Kamelot – Discography Ranking

Kamelot are one of the most important names of the Power Metal scene. Not only have they composed some of the genre’s best albums inspiring countless other bands, but they are still present today releasing quality music that lives up to their legacy. Trademarks of the band are a theatrical approach in songwriting, amazing down to earth male vocals avoiding higher pitches (early period excluded) and emphasis in melodies that create many sing along moments.

Kamelot’s history can be divided into three periods with each one represented by a different vocalist. The early years gave birth to two albums, with Mark Vanedbilt behind the microphone and resembling nothing of the band we know today. During that time, the music of Kamelot was Power Metal in its more raw form. No emphasis in orchestrations, guitars had a more leading role and vocals did not hesitate to reach higher notes, even if Mark had his flaws. There is a small percentage of people that hold that period in high esteem disregarding everything that came after, while on the opposite Kamelot themselves have long forsaken it. Entering the Roy Khan era with one of the most pure, warm and beautiful voices to ever bless Power Metal. The band moves more and more away from the sound they had at first. Its most iconic releases were the result of this collaboration that lasted for seven LPs, but had also some lows during its end. And we come to the final period with a flame that is still burning bright, with Tommy Karevik as the frontman, a very charismatic frontliner with an excellent voice and stage presence. Having released four albums together, this era generates great results with each discography addition, with some people considering this version of Kamelot the best. 

Regardless of personal preference, there is of course no right or wrong choice. The band’s mastermind is the guitarist Thomas Youngblood who is ever present, so Kamelot’s spirit remains the same in its core. In reality, each of their endeavors has its graces and approaching with ears and mind open without dismissal, is the best thing to do. Luckily Roy is active in another group (Conception) so we can enjoy both him and Tommy in their respective bands on stage, so everyone is happy. Time for the countdown:

13 & 12 Eternity & Dominion (1995/1996)            

Ι sympathize with anyone loving the baby steps of Kamelot, tracks like Eternity, Call of the Sea and Heaven are very good Epic/Power Metal songs. But the reason both albums are coupled and put on the bottom of the list is because we are talking about a whole different band at that point. They do not represent today’s, or even older Kamelot, at all, who started moving away from that sound immediately after Vanedbilt’s departure. To be honest, compared to why the band is known for, they sound very generic despite their graces. If you like the classic form of Power Metal like the early period of Hammerfall, pre-Kotipelto era Stratovarius and Gamma Ray with Ralf Scheepers on vocals, then Eternity & Dominion are certainly worth a listen. But those two are the last reason I will listen to Kamelot today. 

11 Poetry for the Poisoned (2010)

Last album of the Khan period. Surely has its moments like the Great Pandemonium with the amazing chorus, Jon Oliva’s guest appearance in the Zodiac and the closing Once Upon a Time. In Poetry… we see Kamelot at their darkest, something that is also reflected by the cover, that could easily be mistaken with a Black Metal band’s. It was created by Seth Anton of Septic Flesh after all. There is not a song that you can tag as bad or boring, but most of them are average compared to the usual Kamelot quality. Also the title track is separated into four parts, with some ending up too short without allowing their ideas to build, creating a sense of un-needed urgency. 

10 The Shadow Theory (2018)

Third album with Tommy Karevic and first of that era to join our list. Don’t be mistaken, this is not four spots away from the bottom, but only ten from the top. It is also home to Burns to Embrace, what I believe to be one of the highlights of the latest Kamelot period. What this one lacks in comparison, is that Phantom Divine is the weakest first song in a Kamelot album, accompanied by Ravenlight that is very formulaic even if I like it very much. From there the situation improves and continues with many ups and fewer downs. I wouldn’t encourage skipping The Shadow Theory or any other album from this position onwards, but I can’t propose this as a starting point either. 

9 Siege Perilous (1998)

First album with Roy in the vocals after his transfer from Conception (who split up and reunited many years later). Many fans and the band alike, act like this album does not exist. If you like what Power Metal sounded like during the 90s, then we are talking about a gem here. Musically it is like a continuation of Dominion, with the first signs of moving away from this kind of metal, being present. Vocals are perfect and songs are the definition of epicness. Guitars are on the frontlines and I have to give extra credit for some of the best keyboards I have heard in an album. 

8 Silverthorn (2012)

Kamelot received a massive blow after the departure of Roy Khan. Thomas Youngblood needed to decide how to steer the band out of the storm and decided to employ Tommy Karevik (singer of Seventh Wonder), who not only sounded a lot like his predecessor, but you could also see similarities in his overall presentation. Understanding that it was not a good time to resume the experimentations of Poetry for the Poisoned, Silverthorn is a safer and back to the roots effort, taking things from where “Ghost Opera” left us. In the end, mastermind Thomas knew what he was doing as this album not just preserved the band’s name, but rejuvenated them and allowed them to rediscover their songwriting excellence. In case it isn’t obvious, preferences put aside, Tommy’s voice is exceptional and it feels like he was born to be in Kamelot.  

7 Haven (2015)

After Silverthorn’s success, Haven feels like the best follow up, with the whole band feeling more confident now. Tommy had proven his worth, the new sound direction was welcomed by the fans, so Kamelot only needed to do what they knew best. Write good songs and they did exactly that. This is also the starting line for a more modern approach in the band’s songwriting, something that accompanies them even today. I am talking about songs like Insomnia (musically) or Liar Liar (thematically), which are also Haven’s peaks. 

6 Ghost Opera (2007)

After the consecutive Karma, Epica and Black Halo, expectations were very high for the follow up. I believe Ghost Opera, while still being a great album, failed to maintain the same level overall. Roy Khan’s singing is phenomenal here, giving us some of his best performances. The opening Rule the World and title track prepare us for greatness, but end up being the best moments of the album. In order to enjoy it at its fullest, you must love the theatrical and soundtrack vibes radiating from everywhere.  There is a strong emphasis on vocals and orchestrations, with the Metal aspect having a secondary role. Ghost Opera is both a weak Metal album and an excellent Symphonic/Melodic gem, that if approached as such, will provide only beautiful moments.  

5 The Awakening (2023)

Arriving at the present with Kamelot’s latest release as of writing, The Awakening is everything we could ask from the band today. After the small missteps of The Shadow Theory, Kamelot took their time during the Covid period to work on their ideas and the result is a very good record. The only mid moment for me is One More Flag in the Ground, that feels more like a Within Temptation composition. With Opus of the Night winking at Ghost Opera, New Babylon’s collaboration with Melissa Bonny, My Pantheon’s larger than life chorus and an equally important rest tracklist, The Awakening carried Power Metal at its back during 2023. 

4 Epica (2003)

Reaching the top, we have only breathtaking albums from now on. Starting with Epica (that served as name inspiration for the band Epica) and bypassing the (forgive me) ugly cover, we have a moment of peak symphonic Power Metal. By being a concept album centered around Goethe’s Faust, the songwriting resembles a play at times, without missing faster moments. Center of the Universe still has a place in the band’s setlist, Lost & Damned charms with its originality, Farewell doesn’t pull any breaks, and bonus points go to everyone recognizing Luca Turilli’s guitar solo in Descent of the Archangel. Only drawback, there are perhaps too many interludes woven between songs.   

3 The Black Halo (2005)

I am sure many believed it to be at number two if not one and they would be right. March of Mephisto, When the Lights are Down, The Haunting, Nothing Ever Dies, should I go on? Just shuffle the tracklist, choose at random and you will end up only with great results. Roy shines once again, Shagrath and Simone Simons are very welcome guests and Thomas’ guitarwork is seminar material. The story continues where Epica left it, but Black Halo relies more on Symphonic elements and less than feeling like part of a movie.  

2 Fourth Legacy (1999)

I see some pitchforks raised, but Fourth Legacy is a monument of the Power Metal genre and I will die on that hill. Again, an album that has been locked somewhere deep in the band’s locker, that is not represented at all during revent live performances. Its Power Metal is passed through an epic filter and perhaps the last time we hear Roy Khan reaching some higher octaves. From the start, the riff of the title track grabs from the neck and does not hold its punches. Fans may be familiar with the magical Nights of Arabia, while Until Kingdom Comes is the quintessence of Power Metal. On their slower moments, Sailorman’s Hymn and Glory show how ballads should be approached in metal, by being soul touching moments. I agree that Fourth Legacy is the last instance where Kamelot focused on the epic element so much and its songs do not fit well with today’s setlists. Still, that doesn’t remove anything from its radiance and should be checked out by everyone sooner or later. 

1 Karma (2001)

Karma is like gathering a band’s greatest moments and mashing them together to create the ultimate album. Forever is the most sing-along Kamelot song. Elizabeth is a trilogy clocking at almost 20 minutes, a real musical journey that increases in intensity and speed as it progresses. The title track should forever be referenced in any discussion about the whole genre’s greatest songs. Every single vocal melody is inspired and anything we have said about Khan also applies here. What makes Karma better than the others, is its great balance between slower and faster moments and there are no interludes to stop the build up. This is the most definitive and complete Kamelot experience.   

Pavlos Pavlakis

On behalf of Metal Domain