Pop Break Live: Kamelot with Sonara Arctica and Battle Beast at The Fillmore Silver Springs
Words & Photos by David Weaver
On September 10, Kamelot rocked the halls and shook the walls of Fillmore Silver Spring, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, as part of their The Shadow Theory tour.
Released in early 2018, The Shadow Theory is a beautifully complex album that, while it holds the musical hallmarks of driving power guitars and haunting symphonic pieces that Kamelot fans love, it tells the story of a dystopian future, and also alludes to our own modern world, in which we are so dependent on technology that we lose sight of reality, such as in the song “Amnesiac”
“No beautifying filters
I’m craving that honest pain
These perfect lines
Are always out of place
Only you and I were born to break the chain”
Additional themes within The Shadow Theory include, but are not limited to, being pressured into social conformity and blind acceptance, such as in the song “Burns to Embrace”
“We teach them to pretend
Not to break the line
To always look away
And never ask why”
Kamelot brought this startling, yet readily relatable, dystopian world to life with visual precision. The raised platform the keyboardist and drummer were on was encased in rusted, sheet metal; the mic stands were metallic, ensnaring, tendrils reaching out of the floor, as though connected to some sinister, soul-consuming machine; even the K emblem of Kamelot was fabricated, the letter a burnt outline, encased in scored, rusted metal, as though the bright banners and flags, symbols to inspire and lead, were lost in this highly industrialized, controlling, digital world; and the clothes the members of Kamelot wore were black, worn, and tattered, as though they were the heralds of the struggling resistance.
The vocal versatility of Tommy Karevik in translating this world into musical reality is truly something to behold. Over the span of a single chorus, the singer effortlessly transitions from valiantly defiant rock vocals to a soaring, tender tenor. While pitch shifting is a valuable asset to have for any vocalist, what makes Tommy such a remarkable performer is how he readily conveys a wide variety of emotions, and effortlessly shifts between them, not just per verse but per word. His control and intonation is truly an acoustic treat to experience in-person.
This ability, paired with the exceptional musicianship and exquisite technique of the other members of Kamelot, translates into vivid storytelling. This is felt, even in the opening number, “Phantom Divine (Shadow Empire),” in which Lauren Hart–vocalist of Once Human–made a guest appearance and let loose with her unearthly growls, transporting the listener to the dark, dystopian world of The Shadow Theory. Later in the concert, Noora Louhimo, vocalist of Battle Beast–the opening act of the evening–joined Lauren on stage during the song Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife).
The set list was comprised of tracks not only from The Shadow Theory, but songs from Haven, Black Halo, Karma, Silverthorn, and Ghost Opera made appearances as well. I was especially elated when they performed “When the Lights Are Down,” off of their Black Halo album, as it was the song that first introduced me to Kamelot. As an added treat to fans, the concert’s encore featured back-to-back songs with Lauren Hart. I highly recommend seeing Kamelot on their The Shadow Theory tour, where they’re accompanied by rocking metal monsters Battle Beast, and the ever-epic power metal masters Sonata Arctica.
Kamelot Set List:
Knight’s March
Phantom Divine (Shadow Empire)
Rule the World
When the Lights Are Down
Burns to Embrace
Vespertine (My Crimson Bride)
Torn
Karma
Veil of Elysium
Insomnia
Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)
Forever
Encore:
March of Mephisto
Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy)
Ministrium (Shadow Key)
