Kamelot / Xandria
7 November 2012
The Forum, London
First, thanks to Napalm Records for getting us into this show in time to see Xandria. Unfortunately by then we had already missed both Blackguard & Triosphere.
The first thing that hit me when I entered the Forum was where was everyone? I had thought it was a rather hopeful move to stage this show here at a 2,450 capacity when last time Kamelot played the 800 capacity Islington Academy. I have often been here when the balcony has been closed but this was the first time I have seen an additional measure of a curtain behind the sound desk to force everyone forward. Even then it was hardly packed in front of the stage.
However, you can only work with what is in front of you and Xandria didn’t seemed fazed. For those unfamiliar a simple but accurate comparison of the current Xandria would be Tarja era Nightwish. Actually, the Germans have taken the opposite approach to Nightwish in that when Xandria’s long standing singer Lisa Schaphaus-Middelhauve left they went from a conventional singer to an operatic singer. Manuela Kraller, who had previously been a live singer for Haggard, is now not only central to Xandria’s sound but formed the obvious focal point with a lively presence.
Unsurprisingly given the shift in their style, the whole set is culled from the band’s latest album Neverworld’s End. As second song Blood On My Hands drew to a close a salute of devil horns from the select, but enthusiastic crowd, indicated the Germans were welcomed. Indeed, Kraller seemed genuine when following Euphoria she looked out on the sparse crowd and said, “It’s wonderful to be here tonight”.
Kraller led the crowd in a “Wooohhaa” sing along as the Celtic vibe of Cursed followed. Guitarist Phil Restemeier nodded along as stand in bassist Lance Christensen stomped around the stage. The highpoint came with the energetic Soulcrusher with those at the front pumping their fists along.
Wrapping things up with The Lost Elysion, Xandria delivered their set in a manner as if the venue was full and no doubt have made some new friends in London.
  
Xandria setlist:
Valentine / Blood On My Hands / Euphoria / Forevermore / Cursed / The Dream Is Still Alive / Soulcrusher / The Lost Elysion
When Kamelot last played in London in April 2011, singer Roy Khan had just departed and Rhapsody Of Fire’s Fabio Lione had stepped in to temporarily front the band. The band were augmented by two backing singers, being Tommy Karevik of Seventh Wonder and Elize Ryd of Amaranthe. Karevik actually took lead vocals for Center of the Universe and after seeing that performance it was no surprise when eventually Karevik was named as the new Kamelot frontman.
Obviously Karevik was going to be under scrutiny on this tour and on this performance it would seem Kamelot picked the right man. His voice held up well through the set, with an ability to head to higher notes than his predecessor. Where he currently doesn’t match Khan would be in terms of stage presence. It’s still early days and Karevik will no doubt grow into the role.
Keen to give him support, Thomas Youngblood strolled centre stage without his guitar after Ghost Opera to ask for a scream for Kamelot’s newest member. Actually up until this point Karevik and Youngblood were the two members who were most difficult to hear with the often less than perfect Forum sound on poor form, not helped by the sound echoing round the sparsely attended venue.
With no doubt larger attendances in Europe, the stage presentation was designed for a stage of this size, with smoke pots, atmospheric lights and backdrops. Kamelot increasingly come over quite theatrical in their presentation and new songs Song For Jolee and Sacrimony give Karevik and Elize Ryd, who’s touring with the band again, chance to try out some of their acting skills. Whilst this works quite well for the songs, there is a danger of disconnecting with the audience and at times tonight it felt like Kamelot were on autopilot. A rather dull drum solo from Casey Grillo didn’t help the pacing either.
Overall this was a strange one. I did enjoy Kamelot but was neither blown away or felt it matched up to previous encounters. Certainly the attendance diminished the atmosphere and given this is Karevik’s first tour as frontman I feel it would have worked better if the band had been booked for a similar size venue as last time, since it’s always difficult to downscale in the future.
  
Kamelot setlist:
Rule the World / Ghost Opera / The Great Pandemonium / Veritas / Center of the Universe / The Human Stain / Song for Jolee / Drum Solo / When the Lights are Down / Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife) / Season's End / Forever / Karma / Torn / March of Mephisto
LINKS:
http://www.kamelot.com
http://www.xandria.de
|
