KAMELOT have finalized the track listing for their new album, "The Black Halo", due on February 28, 2005 through SPV Records. The follow-up to last year's "Epica" was produced by Sascha Paeth and Miro at Gate and Pathway studios in Germany and features guest appearances by Shagrath (DIMMU BORGIR), Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS), Simone Simons (EPICA), Mari (MASQUERAID), as well as the KAMELOT choir, featuring Herbie Langhans (SEVENTH AVENUE), Amanda Somerville-Scharf, Miro, Gerit Göbel, Thomas Rettke (HEAVEN'S GATE) and Elisabeth Kjaernes, among others.
"The Black Halo" track listing:
01. March of Mephisto
02. When the Lights Are Down
03. The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)
04. Soul Society
05. Interlude I: Dei Gratia
06. Abandoned
07. This Pain
08. Moonlight
09. Interlude II: Un Assassinio Molto Silenzioso
10. The Black Halo
11. Nothing Ever Dies
12. Memento Mori
13. Interlude III: Midnight - Twelve Tolls for a New Day
14. Serenade
In a recent interview with a Spanish metal magazine, KAMELOT mainman/songwriter Thomas Youngblood spoke about about the lyrical themes on the new CD.
"This will be the second and final segment of the 'Epica' story," he revealed. "However artistically it is a different album altogether. The cover is different, the songs are heavier and the subject is definitely on the darker side of the story. Much like the second part of 'Faust'. Lyrically, there is a finalization of the story and conclusion of the saga. There are many parallels to our own lives today. Religion is a big theme on this new album one cannot deny the role that religion has on current events around the world.
"We knew that we would record the second part of the 'Epica' story," he continued. "The question was whether to do it now or later. Since the new songs on the album are really a different album from 'Epica' we thought to do it now. The story line continues into the main character Ariel's descent into the dark side of life. We are always changing and evolving with the sound and artwork, so the next release will reflect that. We have a black metal vocalist [DIMMU BORGIR's Shagrath] play the part of Mephisto. Logically."
As previously reported, KAMELOT will embark on the "Black Halo Over Japan Tour 2005" beginning on April 19. Confirmed dates are as follows:
Apr. 19 - Osaka, JPN @ TBA
Apr. 21 - Tokyo, JPN @ Ebisu Liquid Room
Apr. 22 - Tokyo, JPN @ Ebisu Liquid Room
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This is some very awesome news. I can't wait to hear the outcome. This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2005. Epica was amazing and the thought of this being better is just mind blowing.
"The Black Halo" track listing:
01. March of Mephisto
02. When the Lights Are Down
03. The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)
04. Soul Society
05. Interlude I: Dei Gratia
06. Abandoned
07. This Pain
08. Moonlight
09. Interlude II: Un Assassinio Molto Silenzioso
10. The Black Halo
11. Nothing Ever Dies
12. Memento Mori
13. Interlude III: Midnight - Twelve Tolls for a New Day
14. Serenade
In a recent interview with a Spanish metal magazine, KAMELOT mainman/songwriter Thomas Youngblood spoke about about the lyrical themes on the new CD.
"This will be the second and final segment of the 'Epica' story," he revealed. "However artistically it is a different album altogether. The cover is different, the songs are heavier and the subject is definitely on the darker side of the story. Much like the second part of 'Faust'. Lyrically, there is a finalization of the story and conclusion of the saga. There are many parallels to our own lives today. Religion is a big theme on this new album one cannot deny the role that religion has on current events around the world.
"We knew that we would record the second part of the 'Epica' story," he continued. "The question was whether to do it now or later. Since the new songs on the album are really a different album from 'Epica' we thought to do it now. The story line continues into the main character Ariel's descent into the dark side of life. We are always changing and evolving with the sound and artwork, so the next release will reflect that. We have a black metal vocalist [DIMMU BORGIR's Shagrath] play the part of Mephisto. Logically."
As previously reported, KAMELOT will embark on the "Black Halo Over Japan Tour 2005" beginning on April 19. Confirmed dates are as follows:
Apr. 19 - Osaka, JPN @ TBA
Apr. 21 - Tokyo, JPN @ Ebisu Liquid Room
Apr. 22 - Tokyo, JPN @ Ebisu Liquid Room
-------------------------------------------
This is some very awesome news. I can't wait to hear the outcome. This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2005. Epica was amazing and the thought of this being better is just mind blowing.
