Album of the Week
Dark Asylum
Kamelot
Released Aug 28, 2026 • Napalm Records
Dark, dramatic, melodic, and utterly compelling.
⭐
9/10
Symphonic Metal
4
starting results
0
Tracklist
- 1 Sanctorium
2 Ashen World ⭐
3 Dark Asylum
4 Sanctuary ⭐
5 Nocte Veritas
6 One Last Masquerade
7 Ivy, My Dear
8 Godlike Alchemy ⭐
9 The Sleeping Mind (Orphic Paradigm)
10 Kaleidoscope
11 Enigma (Think of Me)
12 Cassandra's Disease
13 Beneath the Moon
14 The Puppet King
15 Sanctum Requiem
Editor's Picks
For Fans Of:
Epica, Avantasia, Sonata Arctica
⭐ Standout Tracks:
"Sanctuary", “Godlike Alchemy”, “Ashen World”
THE REVIEW
Kamelot’s fifteenth album finds the band deepening the cinematic and theatrical side of their sound without losing sight of the melodies that have defined them for decades. Dark Asylum is rich in orchestration, dramatic vocals, layered guitars and grand arrangements, creating a suitably shadowy atmosphere around its RavenHill Asylum concept. Tommy Karevik remains a commanding presence, while Thomas Youngblood’s guitars provide plenty of weight beneath Oliver Palotai’s keyboards and the album’s extensive orchestral touches. Guest appearances add further colour rather than feeling bolted on, and the production allows the different layers to work together without overwhelming the songs. There is plenty of darkness here, but also warmth, melody and an unmistakable sense of Kamelot’s identity.
THE SONGS
“Sanctorium” sets the scene with a brief orchestral introduction before “Ashen World” arrives with sweeping arrangements, a huge chorus and Ignacia Fernández adding another vocal dimension. The title track keeps the theatrical momentum going, while “Sanctuary” takes a more reflective route with Clémentine Delauney and Fernández adding to its atmosphere. “Nocte Veritas” acts as a short transition before “One Last Masquerade” brings Tobias Sammet into the story for one of the album’s most striking vocal combinations. “Ivy, My Dear” adds further mystery, while “Godlike Alchemy” delivers a particularly strong mix of heavy guitars, strings and melody. “The Sleeping Mind (Orphic Paradigm)” takes a more progressive turn, followed by the shifting arrangements of “Kaleidoscope”. “Enigma (Think of Me)” brings a more haunting mood, while “Cassandra’s Disease” embraces the darker side of the record. “Beneath the Moon (Tunglið)” provides an atmospheric change of pace before “The Puppet King” restores the drama, with “Sanctum Requiem” bringing the journey to a suitably sombre close.
THE VERDICT
Dark Asylum sees Kamelot embracing their theatrical side while delivering the melodies, musicianship and atmosphere that make their sound so distinctive.
