Kamelot

A shape-shifting and musically adept American, German, and Swedish hard rock unit that skillfully blends elements of classical, gothic/doom metal, progressive rock, and symphonic metal, Kamelot came to be in 1992 in Tampa, Florida. Founded by multi-instrumentalist Thomas Youngblood, the band has endured numerous lineup changes throughout its existence, with Youngblood serving as the sole consistent member (Norwegian vocalist Roy Sætre Khantatat, better known as Roy Khan, had the second longest tenure, serving as frontman and co-writer from 1997 to 2011). Kamelot issued their debut album, Eternity, via Noise Records in 1995, and stayed with the label through their next five offerings, Dominion (1997), Siége Perilous (1998), The Fourth Legacy (1999), Karma (2001), and Epica (2003), before inking a deal with the Sony-distributed German independent SPV/Steamhammer for their seventh long-player, The Black Halo. Released in 2007, Ghost Opera found its way into the Billboard Top 200 via the Top Heatseekers chart, while 2010's Poetry for the Poisoned, 2012's ambitious Silverthorn, 2015's Haven, and 2018's epic The Shadow Theory helped to firmly establish the band as one of contemporary power metal's most enduring acts. ~ James Christopher Monger