Entertainment
Andrew’s Judgmental Album Reviews: Kamelot – The Awakening (2023)
Will this be The Awakening of my enjoyment of post-Roy Khan Kamelot…or does the JAR continue to cherry pick?

Kamelot is in an interesting boat with me. You see, much like another notable Symphonic Metal band, Nightwish, there are fan groups that prefer one singer over the other. While with Nightwish I was firmly on team Tarja until Floor showed up and knocked it out of the park having the perfect voice to compliment the classical approach of the old catalogue and a more modern approach of the Anette years; Kamelot has been a different story. I was a huge fan of Kamelot during the Roy Khan years and the replacements never really stuck with me. A few songs here or there would catch my attention, but the music generally fell flat.
So instead of a situation where I haven’t listened to a band in “X number of years”; this is more of a prove it review. Lets see if Tommy can finally keep me engaged even half as much as Roy used to.
Kamelot is: Tommy Karevik (Vocals), Alex Landenberg (Drums, Percussion), Sean Tibbetts (Bass), Oliver Palotai (Keyboards, Guitars), Thomas Youngblood (Guitars)
- Artist: Kamelot
- Album: The Awakening (2023)
- Label: Napalm Records
- Total Track Time: 52:50
Overture – Intro is just an instrumental intro as one probably expected. It uses pounding drums, soaring string arrangements and gives this grandiose, dark and powerful vibe to kick things off, before ending in a somber few piano notes and then kicking back up directly into the next song. The Great Divide takes the intro chords and speeds it up a little for this soaring song of longing and determination to cross the great divide for their love. “Somewhere far beyond the great divide, Where the darkness meets the light, Like an everlasting storm, You will be my paramour” – simple fantasy concept since it uses darker war torn imagery through the song, but sung very well with a great arrangement. Eventide the song inspired from the Magic the Gathering set – no I keed…or I hope I keed. As for the song it keeps the faster soaring tempo, coloring a little darker with the keyboard elements and the more noticeable drum blast beats and fills. A song of companionship, and one’s death being used more like a guiding light for the other. Again, more fantasy colored, but that’s how this genre works. One More Flag in the Ground almost feels like a sequel to Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy), which isn’t a bad thing. The tempo stays up, but guitars are more distorted and keyboards have more of a prog metal sound to them. So each song is doing enough to not sound too similar.
Opus of the Night (Ghost Requiem) feat Tina Guo we get more of a symphonic opening and then going into straight up prog metal including the tremolo flairs and a song that seems to be about a Vampire Queen. It definitely feels like Castlevania and I just really like this verse for the lyrical imagery; “Trembling steps into a world she had forgotten, Dusty roses on a royal velvet seat, And the letter in her name, Brings her back again, Familiar the notes upon the sheet”. They had a whole three part song story about Elizabeth Bathory back in the day, so this is very on brand, and pretty damn fantastic. Midsummer’s Eve feat Tina Guo is such a beautiful tempo shift. Going from darker songs and then a Summer colored love song with what I think is a cello solo. But this gives me Sailorman’s Hymn vibes and its amazing. Bloodmoon more songs about Magic the Gathering! The whole album is now mountains! But no in all seriousness, THIS, is finally that level of boring they’ve been in the past decade or so. I’ve been loving the whole album until we get to whatever this generic symphonic mess is. Is it unlistenable? No. But does it evoke anything? Also no. NightSky turns me off with the heavy electronic intro, because it just bodes ill for more generic crap. And yup, nap time, this last two songs are about as original as an anime with cute girls doing cute things.
The Looking Glass starts with the lyrics; “What if I told you a story, Where all that you wished for came true” – what I wish for is to stop with these bad generic songs. You think a distorted guitar riff and vague lyrics about broken hearts and pain…in completely wrong musical accompaniment is good? Stop it, get some help. New Babylon feat Melissa Bonny so even before the song gets going, I love Melissa Bonny, so it will take a lot for me to hate this. Be it features, Ad Infinitum or Rage of Light, she is a wonderful singer with fantastic range. It starts with almost like this Viking Warship aura, with chanted gang harmonies, lyrical overtones of war and a conquest. So it is a bit more reminiscent of March Mephisto but I’m not mad at it. OH and Melissa gets the opportunity to show off her beautiful clean soprano range and her growled vocals. Solid song, not as great as the first half, but definitely a good turn out of the generic trash skid. Willow evokes a very similar emotion as Nemo from Nightwish. Its somber with heavier moments. Unlike Nemo this is more a song of remembering the safety and growth under the umbrella of memory. “Underneath the willow (willow tree), Where my roots grow childhood deep (grow childhood deep), My memories remain my pillow, As I fall asleep”, I also just really like the lyrical imagery in this song. My Pantheon (Forevermore) given the fact this second half has been more bad than good, I came into this song a bit pessimistic; but musically its a little different and this line is evocative, “We leave the ignorant behind, This is the beauty condemnation, Tell me how can one paint, In colour for the blind”. Its a very cool fantasy song of being born in war torn times and searching for truth amongst the madness. Which oddly applies to the last few years of reality a bit more than it probably should. Ephemera – Outro is a nice lighter instrumental with the symphonic arrangement. I enjoy the title of it even if it’s a little presumptuous since Ephemera means a fleeting enjoyment. So ending the album with the hopes of bringing some enjoyment, whilst sounding like it should be on a Final Fantasy ost, sticks the landing…even if it assumes you enjoyed it.
Well there was a lot contained in this album. I will say, even though I was highly critical of Bloodmoon through The Looking Glass, everything else about this album was nearly perfect. The highs were so high that even 3 unimaginative generic cacophonies only sinks the overall score a little. I’m being harsh calling them cacophonies, of course, but they aren’t anywhere near the level of the rest of the album. The first half restored my faith in the band, those three songs reminded me why I cherry pick since Roy left, but at least they ended pretty damn strong again.
This is the best album they’ve done with Tommy, I just wish they’d get over the stupid filler songs. If it wasn’t for those three, this could’ve probably made a legitimate case for album of the year…and its only March. So give it a spin, skip songs 7-9, and enjoy!
Final Judgment: 8.3/10
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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Bandwagon Nerds
Bandwagon Nerds #288: Disney In The Desert
Disney makes a controversial decision about where it is building its 7th theme park. Plus, loads of trailers, Thunderbolts* news, DCU updates, and more!

Patrick returns to the show this week and leads the guys through a stacked Trailer Park, including the most recent previews of Old Guard 2, The Long Walk, Peacemaker Season 2, and Stick. Patrick also shares his thoughts with Dave and Tunney about Thunderbolts* and addresses some interesting rumors about what didn’t make it into the film. Meanwhile, Disney makes a very divisive decision about a 7th theme park, and President Trump’s trade war targets the film industry. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. If you are curious, we have answers, so make sure you tune in!
- @AttitudeAgg
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- @itsmedpp
- @ViolentAesop
- @TheMindlessPod
- @therealcplatt
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PROWRESTLINGTEES.COM/TheChairshot – Makes a GREAT GIFT!!!
About Bandwagon Nerds
Join Patrick O’Dowd, David Ungar, PC Tunney, Rey Cash, and DPP as they keep everyone up on all things nerd and maybe add some new nerds along the way. It’s the Bandwagon Nerds Podcast!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY – 4 Corners Podcast (sports)
WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY – POD is WAR
FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)
http://TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5
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About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Prepare for the most electrifying even of the HPW calendar!
While the stage is set for Blood & Thunder 4 and the HPW World Trios Championships, HPW must also address the return of KAGE!
Thundra Plateau is ready.
Wrestling is Life, but life has its stormy weather. The rain is going to be hot in June, but will the reign continue through the Summer? The Dark Forces may have failed to take the Undisputed Triforce World Championship from Zelda, but they still have the World Trios Championships. Harlequin, Lupay & Glutko will step inside the double ring, double cage to defend their gold. On one side, Arrow Club’s special combination of Fin Balure, Torbevito & Bad Croc Scaly. On the other, a new combination of its own in Cia, Lana & Midna.
Speaking of Cia, Lana & Midna…
The three of them are together, dressed in workout attire, in what appears to be a dance studio. This is a collaboration stream for Midna and Lana as they’re both big presences on the internet, aka “influencers.” Lana and Midna wave and say hi, and they give introductions, including Cia, who is reluctant to be standing there. Cia doesn’t know why they need to do this. Lana says they have to improve their teamwork. They may have won against Los Taros Locos, but it was really sketchy there for a second. Midna adds that doing a dance routine together is great for their timing and coordination.
Cia says she didn’t mean that, she meant having to stream it! Oh, well obviously, combining Midna’s viewing audience with Lana’s, and HPW’s overall, this makes huge numbers! So? And huge money…! Cia raises her eyebrow and says, “Oh really?” The trio sets up, and Lana says obviously they first have to learn the steps. Midna brings up, “Wait, what song are we dancing to?” Oh, good point. Lana was thinking something from Lulu. Cia asks, “Lulu? From the Indigo-Go’s?” Midna says Lulu’s got a great solo album. Lana agrees! That’s so great that they like the same music. Cia isn’t as familiar with her solo stuff, so she’ll rely on them for this.
Lana suggests they go with Energetic Me. For one, it has the most energy, duh. And it still has a dance vibe, which is the whole point. Midna says she might’ve gone with Royal Discotheque or Ten Outta Ten, but she sees Lana’s point. Lana shows them the dance moves she has in mind. Left arm up, bent at the elbow, and the hand up against the side of the chest. Then they switch so the right arm goes up to mirror that position while the left hand goes back to the hip. Maybe add a little hip pop as that happens. Do that a couple times, and then turn to the right. This puts the left hand on the back of the hip, right hand on the back of the neck for a sexy pose.
Then you turn to flip it the other way, then do a 360 with a big neck whipping, hair flipping move. Then finish with feet apart and double V’s up by the eyes, maybe with a wink. Cia says, “Yeah, okay…” while Midna says, “I like it!” Midna says she’ll set up in the middle. Cia asks why Midna is in the middle, and Midna says it’s symmetry. She’s the tallest, Cia and Lana are about the same, it makes sense. Yeah, but it also means Midna is the center of attention. Well, that’s just coincidental. Lana says it doesn’t matter, the point is them doing it all in synch. Cia sighs and says, “Fine.” Midna is in the middle, Cia is on her right, and the music plays.
Left arm, right arm, left arm, right arm, pose to the right, pose to the left, 360 spin and neck whip, then double V. Midna nailed it, but Cia was lagging. Cia defends she was not, but Lana says it’s alright, they’ll just keep trying. They run through it a couple more times, they do tighten it up, and all three feel really good about how that went.
The Dark Forces are watching.
They aren’t impressed by the “little dance party.” Harlequin says the Faces of Evil are way better anyway. Especially with the classics like the Thriller dance and Macarena. Zant says, “The Macarena? Pfft, and people think I’m a dork…” Harlequin says, “Don’t you dare mock the Macarena!” Harlequin changes tabs on the computer and starts playing the song! After the introduction, he lifts his right arm up flat, then his left. Then he turns the right hand up, the left hand up, puts his right hand on his left shoulder, left hand on right shoulder, then moves right hand up behind his head, and then his left.
Now his arms crisscross, right hand on left hip and left hand on right hip, to then switch so right hand on right hip and left hand on left hip. And of course, he swivels his hips in one big circle to go with “HEY~ Macarena! AIGHT!” Zant rolls his eyes while Harlequin keeps going, jumping 90 degrees to his left. Ganon walks in, Ghirahim following behind, and he tells Harlequin to “turn that crap off.” Harlequin pouts but he does as told. Ganon seethes as he takes a seat in his big arm chair. “Needless to say… Wrestling is Life didn’t go how I’d hoped. What was Kage even doing there?! Did either of you have any idea he was going to betray us?!”
Zant and Ghirahim are a bit flustered. Zant isn’t even sure Kage was part of The Dark Forces at the time Ganon took ownership. He’d kinda gone rogue at some point, didn’t he? Ghirahim agrees, it didn’t seem like he was even aligned with Cia and the others. All the more reason for Kage to keep his nose out of Ganon’s business! If Kage cared about the Dark Forces, then he would’ve helped them fight back at HyruleMania, or any time since. Kage clearly just wants the title, same as Ganon, so he’s a dead man walking. Speaking of that… Where’s Kevin? He came back in April, why isn’t he here?
Somewhere dark and spooky…
Heavy footsteps can be heard echoing as Kevin Gibdo moves down the hallway. He speaks with a low, airy voice, “Majora… Your madness… spread like wildfire… You thought by setting me ablaze… I would crumble into ash… You were wrong! Instead, I have been purified…! Purged of flaws and weaknesses… I now come forth… as gold!” There’s a light at the end of the hall, and Kevin enters a grand hall, with treasure gleaming in the light. At the center is the sarcophagus. Kevin walks up to it, opens it, and then his burnt and tattered bandages fall away before he steps inside. The sarcophagus closes, then the eyes on it begin to glow… Then the entire thing glows!
The glowing becomes a shining light, and that shining becomes so bright that nothing can be seen. It is clear things between Kevin and Majora are not over. Will the Masked Monster even stand a chance once the Gibdo of All Gibdos is restored to full strength?
Back to the Dark Forces…
Shabonne says, “I’m sure Kevin is just fine doing whatever Gibdos do on their time off.” Tali says, “What matters is what I’m about to do to that tiny little weasel with the Goddess Championship. If The Dark Forces is gonna have all the gold, then I need to squash her like a bug and take that title off of whatever’s left!” Ganon nods and says he likes the initiative. Tali will start on her own Triple Crown as the Dark Forces will make Hyrule Pro-Wrestling their kingdom! The group cheers while raising a toast! And then Harlequin gets Glutko and Lupay to join in on the Macarena, to which Ganon groans and facepalms.
And so, the ThunderStruck card is set!
The double ring, double cage will rattle with Blood & Thunder as the HPW World Trios Championships are on the line! The Gerudo Ace looks to settle a grudge with the Hero’s Shadow! And now, the Million Rupee Championship and HPW Goddess Championships will also be on the line! Will the Dark Forces absolutely dominate the Summer? Be ready to endure the heat on Friday, June 20th!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)Â
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports PodcastÂ
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!