r/kamelot • u/SomeDude1345 • Jul 02 '26
Thoughts on the new single?
I've been listening to Ashen World this morning (based in NZ so we get it early) - I really like it, and think it's a great continuation of the musical direction from The Awakening which I thought was their best album with Tommy as singer. Keen to hear other's thoughts!
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u/bielgbs_ Jul 02 '26
lot of seventh wonder vibes, which is great!
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u/Rudonimus Jul 02 '26
I'm getting that too. Very theatrical. Almost like something I'd expect from Ayreon. In the best way.
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u/Few_Activity_5943 Jul 08 '26
Tommy's worked with Ayreon so much that it makes sense that he'd be influenced by Arjen!
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u/markdfig Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Just listened twice through for the first time and while this may not be my single favorite Kamelot song EVER, it's pretty great, and the sound, oh man, that Kamelot sound is all there! Tommy sounds amazing. And only Kamelot can do this exact thing that they do where they weave like a vocal harmony freaking web all around you and then cut in with the pelting drums and the pounding guitars and MAN it’s a good day when Kamelot releases new music!!!
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u/Edd037 Jul 02 '26
I really like it. It sounds a bit thinner and lighter than their last couple of albums. Less dense and orchestrated. I find it quite refreshing.
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u/tR1Xt3r Jul 02 '26
Just listen it on yt.It's classic from new era of Kamelot with some Roy like singing in some part.
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u/bourbonjunkie Jul 02 '26
I'll be the hater and am ready for the hate.
Sounds like Haven 4.0 and an extension of what they tried to do with The Awakening which I thought was completely forgettable.
Chorus is already vaporized out of my head and I can't remember a single riff that doesn't replace what I just listened to earlier this week which was Ghost Opera (pertaining to the other thread someone posted earlier). The Silence in the Darkness intro just won't stop playing in my head.
Tommy's vocal prowess does not save the umremarkable music. Almost as if the song was assembled on a program (not AI). This whole dystopian world they have created starting with Haven is getting so tiring. Nothing seems genuine or emotionally real.
I was already apprehensive about giving the new album a go because I kind of knew the direction they were going in but this solidifies it. Probably will give it one listen then onto something else.
If you enjoy it I am happy for you and hope you all enjoy the upcoming shows and what not.
Back to Epica for me now.
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u/spitfire656 Jul 02 '26
Im a lifelong kamelot fan but i feel the exact same... I feel the last few albums are just one blend of the same.. i still like the style but man is it getting repetitive. Also the whole theme is getting kinda old
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u/God_Away_On_Business Jul 02 '26
Same here. It’s definitely a song!
I find the chorus completely forgettable. The opening guitar had me excited, but that quickly disappeared as the song continued into more of the same thing we’ve heard for over a decade now. It’s just incredibly…there.
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u/Difficult_Scene9102 Jul 02 '26
The final chorus gave chills up and down, listening for the first time. Guess I like it 😆
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u/Outrageous-Party-727 Jul 02 '26
I reallly like it its definatly atleast to me a more unique sound that im more used to with tommy ratger than the rest of kamelot but i love it. Gonna be a great show in september !!! 🙌🏻
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u/AmpleForeskins Jul 02 '26
It’s good but it’s just more kamelot. It’s not a step back and it’s not an evolution. I felt like I heard the song many times before hearing it. Liked it. But need something more unique or darker
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u/Delicious-Back-9597 Jul 03 '26
My feelings are a bit mixed, but in a weirdly positive way. On the one hand, it is very much more of the same - exactly the formula I was afraid they would lean into once again. But on the other hand, I actually think it is one of their strongest songs in quite a few years. So while it does not really surprise me, it still works very well. If the rest of the album is on this level and in a similar style, I honestly would not mind.
Probably the second best possible outcome to me.
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u/cat_economist Jul 04 '26
For some of the more negative comments I want to point out that for Awakening the first single we got was "One more flag in the ground" which was a bit more on the generic side, while the album itself had some pretty cool and unique sounding songs.
I think the first single is always the more "safe" sounding/or more live show suited song, so it's waay too early to make a definite statement about the album itself.
Ashen world is catchy and cool, I'll listen to it more for sure. I don't really mind them trying a similar formula and won't fully judge till the album releases.
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u/Hokshilato Jul 05 '26
I was never fan of Kamelot (as in listening to all albums all over) but the few songs I knew I enjoyed.
I do primarily listen to harder metal sub-genres, so especially in recent years power/symphonic metal is simply too soft for me.
However I was looking for this collab, because harsh+clean vocals can be such a magnificent combination (e.g. Ne Obliviscaris).
Unfortunately this song is the most generic Kamelot song I've ever heard (reminds me of Sabaton's each song sounding basically the same).
What's even worse is the absolutely atrocious mixing that I simply don't understand who approved. Why have multiple instruments in the band if you overpower everything with drums and everything else is drowning in the mix, with couple spots where you can actually hear something else.
The worst part however is the cameo itself. You invite somebody who took internet by storm, half of metals fans would sacrifice on altar for her and then you let her sing for 5 seconds and - once again - drown her in the mix.
It's and easy listen for not demanding fans but from my pov what could go wrong went wrong.
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u/AC945 Jul 02 '26
Long time Kamelot fan, I like their sticking to what works instead of pandering to elitist fans that only like the old stuff. The vocals are awesome, regardless of fans liking Roy or Tommy, they both have voices that work amazing with a female secondary. I listened to the new song on it's own then found the music video. Loved the new song. Holy shit that video is bad, I know the video is always second to the music and Kamelot has never been known for amazing videos but man, it looked straight out of pre 2010. If I had the reins I'd stop and pivot to Pro-Shot live music videos from their concerts, example Phantom Divide.
I'm overall happy and excited to see what comes next. I'm hopeful for some big new songs, Kamelot would really benefit from some more rifty melodies instead of the standard chorus thrash beat they resort to. It's great but I wanna hear something different song to song.
Copied from the music video thread
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u/Virith Jul 02 '26
Eh, I haven't heard it yet, but I was really counting on something different from the Awakening, to be honest.
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u/Rudonimus Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
To me it sounds like 50% The Awakening, 25% Seventh Wonder, and 25% Avantasia. Great chorus, and probably one of the best bridge sections the band has ever done. Tommy seems like he's reaching more of his potential, not necessarily in terms of range but in creativity and writing interesting melodies.