• Tue. Dec 3rd, 2024

Kamelot – When I Reign Looks Back at the Band’s First Decade!

Hailing from Florida, Kamelot has long been one of heavy metal’s most talented bands, not to mention one of the most underrated. Fusing power metal and symphonic sounds brilliantly, this is a band that has long impressed since their genesis in the early 1990s.

When I Reign – The Very Best of the Noise Years 1995-2003 is a best of compilation released in 2016, covering roughly the band’s first decade of recorded material. The American release of this compilation is comprised of a single CD, whereas an import version featuring two CDs of material is also available.

I will be honest; despite being a die-hard heavy metal fan, there are bands that have eluded me over the years, and Kamelot is one of them. Why that is I have no idea; after giving this compilation a listen, it is very clear that this is a band I have been foolish to overlook! Brilliantly combining power metal and symphonic musical elements, these guys are underrated as hell for no good reason. The vocals, guitars, and everything else come together fantastically. For years this is a group I have overlooked; no one who is a heavy metal fan should make that same mistake.

 

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Obviously, as a compilation that only features 12 tracks and an hour’s worth of material, this is but a small sample of the band’s output during their first decade, yet for new fans seeking an introduction to the group, it could be ideal. This set of tracks has definitely sparked my curiosity, and it is very likely more albums from the band’s discography will soon end up in my collection.

Overall, When I Reign makes for a fitting introduction to an underrated symphonic power metal band that has been doing their thing for a quarter century now, with no signs of letting up. Kamelot deserves to be discovered or rediscovered, making this compilation easy to recommend if you do not already own the individual releases.

 

 

By Taylor T Carlson

Taylor T Carlson Assistant Editor/Senior Staff Writer Taylor T. Carlson was born August 17, 1984, and has called the Vegas Valley home his entire life. A die-hard fan of classic rock and metal music, Taylor has been writing album and concert reviews since he was 16 years old, and continues to do so, having done well over 1,000 reviews. He is also a fan of video gaming and cinema, and has reviewed a number of games and films as well, old and new alike. His thorough and honest (some would say brutally honest) reviewing style has won him the respect of hundreds of music fans and musicians alike, both local and abroad, and the ire of just as many others. Despite being one of the youngest attendees at classic hard rock/metal shows around Vegas, he is also one of the most knowledgeable, having gained the unofficial nickname of “The Eddie Trunk of Las Vegas.” In addition to reviews, Taylor has written and self-published three books on classic hard rock bands, and is a regular participant in rock and roll trivia contests. Taylor also holds a masters degree in special education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), and has appeared on the hit History Channel television series Pawn Stars. His dream is to be able to one day make a living from writing music books and reviews.

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