KAMELOT Memento Mori Composer Reaction The Decomposer Lounge

[@peterworth9403]

If you want to hear some of the best vocal ability ever, check out "Elizabeth I, II, and III" from them. The live dvd performance is utterly amazing. Roy Khan is a beast incarnate. Perfection. The trilogy is about Elizabeth Bathory, and is just amazing vocally and musically.

[@dodgrblu]

The live performance is amazing, especially for Roy, but the album version really captures the feeling of the song better. And what bothers me about the live version is the lack of 2nd guitar in part 3 and Thomas even gets a bit lazy and doesn't play the riff properly :/ of all songs, being one of my favourites ever

[@peterworth9403]

@@dodgrblu I'll give you that.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Yes, this is necessary!

[@juantimer]

Great choice to check out the composition!

[@kristopherbarnes4797]

Definitely one of the best live performances I've ever seen, absolutely incredible.

[@petersilver4281]

Kamelot are highly underrated.

[@zeratul78]

I rate "The Black Halo" as one of the best power metal albums ever

[@DoomForHire]

This is The Album for me. Start to finish it’s just all perfect.

[@dodgrblu]

Perfect album. This song took some time for me to fully absorb, but it grew from a great song to a timeless masterpiece that I have immense appreciation for now every time I hear it.

[@FASynergy]

Agreed. I love whenever I get the chance to play both albums back to back. The Black Halo is just on another level though.

[@yippeethreeeight]

Yeah. Though it would be tough for me to choose between this and Karma as the best Kamelot album. Both are fantastic with no fillers.

[@BrettCahill]

Roy Khan of this era was something else. This is gonna be good!

[@FASynergy]

His more recent stuff with Conception has been pretty decent as well Great artist

[@dodgrblu]

I'm obviously still here haha Thank you Geebz! That was great. Nice how you picked up on the subtle synth part immediately. This song continues to blow me away. On first listen back in the day I thought it was really good especially in the album context, but as the weeks and years went by it just kept growing to be one of the best songs ever imo, and your notes on the dynamics and arrangement of the composition are testament to that. You've actually done Kamelot before with Liar Liar, but with a different (current) vocalist Tommy Karevik, and also unfortunately the radio edit which chops out 1min of the song. This song is with Roy Khan who is actually Norwegian, and while the (founder and main songwriter)guitarist and bassist are American, the rest of the current members and long time producer for them are European. This album is part 2 of a concept based on the classic literature of Faust(where basically a man searches for meaning in life and sells his soul to the devil, represented by Shagrath of Dimmu Borgir there with the harsh vocals), and this is the ending of that. The lyrics are very powerful and the singer and guests are really able to bring out the weight of it all quite brilliantly and keep it feeling very personal. The singer really is something special, the way he is so expressive really delivering everything with such emotional content utilizing his great vocal skills and voice so well. And the way they sometimes modify the vocals in production adds even more to it, which happens more here because of the concept. Kamelot with Roy Khan is special, I hope you can do more. Maybe do Center of the Universe going back to the beginning of the concept with the first song of the previous album Epica(from which the band Epica derive their name)...or for a deeper cut that is more atmospheric on their breakthrough album, do Lunar Sanctum. Thanks again!

[@KeyOfGeebz]

Man, sorry it took so long - THANK YOU for the suggestion :)

[@dodgrblu]

@@KeyOfGeebz it's understandable with your endlessly growing list, but you got to it eventually!

[@mooncritter721]

This band is so far beyond the norm that I can`t get enough. The talent and writing is stunning!

[@Qyngali]

As a Norwegian I have to correct you lol, the singer here is Roy Khan, and he's Norwegian. :)

[@tomseaver1496]

Yes, the day has finally come! Love me some classic Kamelot, Roy Khan has one of the best voices in metal and really sells the performance live. This album is a sequel to the previous album “Epica” and together form a retelling of the Faustian legend. Very cool stuff with tons of great riffage and beautiful singing. They also released a live concert DVD when Roy was still in the band called “One cold winter’s night” and i would recommend checking it out if you want more Kamelot in your life. For more symphonic metal you should check out Rhapsody (later known as Rhapsody of Fire). I am sure they’ve been recommended before, but I think you’ll really dig it! And I’m still here mang 🤙🤙🤙

[@skeletankmcgraw7343]

Also, the album "Epica" is where the symphonic metal band of the same name got the idea for their name from.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Just about every song from One Cold Winter's Night is better than the studio version, one of the best concerts ever recorded.

[@UndergroundTico]

This should've transitioned into Serenade. A reaction to the whole Epica and Black Halo would be way too much but it's such an experience. Finally Kamelot! So glad for this reaction!

[@33gles]

This. Listening to them in order is something entirely different.

[@SouthHill_]

Many agree that Roy Khan is one of the best voices in metal. Hope to see more, his era of Kamelot will always be special.

[@sisterhoney61]

Thank you so much for Kamelot, one of my favorite bands. This is their previous singer, Roy Khan, who is Norwegian. He's now back with Conception, the band he was with before he joined Kamelot. Khan has an amazing voice.

[@FASynergy]

Yess i remember recommending this song! Awesome!

[@Atraeos]

I'm a simple man. I saw Kamelot, I clicked immediately. The Black Halo is something else. 🤘

[@TheErazar]

Oh, that's a dream come true! Kamelot with Roy Khan was special. The new Conception songs are also great!

[@TheErazar]

Damn, you are doing Epica as well? Great news! :)

[@DeathStarLuke]

I consider this the best power metal album ever written. It is flawless, from start to finish. Perfection.

[@guitarWoob]

Love this record. My dad used to play kamelot in the car all the time when I was young - will always feel nostalgic for their sound

[@calanor4130]

There are actually some connections between Kamelot and European symphonic metal. The band Epica named themselves after the Kamelot album with the same name and Epica's singer Simone Simons is married to Kamelot's keyboardist, Oliver Palotai. Also, Kamelot's been touring with Nightwish and Kamelot's (then) guest singers Alissa White-Gluz and Elize Ryd saved the day when they stepped in as vocalists during Nightwish's "Denver Debacle". I have to say that the bridge in "Memento Mori" is one of my favourites, regardless of band and genre. It's one of those bits where I can't help but play the air drums ☺ Perhaps it's common knowledge, but I'll mention it anyway: the title is in latin, meaning "remember that you will die". It's also an artistic style/movement trying to remind the viewer of their mortality.

[@dodgrblu]

Also should mention Epica's singer Simone did guest vocals on this very album and had a full duet in The Haunting.

[@Qyngali]

Well, there's another pretty obvious Europe connection... Roy Khan lol.

[@andraskovacs8959]

@@Qyngali Roy also counts for Asian connection...with his father being Thai and all... I don't know how Thai he is culturally, though, all that I saw from him is basically European, except maybe some of his singing technique with the strange robotic overtones/undertones might have to do with that... he really can put weird "effects" in his voice sometimes and I doubt any of that is coming from electronic contraptions.

[@Qyngali]

@@andraskovacs8959 Yes of course, I didn't mean to say his Thai side is less important. :)

[@dodgrblu]

Shagrath's demonic vocals give me goosebumps, so perfect and perfectly juxtaposed with the beautiful female vocals.

[@emilythomas9786]

Moonlight was the first song I heard by Kamelot and was also my introduction to symphonic metal as a genre - which I didn’t even know was a thing until then. I’d also recommend The Human Stain and March of Mephisto.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

An absolute masterpiece of music!

[@BearInThaWoods]

I highly suggest Soul Society and The Black Halo off of this album. The entire album is incredible.

[@inaneglory7431]

More Kamelot please!

[@RobertMuldooJP]

w00t! Glad you provided an analysis for that song, it's one of my favorite of theirs.

[@jorgengabrielsson6660]

The year’s with Roy in Kamelot was totaly epic…

[@OthonasDrums]

So glad you liked it my favorite Kamelot song ! just did a drum cover of it too cheers

[@sirlaughalotlewis]

Man I love this song so much. Everything about it is pretty much perfect. Great seeing people enjoying it for the first time.

[@mooncritter721]

This band is from Florida! America still kicks ass!

[@JaySay]

Oooooooo, this is _very_ Dream Theatery, awesome stuff! Love the full composition, and the wall of sound is super powerful. Thanks for the vid, Geebz, keep on rockin'!

[@procryptican]

If this was your first time hearing Kamelot, you should definitely check out their albums Karma, Epica, and The Black Halo. Very strong contender for best three album run of all time in power metal.

[@ScavengerRedline]

I never get tired of watching people appreciate Kamelot. Thank you for this.

[@a.m.7438]

I really like Moonlight on this album. It's such a bluesy kind of jam. This Pain, just before it, has quite a guitar rhythm. Black Halo was the album that changed my whole music taste back when I was 15. I could ramble about them for an unhealthy length of time. Memento Mori is the climax track to this concept album which tells a story of a character in search of truth and processing grief and wrestling with faith.

[@INFECTION112]

God I love this band, thank you so much for listening.

[@Robfnord]

That is an awesome album

[@PazuChill]

I love this song so much. Your insight was great as well.

[@dodgrblu]

One more thing I love is how the guitar is left to ring out after "as a drizzle after noon clears the air", reflecting that musically

[@theMemphisSnuggler]

This channel rocks, thanks!

[@robynturnham2706]

Most of the band is now European, Roy was Norweigen, new singer Tommy is Swedish (lives in Canada) 2 are still American though

[@derricktipps9867]

Kamelot... makes EPIC music. Best adjective i can give it. So polished.

[@juantimer]

Oh this one good one. Roy Khan is so good. This album is pristine. And as good as Roy is, Kamelot's musicality as led by Thomas Youngblood is really key to their formula. IMO it's why I enjoy Kamelot more than Conception.

[@juantimer]

Not enough reactors have done Roy Khan era Kamelot. Awesome that you did it, geebz, and I hope you get to do more. It is really great stuff.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

I think the Youngblood/Khan combo was the ultimate, both current Kamelot and Conception fall short to that era of perfection.

[@robertnelson2345]

If you get a chance check out soilwork. They have a large discography and have changed so much from album to album and are very underrated and not mentioned enough.

[@dodgrblu]

Oh hell yes, I will join you on that for sure. I have requested them before myself. And Bjorn's evolution as a vocalist has been phenomenal. I think Death Diviner would be a good first one. But it's so hard to choose a recommendation from them because they have so many great songs and have so much variety and evolved so much

[@TheFinePlayer]

I'm still here man. So glad you covered Kamelot. Remember if you're feeling like it, there's always something new to discover from this band. They have SO MUCH good stuff to explore, it's insane. So more reactions from this group is always welcome, at least for me ;)

[@yinxed]

More reactors should get on them albums

[@squorntheoriginal]

I'm still here Geebz. Really interesting and rewarding to see your take on Kamelot, one of my favorite bands, and this was the first album of theirs that I heard. It's amazing how you can still point out things I might not have picked up on even after hundreds of listens. I'd love to see you take on another of my favorite bands which I think doesn't get enough attention: Angra. My song recommendations would include The Shadow Hunter, Unholy Wars, Winds of Destination, and Rebirth

[@akispetrov]

We need to convince him to do something off of Conception!!! something from Flow maybe!

[@daevyl]

I've only just come across your channel (courtesy of KZbin algorithm) and, man, you are GREAT in speaking about music. And seeing that you reviewed a few songs by some of my most beloved bands (Neurosis, Meshuggah, Gojira, Tool), I binge-watched it yesterday and it was a fantastic experience. Hopefully you won't stop for a long time. Also, I'd like to provide a request of my own, although I know you can only choose the ones which gather much support. Please, make a reaction video to Rivers of Nihil "Where owls know my name" or Atvm "Picture of Decay". Greetings from Poland.

[@FASynergy]

You mentioned discography. This album is the 2nd of 2 parts (the first being Epica) that retell the story of Faust's (name changed to Ariel for the album) deal with Lucifer (Mephisto,) in which he promises his soul to the Devil in exchange for the Devil to allow Ariel to understand the purpose of life. Ariel agrees on the terms that his soul is only forfeit if he feels that his questions have been laid to rest, and he feels at peace. Memento Mori is spiritually the final song of this 2-part saga, only followed by a tributary song that reveals that the entire 2 album experience is actually the audio of a New Year's play. Memento Mori details the final act of the story. Ariel, crushed and depressed by his love and yearning for his departed Helena (who commits suicide at the end of the first album after he leaves her in his quest for knowledge,) goes to Mephisto to confront him for lying. Ariel comes upon the realization that his love for Helena was the entire point of life, and this leads Mephisto to claim Ariel's soul. In Memento Mori, we see the soul of Helena come back to challenge Mephisto for Ariel's soul (the demonic voice and the angelic voice around the midpoint of the song,) and she does end up succeeding. These albums are absolutely worth checking out in their entirety if you're a fan of lyric-driven metal, as they do literally tell a story. Also, the first album was the namesake for the band Epica, the lead singer of which features (a few times?) on The Black Halo.

[@benjaminflasher]

I'd love to see your take on "Cradle of Filth (ft. Liv Kristine) - Nymphetamine".

[@NotRKelly.]

Thank you Geebz

[@varanidguy]

Ghost Opera is a great song of theirs as well. Also, the song Rose for Epona by Eluveitie is really good (as well as their entire catalog).

[@Eric998765]

This album is one of my favorite symphonic metal albums ever. Can't say I'm too much of a fan of the rest of their catalogue though.

[@Synion]

If you want something special to react to, I recommend Haggard - Per Aspera Ad Astra, it's basically death metal mixed with classical music. They even have a soprano and a tenor as real opera voices. Love your channel, man. Cheers!

[@Guitar.Gemini]

I used to listen to this album and their Epica album in high school a lot. I had a history class where we would just watch videos, so I just listened to Kamelot instead.

[@adamhenton6221]

Late to the game, but I'm here. New band. Let's GO

[@jorgengabrielsson6660]

ROY KHAN🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@sakeratoys9555]

I love the live show of this song. I wonder how the live show is better than studio 🤔

[@goku7090]

I think the greatest song ever written, but of course it's all subjective.

[@DeagleLas]

I'm still here! Awwright!

[@Engenification]

Love Roy and that era. But Tommy that does the vocals now days aint to bad, i really enjoy Tommys other band Seventh Wonder👍🏻

[@FASynergy]

Kamelot's most recent live album really shows Tommy's ability. He absolutely does Roy's songs justice, while adding his own flair.

[@jorgengabrielsson6660]

I’m on your side Andreas… Kamelot without Roy and Casey= the magic is gone

[@phreeck988]

Kamelot has so many good songs. I haven't heard a lot of the newer stuff with Tommy but I don't really think you can go wrong with the songs with Roy Khan. Such a powerful voice. Love You To Death is absolutely heart wrenching kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2qlqIR9jql_jsk March Of Mephisto is one of their heavier songs with a familiar face/voice that's used so well kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoCknX6Ja9h2h9E

[@Bluesbabesrv]

When the vocals started I thought, Bowie? Sounds like it would be a great song for a rock opera on Broadway, imho.

[@thebearujb]

Cool, you might wanna check out Pain of salvation - Used and inside are two great songs! Also progressive type metal kind of like this.

[@ThorsHammer88]

Amazing band, I miss Roy Khan.

[@theMemphisSnuggler]

Oh, I'm still here..

[@wolframreactor74]

YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!

[@mateuszmayor10]

It would be really something special if you would do Dream Theater reaction. But not just any song. No. Whole album - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory. That is something I would watch in one sitting.

[@dodgrblu]

Haha good luck. I personally want him to do Space Dye Vest. I want him to not do the long super prog stuff atm that everyone expects, I hope he sees a different side of DT and I think Space Dye Vest is a very unique and special song.

[@mattwilson317]

You need to review the band called The Shaggs 🤣🤣🤣

[@marcmarti5273]

RINGS OF SATURN - GALACTIC CLEANSING and then you tell us... kindly please :)

[@Flazius]

We gotta get you into some folky-metal my man Geebz! Check out MANEGARM - Stridsgalten!

[@Baum-oe7iw]

pls react to Electric Callboy. It is very cool and it is lot of fun.

[@dodgrblu]

He did Hypa Hypa. Should do the other big ones in chronological order, with music videos. We Got the Moves Pump It Spaceman

[@andykereztury1450]

Typical Neo-classical metal would be something like Yngwie Malmsteen.

[@Arccos77]

Hi, please decompose Opeth - Hessian Peel

[@moisespena7912]

Primus? Frizzle fry? Maybe? Just a little? Please?

[@FrogJuiceJustice]

Who is shagarath

[@dodgrblu]

Vocalist of Dimmu Borgir

[@Ober1kenobi]

Guys could we get a thumbs up for It Dies Today - Sixth of June

[@88Schism88]

Hurt - wars

[@lorinkundert]

Live one is worlds better

[@ingopinkowski1091]

You never hear this on the radio, you have to look for it. All the commercial music turns into crap, what it is, after this.

[@ingopinkowski1091]

You can flush the hit parades the first fifty literally through the toilet. And that for the last 50years

[@zannebrazeau]

l love roy khan's voice he be operatically trained their currant singer tommy karevik does be a wicked good singer but l prefer roy khan

[@OnlymybestLyrics]

this is the only song i don't like in this album :D others was perfect

[@TheStonedSpidR]

i hate the male singers voice it irritates me