Last year when I caught Kamelot’s performance at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana California it was a point in time that I will never forget. There were the normal expected problematic encounters at the box office but in addition the evening wielded a few unexpected surprises as well. Some were good and some were not so good. As far as the bands performance, not only did they completely steal away the show but they solidified themselves in my book as one of today’s most powerful and promising live Metal acts. My friend and writer for On Track Lorn who reviewed the show was not so dramatically inclined to share my perspective and after I edited his piece and the senseless amount of whiny ass complaining he took it so personally that he ended our 10+ year friendship. I never thought that a difference of opinion over a band would have such grave consequences but I guess it goes to show that this business of Heavy Metal music is not something to be taken lightly. Needless to say our parting has not changed much in my everyday life and he still sits at home in his parent’s house while his wife works and pretends to be a man who is intelligent and correct in his life assessment. He is 36 years old. So being that he is not going to all the cool concerts anymore all I can say is it’s your loss dude. When I received word that Kamelot were returning to the Southern California area I immediately knew I was going to be there!

This time through I caught the bands dynamic live set at the Key Club in Hollywood CA. The guys tapped German Goth metaler’s Leaves Eyes’ for this trek and I must say I couldn’t have been happier. I also saw Leaves Eyes’ perform last year when they toured North America as support for Blind Guardian and I was highly impressed then so tonight promised to be an ecstatically great time of superior in your face Metal. In spite of having a mix up with their airline resulting in the loss of all their equipment, the band Led by the light hearted and often times haunting voice of Liv Kristine managed to pull through with flying colors. Leaves Eyes take on a slightly different approach when it comes to the female fronted Metal bands that are rising up in popularity today. She isn’t an opera vocalist although there are operatic elements, she isn’t pure Goth yet there are hints of that as well. She doesn’t growl, grunt or yell but instead leaves that to her husband and fellow band mate Alexander Krull who also fronts the veteran German death metal band Atrocity. The latest North American jaunt in support of their most recent releases the new Legend Land EP and Vineland Saga LP respectively took the band up another notch exposing their unique sound to a much broader audience than ever before.

Kamelot were just as impressive as the last time I saw them and once again they proved their worth by shelling out song after song of unparalleled sonic proportions. Frontman Roy Kahn is well on his way to being one of the great vocalists of our day and guitarist Thomas Yongblood is truly a master of metallic riffery. Choice cuts for the evening included the tile song off their latest endeavor “Ghost Opera”, “Solitaire”, my personal favorite “March of Mephisto”, and Kahn’s tour de force “Abandoned”. The crowd response was absolutely pristine for the bands atmospherically apt objectivity. By every measure Kamelot stand true as an accomplished group of above average musicians.

Again, I was extremely grateful to have attended this event. Both bands were thoroughly exceptional and severely entertaining; one couldn’t ask for a better show. I do hope that Kamelot will return again in the not too distant future. As for Leaves’ Eyes you can catch them on tour early next spring with the legendary King Diamond, Kreator and Cellador.  

-Priest