With a new KAMELOT album, “The Awakening,” finally upon us, I was reminded of what a knack for writing exceptional ballads these guys have. I am rarely impressed with ballads/slow songs from other bands, but somehow when it comes to this symphonic power metal institution, I have to take a breather as, more often than not, I get emotionally overwhelmed. I never know if it’s the vocal delivery that gets to me or the lyrics… though I think it’s actually the combination of both that makes the songs so intense and powerful, yet incredibly delicate.
Disclaimer: this is not necessarily a ranking of songs, but rather a personal listing that will only go as far back as “The Fourth Legacy” (1999) since I am not a big fan of their earlier material (sorry!). There will be many classic tracks in this listing, but there will also be some forgotten gems.
So, without further ado, get your tissues ready, and let’s get emotional with Roy Khan and Tommy Karevik’s unparalleled emotive skills.
15. In Twilight Hours
Let’s get one thing straight – this song would only be a filler if not for the presence of Jennifer Haben (BEYOND THE BLACK). Her soulful vocals play beautifully off of Tommy Karevik’s heartfelt vocals, thus giving a more emotional edge to “In Twilight Hours.” However, it’s when the two vocalists overlap when the magic happens. Add to this cello and piano lines that add a sense of drama to the lyrics and ethereal beauty to the other instruments and you have the perfect recipe for a stirring ballad/duet.
14. Midsummer’s Eve
Fresh off the newly released “The Awakening,” this song is impressive for its folky melodies and dreamy atmosphere, much like “Vespertine (My Crimson Bride)” did back in 2018. For this one, Tina Guo and Florian Janoske contribute cello and violin parts that only enhance the fragility of the storyline. Beautifully framed by the dramatic orchestrations, Tommy’s vocals are as soft as ever, his storytelling skills transporting the listeners to a place out of time. There’s also a sense of playfulness in the lyrics that makes this ballad even more disarming.
13. Season’s End
This wasn’t an easy choice to make considering I kind of discarded proper album tracks like “Love You to Death” and “Hunter’s Season” to include this Japanese bonus track, but ultimately the chorus of this song is golden! It’s emotional, it’s real, and, like the rest of the lyrics, feels grounded in experience. Any one of us can think of at least one situation where those words ring true. Also, this is such a hidden gem and not as well-known as the aforementioned ones, so I figured it deserved a place on this list.
12. EdenEcho
Not really a ballad in the proper sense of the word, especially considering that high-octane chorus, but the lyrics and the vocal delivery do give it a ballad-y feel. I think the label “power ballad” would fit better given the chugging riffs (which is also true of cuts such as “Eventide” or “Ravenlight”). Regardless of any of this, there is a sublime beauty to this song that is only enhanced by the subtle orchestrations, choirs, and, obviously, Khan’s vocal delivery.
11. House on a Hill
While many people swoon over “The Haunting (Somewhere in Time),” I prefer this collaboration with Simone Simons (EPICA) because it is so understated and subdued. It doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is, and this is an ethereally beautiful piece of music where Simons’ magnificent vocal tone gets to truly shine and contrast with Khan’s powerful and dark timber. A match made in metal heaven that will forever be a landmark of the metal scene, regardless of what song you choose as your favorite.
10. A Sailorman’s Hymn
This cut from “The Fourth Legacy” is a beautiful love story told from the perspective of a woman awaiting the return of her lover. This simple tale is told in a simple form as the main melody comes from an acoustic guitar, with Khan’s vocals rising and falling like the tide on top of the strums. It’s a very straightforward and minimalistic song but with a great deal of emotion, vulnerability, and sensibility.
9. Falling Like the Fahrenheit
Understated orchestrations, two class-A vocalists in Tommy Karevik and Elize Ryd (AMARANTHE), and just enough punch from the guitars and drums so as to give the song some weight without overpowering anything, make “Falling Like the Fahrenheit” a highlight on their first post-Khan record, the excellent “Silverthorn” (2012). The chorus section is gorgeous and complements the subdued melody in the verses, while Elize Ryd’s line – “Do you think salvation waits for you?” – is simply haunting.
8. Anthem
A dedication to Khan’s son, this song can easily double as a bedtime lullaby. Written from the perspective of the parent, the lyrics very candidly talk about the fears and joys that come with parenthood. An interplay of strings and piano is used so as to bring all the emotions to the fore while the other orchestral instruments create a delicate backdrop for Khan’s emotive delivery, which the sparse vocal effects didn’t affect much, thankfully.
7. Temples of Gold
Every KAMELOT album contains top-tier songs and overlooking “Don’t You Cry” may be unpardonable to some. However, in between the emotional delivery, the grave bass tones, a dreamy atmosphere, and poetry-like verses, I feel like “Temples of Gold” is the most beautiful moment to be found on “Karma.” The mildly Eastern melodies provide a nice backdrop for Khan’s vocals to flourish and add more depth and texture to the lyrics.
6. Under Grey Skies
Graceful yet uplifting, with beautiful Uilleann pipes and subtle drums that allow Tommy Karevik and Charlotte Wessels’ vocals to take center stage, this song is an underrated masterpiece. The intense crescendo towards the final part is incredibly well done, enhancing the emotional lyrics. Not to dismiss Tommy so easily, but the real star is Charlotte, as her graceful delivery elevates the song to the stratosphere. No small wonder it was such a highlight of the “I Am the Empire” DVD.
5. Wander
There’s so much heartbreak and yearning in Khan’s delivery on the backdrop of soft guitars and smooth bass lines that makes “Wander” a definite highlight of “Epica.” It is even more impactful when you understand it in the context of Ariel’s story, the lyrics detailing his last encounter with his beloved Helena before setting off in search of answers to his many questions. In the anniversary special of this album, I actually argued that Khan’s vocal performance on this track, alongside “Descent of the Archangel,” should be seen as some of his very best.
4. Song for Jolee
This is the ballad that pretty much decided Tommy Karevik’s fate on the metal scene. Crushing both the lyrics and the vocal melodies for this track was the deciding factor that ultimately led him to become the new voice/frontman of the band in 2012. Following an already established formula for writing ballads, “Song for Jolee” is the perfect embodiment of a KAMELOT ballad, featuring subtle orchestrations, a heartfelt backstory, and an emotional vocal delivery.
3. On the Coldest Winter Night
Definitely one of the most touching songs in KAMELOT’s catalog, “On the Coldest Winter Night” sees Ariel reunited with his beloved Helena, and Khan’s delivery makes his yearning and longing clear, especially in the lyric “You found me here today.” The backing instrumental is kept at a minimum with acoustic guitar, sparse piano, orchestrations, and subtle percussion, so as to give center stage to the vocals. There’s always something in the way Khan sings that makes him sound heartbroken and this song really showcases it.
2. Abandoned
There is no denying the emotional core of this one, and the dramatic way Roy Khan sang it on “One Cold Winter’s Night” makes it stand out even more as one of the most intense ballads in KAMELOT’s catalog. The fact that it also represents a climactic moment in Ariel’s story gives it more depth and nuance, making the listeners really feel for him and the choices that brought him to this point. As pointed out above, Khan’s knack for sounding heartbroken is again on full display here.
1. Here’s to the Fall
This is, without a shadow of a doubt, my absolute favorite KAMELOT ballad up until this point, and one of my favorite songs in general. It was a delight to hear it live during their 2018 Shadow Tour stop in Bucharest, Romania, and Tommy Karevik delivered it to near perfection. When performing this song live, he’s displaying so much emotion and so much control at the same time, it’s incredible. This live from their “I Am the Empire” DVD is enough to give everyone with a heart shivers and goosebumps.
Written by Andrea Crow
