News | Kamelot New Video Single

,,One More Flag In The Ground''

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MODERN SYMPHONIC METAL ICONS KAMELOT TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM `THE AWAKENING’ ON MARCH 17, 2023

One of the most innovative and prestigious bands in modern symphonic metal, heavy icons Kamelot are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their most introspective, uplifting, vital release to date – their first full-length in five years, 2023’s aptly titled The Awakening, out March 17, 2023 via Napalm Records.

Having reigned supreme with the release of internationally top-charting melodic metal pinnacles such as The Fourth Legacy (1999), The Black Halo (2005), Silverthorn (2012), Haven (2015, #1 US Hard Rock Albums), and most recently 2018’s acclaimed The Shadow Theory (#2 US Hard Music Albums), The Awakening enters the Kamelot legacy as their most massive and diverse offering yet – mixing symphonic, gothic, melodic, progressive and power metal styles while yielding some of the heaviest tracks in the band’s history.

Today, alongside the announcement of The Awakening, Kamelot have gifted fans with the first single from the album – the unforgettably huge, radio-ready anthem “One More Flag in the Ground”. The track proves the band’s unwavering skill of balancing rock and metal potency, and explores important lyrical themes of fighting physical or mental disease, illness or strife.

KAMELOT COMMENTS

Vocalist Tommy Karevik offers: “The main focus on this video and song was to have a metaphor for the struggles of fighting disease or illness, whether it being physical or mental. Each step of healing and recovery is another Flag in the Ground. With every little step, one more victory won…”

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

THE PRODUCTION AND MIX

Kamelot is one of few bands in the symphonic genre to fully embrace the dark, but of course, there can be no light without it. Inspiring, engaging lyrical themes of determination, strength, overcoming personal battles and growth are abound on The Awakening, provoked by extreme societal shifts and the overwhelming realization that we have such a brief time to be true to ourselves and live life to its fullest.

With crystal clear modern production helmed by the band and longtime producer Sascha Paeth, plus mixing and mastering by Jacob Hansen of Hansen Studios, Kamelot’s score-like 13th studio album is accented by guest contributions from the likes of Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum) and renowned instrumentalists like violinist Florian Janoske and Grammy nominated, soundtrack-featured cellist Tina Guo. 

Kamelot guitarist Thomas Youngblood says:

“With The Awakening, we have one of our most diverse albums in years. We’ve fused elements from progressive, power and gothic metal to symphonic and melodic metal on this one. Working with incredible guest artists from around the music industry and having producer Sascha Paeth and Jacob Hansen mixing gave us another step up on overall sound. This album offers everything to Kamelot fans and also reaches beyond borders to new metal and hard rock legions.”

THE AWAKENING

Showcasing the incomparable, stage-seasoned vocal acrobatics of Tommy Karevik and increasingly airtight, renowned technical teamwork of guitarist Thomas Youngblood, drummer Alex Landenburg, keyboardist Oliver Palotai and bassist Sean Tibbetts, The Awakening embraces enlivening themes that every listener can relate to. Kamelot’s intense brand of ultramodern gothic and symphonic theatricality is amplified further and with more emotionality than ever on this inspiring, anticipated addition to the Kamelot legacy.

PRE ORDER THE AWAKENING HERE

Tracks honoring Kamelot trademarks like cinematic “The Great Divide” and darkly hopeful eternal farewell to a loved one, “Eventide”, prove that while The Awakening stays true to the aural foundations fans have embraced for decades, equally-addictive outputs like “One More Flag in the Ground” – a radio-ready anthem about overcoming seemingly unbeatable illness and the mental challenges we all face, featuring additional vocal layers from JUNO Award winning musician and producer Brian Howes – showcase a band devoid of sonic stagnancy. 

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

Profound compositions are plentiful, like stage-ready, operatic “Opus of the Night (Ghost Requiem)”, which features a hair-raising dual solo from guitarist Thomas Youngblood and guest cellist Tina Guo, as well as epic, synth-laden “New Babylon”, elevated by the dynamic vocal attack of frontman Tommy Karevik and Ad Infinitum’s Melissa Bonny. Further balancing darkness with light, grooving, heartfelt “NightSky” and ode to conquering one’s adversities “My Pantheon (Forevermore)” boast some of the album’s heaviest moments and most complex guitar solos, while pensive hymns such as Celtic-infused “Midsummer’s Eve” and ebbing-and-flowing hymn of cherished memories “Willow” provide necessary balance to an album fittingly primed for spectacular performances to come.

THE AWAKENING TRACK LISTING

1. Overture (Intro)

2. The Great Divide

3. Eventide

4. One More Flag in the Ground

5. Opus of the Night (Ghost Requiem)

6. Midsummer’s Eve

7. Bloodmoon

8. NightSky

9. The Looking Glass

10. New Babylon

11. Willow

12. My Pantheon (Forevermore)

13. Ephemera (Outro)

The Awakening will be available in the following formats:

–Digital Album

–CD Digipak

–CD Digipak + Shirt Bundle – Napalm Records exclusive

–2-LP Gatefold Vinyl Black

–2-LP Gatefold Vinyl in Splatter Red + Black – Napalm Records exclusive (European webstore), limited to 500

–2-LP Gatefold in Marbled White + Black – Napalm Records exclusive (North American webstore), limited to 300

–48p Earbook with 7” Vinyl Single – Napalm Records exclusive, limited to 500

–Wooden Boxset with Envelope Opener, Flag, Patch and Band Postcard – Napalm Records exclusive, limited to 1000

–Music Cassette – Napalm Records exclusive, limited to 100

TOUR 2023

Kamelot will tour the world in support of The Awakening! See below for their upcoming European Awaken The World Tour dates.

KAMELOT Awaken the World Tour Europe – Part 1:

w/ special guests Myrath, Eleine, League of Distortion

Mar 12, 2023 – Pratteln, CH / Z7

Mar 13, 2023 – Lille, FR / Splendid

Mar 14, 2023 – Paris, FR / Elysee Montmartre

Mar 17, 2023 – Cologne, DE / Essigfabrik

Mar 18, 2023 – Den Bosch, NL / Mainstage

Mar 19, 2023 – Brussels, BE / La Madeleine

Mar 21, 2023 – Hamburg, DE / Gruenspan

Mar 22, 2023 – Roskilde, DK / Gimle

Mar 24, 2023 – Oslo, NO / Sentrum Scene

Mar 25, 2023 – Gothenburg, SE / Trädgårn

Mar 26, 2023 – Stockholm, SE / Berns

Mar 29, 2023 – Helsinki, FI / Vanha Ylioppilastalo

Mar 31, 2023 – Tampere, FI / Pakkahuone

Apr 1, 2023 – Oulu, FI / Tapahtumakeskus Tullisali

Apr 3, 2023 – Tallinn, EE / Helitehas

Apr 4, 2023 – Rīga, LV / Melnā Piektdiena

Apr 6, 2023 – Warsaw, PL / Progresja

Apr 7, 2023 – Prague, CZ / Meet Factory

Apr 8, 2023 – Budapest, HU / Barba Negra

Spring/Summer Festivals:

May 4, 2023 – Karmøygeddon Metal Festival, NO – Headlining

Sep 8, 2023 – ProgPower USA XXII, USA – Headlining

Header photo credit: Nat Enemede