑ Carlson, Harley (August 2005). "Kamelot: The Black Halo". Last Rites. Retrieved November 11, 2013. Continuing as well as greatly broadening the Faustus themed concept first introduced on 2003’s Epica, its successor The Black Halo offers an even deeper and darker glimpse into an already complex and introspective storyline.
  3. ↑ T., Peggy (December 1, 2009). "Kamelot Announces New Bassist Sean Tibbetts". Metal Underground. Retrieved November 11, 2013. Bassist Sean Tibbetts has been on tour with Kamelot now for more than 2.5 years, stepping in for Glenn Barry while he took time off for family.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Latest News".
  5. ↑ "Kamelot announces Gus G. as a guest musician". May 18, 2010. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "KAMELOT Signs With earMUSIC; New Album Details Revealed". June 21, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Village Road Film". June 6, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Kamelot singer falls ill, North American Tour To Go On!".
  9. ↑ "Kamelot Postpone Full North American Tour".
  10. ↑ "US Shows Announced! Singer Update…". Official Kamelot Website. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
  11. ↑ "Kamelot Statement". Official Kamelot Website. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  12. ↑ "So Long – Roy's Statement". Official Roy Kahn Myspace. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  13. ↑ "The New Chapter is begins! Kamelot reveals new vocalist". Official Kamelot Website. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  14. ↑ "Kamelot Unveil Video For Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)". Scribes Of Metal. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  15. ↑ "Kamelot announces North American Tour 2012!". Official Kamelot Website. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  16. ↑ http://www.loudmag.com.au/content/kamelot-a-new-legacy
  17. ↑ "Kamelot Guitarist Thomas Youngblood Tells Us About the Early Days and Where They Are Headed Next". sicasylum.com. 2013-10-03. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  18. ↑ "Kamelot's New Album". 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  19. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kamelot-p276107/charts-awards
  20. ↑ http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Kamelot/12637/longplay
  21. ↑ http://swedishcharts.com/search.asp?search=kamelot&cat=a
  22. ↑ http://norwegiancharts.com/search.asp?search=kamelot&cat=a
  23. ↑ http://finnishcharts.com/search.asp?search=Kamelot&cat=a
  24. ↑ http://austriancharts.at/search.asp?search=kamelot&cat=a
  25. ↑ http://hitparade.ch/search.asp?search=kamelot&cat=a
  26. ↑ http://lescharts.com/search.asp?search=kamelot&cat=a
  27. ↑ http://dutchcharts.nl/search.asp?search=kamelot&cat=a
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/58451/ranking/cd_album/
    http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/58451/ranking/dvd/
  29. ↑ http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/101002cluk.txt
    http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/121110cluk.txt
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-more-silverthorn-first-week-chart-positions-revealed/
  31. ↑ "Metal Express Radio". Metal Express Radio. 2013-04-12. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
  32. ↑ "Kamelot New Album Details, Tracklist & Album Art". Metal CallOut. 2015-02-23. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  33. ↑ http://www.sverigetopplistan.se
  34. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sacrimony-angel-afterlife/id554283128
  35. ↑ http://www.kamelot.com/site/release/falling-like-the-fahrenheit-digital-single/
  36. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-the-haunting-video-posted-online/
  37. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-march-of-mephisto-video-posted-online/
  38. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-the-human-stain-video-posted-online/
  39. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-rule-the-world-video-released/
  40. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-love-you-to-death-video-released/
  41. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-the-great-pandemonium-video-released/
  42. ↑ http://bravewords.com/news/kamelot-hunters-season-live-video-available
  43. ↑ http://pearldrum.com/news-events/artist-news/kamelot-releases-video-for-necropolis
  44. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-sacrimony-angel-of-afterlife-video-released/
  45. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-my-confession-video-released/
  46. ↑ http://classicrock.teamrock.com/news/2014-08-28/kamelot-feel-the-cold-in-video
  47. ↑ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kamelot-insomnia-video-premiere/

External links

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