Formed in the late ’80s, American metallers KAMELOT are about to release a box set collection with remastered material, but as advance the band will release their debut album, 1995’s “Eternity”, ready for its 3-decade party.
Remastered by legendary Jacob Hansen, ”Eternity (30th Anniversary Edition / 2025 Remaster)” sounds better than ever, an album that needed a sonic balance and here’s in full.
While the music o nthis debut album may not be that which now defines the band, there are nevertheless strong indications of their potential. The symphonic intro to the opening title track for example offers the reassurance that the band are confident enough to embellish what would otherwise be a straightforward rock/metal number.
The sound is that of Iron Maiden meets Crimson Glory meets 1983 Queensryche. Lead singer Mark Vanderbilt has a strong voice which is suited perfectly to the style the band adopt here – his delivery is very much in the Geoff Tate way as he delivers suitably imaginative lyrics, while band founder Thomas Youngblood guitar work is impressive, especially the solos.
Despite some rather predictable sound effects, “Call of the sea” is one of the album’s highlights, the powerful anthemic riff supporting some fine guitar work and a compulsive hook. “Red sands” also shows a willingness to develop a track beyond the simplicity of its basic structure, perhaps not to the extent of becoming a prog epic, but the softer core of the song makes for a pleasing diversion.
“What about Me” is a very well constructed metal ballad with fine acoustic instrumentation over orchestral keyboards. A brief acoustic guitar and flute (sound) interlude “Etude Jongleur” link this to the final track “The Gleeman” which returns us to the melodic heavy substance of the album.
Overall, this is a highly competent first album from a band who would go on to greater things. It gets kudos for the year it came out, a year where playing ’80s influenced classic metal was not only unfashionable, but often the subject of constant ridicule and derision.
Highly Recommended for those who enjoy classic melodic metal with an ’80s feeling.
1. Eternity (2025 Remaster) (05:42)
2. Black Tower (2025 Remaster) (04:05)
3. Call of the Sea (2025 Remaster) (05:16)
4. Proud Nomad (2025 Remaster) (04:52)
5. Red Sands (2025 Remaster) (04:08)
6. One of the Hunted (2025 Remaster) (05:28)
7. Fire Within (2025 Remaster) (04:56)
8. Warbird (2025 Remaster) (05:23)
9. What About Me (2025 Remaster) (04:22)
10. Etude Jongleur (2025 Remaster) (00:52)
11. The Gleeman (2025 Remaster) (06:20)
Kamelot – Eternity (30th Anniversary Edition; 2025 Remaster) , MP3+FLAC
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