What a Voice!! Kamelot - Memento Mori Reaction

[@johnhitchens5632]

2001-2010 is my sweet spot for Kamelot. A good start is their DVD "One Cold Winter's Night"

[@PazuChill]

How dare you not include The Fourth Legacy! :O

[@MrThat0neperson]

@@PazuChill came here to say this.

[@BlackMetalWar]

Absolute blasphemy, bruh.

[@allenzillmer1917]

Agreed. Tommy is good but Roy is great

[@toxendon]

The singer (Roy Khan) was trained in opera singing, I actually met him at a school I went to, super cool guy. He quit the band for personal reasons and is now in a pretty cool previous band of his, Conception

[@T1hitsTheHighestNote]

This album is a masterpiece!

[@jeffkemper7920]

Yes! Starting off with Epica and then moving into The Black Halo. This is my favorite album, EVER. It doesn't get any better than this.

[@orphydianmusic9529]

The best album art ever. Probably best Kamelot album as well.

[@toxendon]

Karma, Epica and The Black Halo. The Holy Trinity of orchestral metal imo

[@goku7090]

Insane. This to me is the best song I've ever heard... and it's your first foray. Gobsmacked.

[@nancybayhurst1393]

The Black Halo is a concept album based on Goethe's Faust. To get the full effect listen to the whole album. It is amazing. My personal favorite song from this album is Abandoned. The singer, Roy Khan is no longer with them, sadly.

[@bigg2988]

Well I was gonna say it later, so why not say it now?? It is actually a concept album based on the 2nd part of "Faust" (the hero's wanderings, disillusionment with life, and embrace of death if through it he were reunited with his beloved... but how to lose that black halo dragging him down?..). Meanwhile the preceding album "Epica" is based on the happenings in the 1st part of "Faust": the insatiable quest for knowledge, the deal with the devil and all that brought about... [Btw, the band EPICA took inspiration for their name from this album, with KAMELOT's permission.] The two pieces together arguably make the crowning glory of KAMELOT. You would do well to listen to both one after another sometime; rarely would such a suggestion make more sense. Moreover, NO this is not the best song by the band, although it is up there... you could try "The Center of the Universe" or the "Elizabeth" trilogy as further stepping stones. Or "The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)" where EPICA pays a visit... :) The old / current band of the vocalist Roy Khan - CONCEPTION - is also worthy of attention if you are keen to hear more Roy over the years.

[@RizkMartan]

But he sings in Conception now atleast =)

[@larslindegren5632]

Memento mori means remember death! It is loosely based on Goethes theaterplay Faust that is about a man making a deal with the devil! Songs dont get much better than this!!! Btw Ariel is a spirit in the play, an airspirit whatever that is!!!

[@jonaszjanecki3433]

One thing you must to know if you're into The Black Halo album. This one and "Epica" are conceptual albums telling hole story! They're based on Faustus by J. W. Goethe. Memento Mori is kind of crescendo, final moment of hole story. Story of man who has made deal with Mephistopheles, who loved someone, who lost someone and who want to come back to grace. It's just amazing. If it comes to me Epica and The Black Halo are the best of Kamelot's albums. You should listen them both :D

[@PazuChill]

I'm super glad you enjoyed the song and the lyrics as well. Roy is a great singer, but he also wrote most of the lyrics for Kamelot while he was with them. He wrote some incredible stuff.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Great reaction and review, this is an absolute musical masterpiece.

[@0Kasada]

The albums Epica and The Black Halo (this being one of the last couple songs in the latter) make a story, and Ariel is the name of the main character of that story - the one that the singer, Roy Khan, is singing from the point of view of for the vast majority of the songs.

[@groovygrover190]

Album of the Decade for a reason

[@Kelly.sapphire]

Roy has a wonderful voice and a new band called Conception. The new singer Tommy is amazing as well, and has a prog band Seventh Wonder. Both old and new Kamelot are worth listening to.

[@Lazarus3737]

Correction: 'Old band' Conception (He was with them before Kamelot so check their other stuff too lol, it ain't bad).

[@larslindegren5632]

The problem for me was that Kahn was a God and after him there is no more.....even if Karevik is Swedish, just like me! Corona 4ever!!!

[@jacobfischer8385]

​@@larslindegren5632 Yea Tommy is great but there is something about the Kahn era that is just peak, hair raising, lighting in the bottle music.

[@paulhelberg5269]

This piece reminds me of a bit from the Epic of Gilgamesh when the "Alewife" Siduri (actually a goddess) tries to dissuade him from seeking immortality. She is wise and tells him it would be better to enjoy the pleasures of life and savor the simple joys of living for the brief time you are here. Don't seek out immortality, it's not as great as you might imagine. I forgot to say thanks Tommy for the reaction as always.

[@eiriknordahl5112]

Roy! My favourite fellow Norwegian vocalist ! Also a great guy! You should really check out Kamelot - Elizabeth 1,2 & 3 Live performance :-)

[@andreapadilla6962]

First things first: ¡Thank you!! Its nice see a reation to Kamelot. Second things second: Sorry, this two are my abosulte favorite albums so... this may get very, VERY intense. Third things third: It's hard to pick a "best song" for Kamelot. Personally I prefer "Soul Society" but it is more a matter of personal taste than anything. These two are definitely two of they best albums (if not the best albums) so ... Let's just say there really isn't a "bad song" to start on Kamelot ... except maybe for they very first album, but it's only because many are repelled by the characteristic high pitches of Power metal... And fourth things fourth:¡Bullseye! "Very Theatrical" This album, and it's precuel (Epica) are an metal-operistic adaptation of Goethe's "Faust" (Basically, a romantic reinterpretation of the Biblical myth of Job. A man "loved" by God, who is having some problems of faith by thinking about what is the true sense of life and , thanks to a divine wager, is tempted by the devil to try to divert him from the path, although it wasn't that he needed much help for it, and ends up selling his soul to the devil). In this case Ariel is the "protagonist" (who supplies Fausto, although there are still a bunch of similarities between Heinrich Faust and him). In a literary and perhaps also probable version of why the name change is that it was taken from the sylph Ariel from Shakespeare's "The Tempest". She is an extremely mischievous, fickle and curious spirit, and from the nineteenth century onwards from an essay by Enrique Rodó, she began to be considered as "the muse of tireless curiosity" that more or less sums up the character of Ariel in this "play/album"and incidentally gives an additional reason for its mention at the end of this rationalization of what is death when you hear the song out of any context. As for what's about the song.... You were technically correct. Although details were missing because of context... Emmmm ¿Spoiler Alert? This is technically a play, after all. At this point of the plot its nearly the end: Ariel discovers that with his free will he is actually the true master of his own destiny and right or wrong, it is for him to decide. Being satisfied with the answer that "there is no control and that is the only absolute truth", he accepts death with open arms, not caring that his soul now belongs to Mephisto, who is preparing to collect the bet. But Helena (his lost love, from the first part/álbum) intervenes before God (the part of the soprano and the grutales in Latin) and therefore, Ariel is admitted to heaven and Mephisto loses .... God is more tricky than the devil if you think about it. Ok, then, this is all about. Really, if you can, listen the two albums, you won't repent. It really it's a play.

[@Oleksa-Derevianchenko]

Great song, nice reaction. Kamelot forever P.S. yes, Kamelot's style is really somewhat theatrical. I love their fusion of power, emotionality and striving for more (as a worldview, like in a character of Faust as it is known in literature)

[@leidygonzpsic]

The live version of this song is amazing

[@MisterJ56]

2nd reaction: HIGHLY SUGGESTED IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN PROG-MUSIC and IN A TOP VARIETY OF MANY MUSICAL INTRUMENTS/SINGERS: The Source is the 9th studio album from Ayreon, a progressive metal/rock opera project by Dutch musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen, released on April 28, 2017. ‘The Day That The World Breaks Down’ is a song that features all 11 (well known) main guest singers (incl. Floor Jansen) and is taken from that album. Arjen himself is telling (in subtitles) who the singers are and which instrument are used and by what standards. Btw. The clip is 13 min. Long and I think you won’t regret it !! Official (Arjen’s) clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXfYfn6ap9-Dp7c

[@a.m.7438]

Watch Memento Mori Live in Belgrade and you'll lose your shit. I don't like the change in guitar compared to this studio version but overall absolutely phenomenal.

[@jamestaylor8986]

Your reaction videos are a joy to watch! The substance you add makes it truly worthwhile.

[@WariWahab]

Love this song! Nice first choice.

[@Caio_Sono]

Try Brazilian Band Angra, with their song "The Shadow Hunter" my personal favourite

[@juliakr4576]

Sailorman's Hymn, Lunar Sanctum, Elizabeth, Soul Society, Abandoned, Epilogue, House on a Hill

[@marielaoquendorodriguez670]

React to The Haunting live feat Simone Simons from Epica 🖤

[@marielaoquendorodriguez670]

Jacques Malan that’s song it’s too over reacted already, I like it but the appeal has come off for me...

[@T1hitsTheHighestNote]

The music video is very cool as well.

[@southhill6667]

This is the finale song of a two album epic based on Goethe's Faust, basically god and the devil makes a bet that if the devil can lure god's favourite man away from righteous pursuit he'll be able to walk free from hell, it follows the protagonist Ariel as he pursues the truth; the meaning of life sorta stuff. There are numerous songs of Kamelot's that I would recommend, but the most common one to recommend might be Elizabeth part I, II, & III. Three songs telling a short story. My personal favourites are Forever, and Center of the Universe, the latter being the intro song to the two album epic. :P

[@larslindegren5632]

Just googled memento mori and it means remember death in latin but it is also the name of something that reminds you of death, like the "to be or not to be" skull in shakespears Hamlet! Remember also the rest of this album, it is sooooo good!

[@TheLjokjell]

I love their song Abandoned

[@CrazyTasteyPi]

Hey, if you liked that one from Kamelot, you might enjoy their new guy too. To hear Tommy singing instead of Roy, I'd recommend looking at the songs Citizen Zero, Liar Liar (which also has some clean vocals from Alissa White), Amnesiac, My Therapy, Mindfall Remedy, or My Confession. Also, if you want more of Roy. Highly suggest The Zodiac, Ghost Opera, Soul Society, March of Mephisto, Forever, When the Lights are Down, and The Human Stain.

[@allanyorkshire]

If you enjoyed this, I urge you to watch this (kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKmYl2OKZd2Ug6s) One Cold Winter's Night CD, well worth the time!

[@MisterJ56]

I saw them twice in the Netherlands. It was a sad thing to hear Roy Kahn left the band, because in my mind he was the greatest leadsinger of Kamelot. As Mariela in the reactions said "The Haunting" (live) with Simone Simons from the Dutch band Epica as a guest singer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKSwiauuebJ5j7s

[@palantir135]

The singer, Tommy Karevik, also sings in Ayreon

[@MrThat0neperson]

This isn't Tommy though, this is Roy. Roy however did collaborate with Avantasia on their song Twisted Mind.

[@RizkMartan]

Anthem tops this

[@RafaeruTheKing]

My top 5 for Kamelot, that i highly recommend is Nights of Arabia Descent of an Archangel Edge of Paradise Don't You Cry Center of The Universe

[@Oleksa-Derevianchenko]

It's hard to define just five, but my first ones to recommend would be: Center of the Universe Elizabeth I, II, III (live) Karma Sailorman's Hymn You to Death

[@MrThat0neperson]

You want to hear this man's range, check out the Elizabeth suite from their album "Karma"

[@Oleksa-Derevianchenko]

The live version of this song made me totally fall in love with the band

[@jeffwolinski2659]

As with so many other songs the live version from One Cold Winter's Night blows the studio version away, Roy was much more intense live.

[@matttyree1002]

Yaay! I love this song. The live version is great too! Check out EdenEcho, black halo, edge of paradise, a feast for the vain

[@rareacts9868]

Try their song "Abandoned"

[@sydlawson3181]

Would you react to Eartha Kitts I Want to Be Evil? Just to get a little more jazz up

[@ThomasJ_Music]

Syd Lawson I absolutely would! Thank you!

[@derikthehobbit395]

It's a great song but I would have picked March of Mephisto for a first Introduction.

[@hasseo1]

I love March of Mephisto, but I don't think it sets a good expectation for what you get when listening to Roy-era Kamelot because it's wildly different from most of their offerings what with bringing in Shaggrath and all that business.

[@maritapia7558]

Roy Khan❤

[@joaogabrielsalerno3027]

There’s a live version of this song way better than this one you reacted