Kamelot is without any doubt one of the pioneering epic symphonic power metal acts of our time. After the change of their basic singer in 2012, they’re back with the second album with Tommy Karevik behind the mic. Once again, we grasped the chance to talk with Tommy about the band’s new album “Haven” among other things…
Hi Tommy, I’m glad we’re given the chance to talk again, after 2012, about Kamelot’s new album “Haven”…
T: Hi! Thanks for having me again.
What’s the difference between the new album “Haven” and “Silverthorn” according you?
T: Well…. “Haven” deals with the band’s perception of what the future will look like if we don’t stop this madness and egoism, whereas “Silverthorn” was a fictional glimpse into the past. “Haven” is not a full blown concept like “Silverthorn” was, it is more like stories from different people living in the same dark and dystopic world. So it has a theme lyrically and musically and some characters reappear throughout the album, but it is more of a loose concept. On “Haven” we also went for a more modern sound with some more aggressive parts to reflect and enhance the futuristic feeling. Other than that this was the second Kamelot album and naturally things will change and feel more comfortable once you get to know the band and the music a bit more.
How did you experience those 3 years with the band? What has changed since the day you first entered the group?
T: As I said there has been more time to get to know everyone. More time to get a proper feeling for what Kamelot was, is and is going to be. I feel like a part of the band and the “new” Kamelot and I am proud of that! I am very happy that the fans accepted me the way they have. I am sure touring as much as we have, has helped with the transition, letting people experience the new reborn Kamelot. We have so much fun every night on stage.
I had asked you in 2012, what was your biggest fear as soon as you stepped in Kamelot and you told me to be accepted for what you are. Do you think that this thing has been achieved finally?
T: Yeah of course… I gave that some thought in the beginning. It was scary for sure, but I pretty fast came to the conclusion that I can only do what I do and be who I am. After that it is not up to me anymore! Since the beginning I have tried to honor the great old songs, bring something new to the table for people to continue to enjoy Kamelot for many years to come, but also bring some new life and a positive spirit to the live shows. I don’t think about being the new guy so much anymore though. We have played hundreds of shows and I have meet most of the fans out there already and I can just say that they are all very proud to call themselves Kamelot fans!
What was the different thing in the recording sessions in comparison to 2012? Did you participate by writing your own vocal melodies or lyrics?
T: There was not a big difference in the way we worked. We just had more time to create “Haven”. That is the biggest difference I think. That and the fact that I been in the band longer. Even on “Silvethorn” I wrote most of the melodies and lyrics (some of it together with Sascha, Oliver and Thomas), and on “Haven” we worked in the same way.
You have toured & rehearsed extensively with the band in the last 3 years. Then came the recording sessions, now a new tour etc… I guess being a part of such a celebrated metal band has its “cost”. How do you experience this entire situation and which are the pros & cons of being too many days on the road?
T: It is mostly fun and rewarding, but of course it is a lot of hard work trying to connect the dots and make at all work. Apart from Kamelot, I also work fulltime as a firefighter. And on top of that I am the singer of Seventh Wonder. So yeah… time is not something I am having tons of! I try to take breaks from music when I feel drained or out of juice, even short ones are often enough.
What’s your own “Haven” and where does the album’s title refer to?
T: We wanted to create something that will stand the test of time. A record to put on and just dream away to a safe place where nothing can harm you. A source of comfort. Both I and Thomas had records like that growing up and I think many people have… Well-being an introvert, my “Haven” would be time alone or time with my family. That is where I recharge my batteries…
This time Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Charlotte Wessels (Delain) and Troy Donockley (Nightwish) are participating in the album. How was your cooperation, especially with the two ladies?
T: It was great. Alissa is as you know a long time friend of the band so that was a no-brainer. She was happy to help us out on “Liar Liar” with both her awesome growls and her great clean voice! We toured with Charlotte and Delain a couple of years ago and she has a really cool voice. We are singing a duet on the album “Under Grey Skies”.
Do you have any favorite tracks of the new album? If yes, which ones?
T: If I had to choose one it would be “Liar Liar”. That song has it all in my opinion, and coming from the progressive side of metal I really enjoy its diversity. I think that is going to kick ass live as well!
There’s one video for “Insomnia” and a lyric video for “Veil of Elysium” already out. Do you plan to release any video with the participation of Alissa or Charlotte at some point?
T: There is a next video coming out shortly… It will be a continuation of the “Insomnia” video and it is going to be the song “Liar Liar”. Speaking of special guests…
What are the next things that you want to accomplish with Kamelot and on your own?
T: I want Kamelot to grow as a band and reach more fans… There are so many more broken souls and hearts out there that need healing… Just read a couple of letters from fans telling their story about how our music helped them move on from tragic event or even… survive! That is what is important in the end… That is what gives meaning to all the energy and all the time we are putting into our music!
By the way are there any news regarding your other band Seventh Wonder? When shall we expect a new album to come out?
T: We are working on releasing the live DVD we recorded at ProgPower USA last year. We shot the whole “Mercy Falls” set as well as the exclusive Saturday show… As for a new album, everyone will know as soon as we know. But I can tell you that there is some exciting movement going on at the moment. (i.n.: That’s good to know. I’ve been longing for a new SW album for quite some time now!)
Time for our “weird questions”!!! Which is that band that has influenced most of the bands & musicians since rock music began…?
T: I wasn’t much of a metal guy growing up… So the musician that influenced me the most apart from rock is Michael Jackson. No doubt about that. A genius and an icon probably never to be matched. Thinking about it there was some cleverly disguised rock in there too!
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
T: The download mentality and the fact that some people actually think that they have the right to listen to music for free. It is undermining the whole scene of new bands that will never se the light of day. It is a tough scene and it really isn’t any different from walking in to a store, grabbing a bunch of stuff from the shelves and walk out of there thinking that it is your right… Who would do that? (i.n.: You’re 100% right dude…)
Best 3 heavy/power metal albums of all time?
T: I don’t know… But 3 of the albums that made the most impact on me for different reasons, and led me in different directions musically has been:
Dream Theater – “Scenes from a Memory”
Ark – “Burn the Sun”
Sonata Arctica – “Ecliptica”
Which do you consider to be the best music era of all time & why?
T: The 80s! MJ, Queen, Europe, Scorpions, Toto, Bon jovi, Aerosmith…I would have loved to be a teenager back then.. Before the 90s came and the grunge killed everything that was music to my ears. All the beautiful melodies, arrangements and bombastic flare was gone. Horrible.
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
T: Hi…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
T: I won!
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that’s more likely to send you straight to Hell, in the afterlife?
T: Greed… Too much of that in the world at the moment for sure…
It’s always great talking to you Tommy. Wish you the best for future endeavors & thx for the music. Say whatever you feel like saying… take care!
T: Thank you! I hope to see all of you people in a crowd somewhere along the road!
T: Hi! Thanks for having me again.
What’s the difference between the new album “Haven” and “Silverthorn” according you?
T: Well…. “Haven” deals with the band’s perception of what the future will look like if we don’t stop this madness and egoism, whereas “Silverthorn” was a fictional glimpse into the past. “Haven” is not a full blown concept like “Silverthorn” was, it is more like stories from different people living in the same dark and dystopic world. So it has a theme lyrically and musically and some characters reappear throughout the album, but it is more of a loose concept. On “Haven” we also went for a more modern sound with some more aggressive parts to reflect and enhance the futuristic feeling. Other than that this was the second Kamelot album and naturally things will change and feel more comfortable once you get to know the band and the music a bit more.
How did you experience those 3 years with the band? What has changed since the day you first entered the group?
T: As I said there has been more time to get to know everyone. More time to get a proper feeling for what Kamelot was, is and is going to be. I feel like a part of the band and the “new” Kamelot and I am proud of that! I am very happy that the fans accepted me the way they have. I am sure touring as much as we have, has helped with the transition, letting people experience the new reborn Kamelot. We have so much fun every night on stage.
I had asked you in 2012, what was your biggest fear as soon as you stepped in Kamelot and you told me to be accepted for what you are. Do you think that this thing has been achieved finally?
T: Yeah of course… I gave that some thought in the beginning. It was scary for sure, but I pretty fast came to the conclusion that I can only do what I do and be who I am. After that it is not up to me anymore! Since the beginning I have tried to honor the great old songs, bring something new to the table for people to continue to enjoy Kamelot for many years to come, but also bring some new life and a positive spirit to the live shows. I don’t think about being the new guy so much anymore though. We have played hundreds of shows and I have meet most of the fans out there already and I can just say that they are all very proud to call themselves Kamelot fans!
What was the different thing in the recording sessions in comparison to 2012? Did you participate by writing your own vocal melodies or lyrics?
T: There was not a big difference in the way we worked. We just had more time to create “Haven”. That is the biggest difference I think. That and the fact that I been in the band longer. Even on “Silvethorn” I wrote most of the melodies and lyrics (some of it together with Sascha, Oliver and Thomas), and on “Haven” we worked in the same way.
You have toured & rehearsed extensively with the band in the last 3 years. Then came the recording sessions, now a new tour etc… I guess being a part of such a celebrated metal band has its “cost”. How do you experience this entire situation and which are the pros & cons of being too many days on the road?
T: It is mostly fun and rewarding, but of course it is a lot of hard work trying to connect the dots and make at all work. Apart from Kamelot, I also work fulltime as a firefighter. And on top of that I am the singer of Seventh Wonder. So yeah… time is not something I am having tons of! I try to take breaks from music when I feel drained or out of juice, even short ones are often enough.
What’s your own “Haven” and where does the album’s title refer to?
T: We wanted to create something that will stand the test of time. A record to put on and just dream away to a safe place where nothing can harm you. A source of comfort. Both I and Thomas had records like that growing up and I think many people have… Well-being an introvert, my “Haven” would be time alone or time with my family. That is where I recharge my batteries…
This time Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Charlotte Wessels (Delain) and Troy Donockley (Nightwish) are participating in the album. How was your cooperation, especially with the two ladies?
T: It was great. Alissa is as you know a long time friend of the band so that was a no-brainer. She was happy to help us out on “Liar Liar” with both her awesome growls and her great clean voice! We toured with Charlotte and Delain a couple of years ago and she has a really cool voice. We are singing a duet on the album “Under Grey Skies”.
Do you have any favorite tracks of the new album? If yes, which ones?
T: If I had to choose one it would be “Liar Liar”. That song has it all in my opinion, and coming from the progressive side of metal I really enjoy its diversity. I think that is going to kick ass live as well!
There’s one video for “Insomnia” and a lyric video for “Veil of Elysium” already out. Do you plan to release any video with the participation of Alissa or Charlotte at some point?
T: There is a next video coming out shortly… It will be a continuation of the “Insomnia” video and it is going to be the song “Liar Liar”. Speaking of special guests…
What are the next things that you want to accomplish with Kamelot and on your own?
T: I want Kamelot to grow as a band and reach more fans… There are so many more broken souls and hearts out there that need healing… Just read a couple of letters from fans telling their story about how our music helped them move on from tragic event or even… survive! That is what is important in the end… That is what gives meaning to all the energy and all the time we are putting into our music!
By the way are there any news regarding your other band Seventh Wonder? When shall we expect a new album to come out?
T: We are working on releasing the live DVD we recorded at ProgPower USA last year. We shot the whole “Mercy Falls” set as well as the exclusive Saturday show… As for a new album, everyone will know as soon as we know. But I can tell you that there is some exciting movement going on at the moment. (i.n.: That’s good to know. I’ve been longing for a new SW album for quite some time now!)
Time for our “weird questions”!!! Which is that band that has influenced most of the bands & musicians since rock music began…?
T: I wasn’t much of a metal guy growing up… So the musician that influenced me the most apart from rock is Michael Jackson. No doubt about that. A genius and an icon probably never to be matched. Thinking about it there was some cleverly disguised rock in there too!
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
T: The download mentality and the fact that some people actually think that they have the right to listen to music for free. It is undermining the whole scene of new bands that will never se the light of day. It is a tough scene and it really isn’t any different from walking in to a store, grabbing a bunch of stuff from the shelves and walk out of there thinking that it is your right… Who would do that? (i.n.: You’re 100% right dude…)
Best 3 heavy/power metal albums of all time?
T: I don’t know… But 3 of the albums that made the most impact on me for different reasons, and led me in different directions musically has been:
Dream Theater – “Scenes from a Memory”
Ark – “Burn the Sun”
Sonata Arctica – “Ecliptica”
Which do you consider to be the best music era of all time & why?
T: The 80s! MJ, Queen, Europe, Scorpions, Toto, Bon jovi, Aerosmith…I would have loved to be a teenager back then.. Before the 90s came and the grunge killed everything that was music to my ears. All the beautiful melodies, arrangements and bombastic flare was gone. Horrible.
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
T: Hi…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
T: I won!
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that’s more likely to send you straight to Hell, in the afterlife?
T: Greed… Too much of that in the world at the moment for sure…
It’s always great talking to you Tommy. Wish you the best for future endeavors & thx for the music. Say whatever you feel like saying… take care!
T: Thank you! I hope to see all of you people in a crowd somewhere along the road!