KAMELOT is a Symphonic/Power Metal band from Florida. Formed in 1987 (as CAMELOT), they've had an impressively prolific career. The Awakening is their 13^th studio album, released March 17, 2023, via Napalm Records. In that time, they've set the standard for American Power Metal, leading the charge and putting the US on the proverbial map. As is common, and some would say expected, the album opens with a short instrumental, Overture." Power Metal lends itself to the epic opening track, and KAMELOT delivers. The first lyric song is "The Great Divide," and it starts with Alex Landen bringing the song to life with a killer drum intro. That leads to a spectacular guitar/keyboard riff layered over a massive Power Metal rhythm, all of which is wrapped around Tommy Karevik's epic voice.

There are a number of guest appearances on this record, bringing in different elements to bolster the effect of the music and the vocals. The album features Tina Guo on cello on "Opus Of The Night (Ghost Requiem)" and "Midsummer's Eve," which also has Florian Janoske on violin. "New Babylon" has both Simone Simons and Melissa Bonny as guests, giving that track a stunning array of voices. That is not the complete list, but it shows what lengths KAMELOT will go to in order to make the album sound just right. One of the most over the top, bombastic songs on the record is "One More Flag In The Ground," The Arabesque vocalizations at the beginning are an excellent touch, as is having Kobra Paige and Brian Howes helping with backing vocals. There are so many voices, and they all work together beautifully. The chugging riff, the choir-like vocals, the galloping rhythm, they all work together to make that song hit like a tidal wave.

The next two tracks feature the strings, weaving delicate melodies into the tracks, giving the Symphonic Metal a chance to really stand out. Tommy throws a lot of cry into is voice during these songs, adding more emotion, create pain and despair, highlighted by the vibrato and the way he falls off some of the notes. The way "Midsummer's Eve" stays in ballad mode after the heaviness of the previous song is such a beautiful contrast, accentuated by the mournful cello at the end of the track. "New Babylon" is a work of art. The opening vocal section is nothing short of stunning. Those voices combine to create something akin to euphoria. Melissa and Simone have such different voices that they are easily distinguishable, and each plays the part it should, giving the impression of different characters in a play that has, at times, a massive choir behind it. Then Melissa goes harsh with her voice and the final element falls into place for this epic track. As good as the rest of the album is, this is the pinnacle for me.

After two more lyric tracks, one that acts as a Power Ballad and the other as a Power Metal classic, the album is closed out with a postlude, "Ephemera." This is the song that plays as the credits roll on the film. The Awakening is a cinematic album that you can visualize while hearing, allowing you to direct the movie you want to see in your own mind. KAMELOT is more than just Power Metal or Symphonic Metal. They are more than Cinematic Metal. They combine these elements and create entire worlds, then take you on a journey through that world. It's no wonder their fans are absolutely in love with the band. They get what they desire most from the music; pure, unadulterated escapism. They get to be lost within the music, get to watch all their worries washed away, get to live free of everything but bliss for the duration of the record. What a gift to have given to us.