May 25th, 2023 - The Shadowed String Theory

 

Hello there metal heads and artisan beer freaks!  The Meista here today rocking out to "The Shadow Theory", the amazing 12th album from Kamelot and a tasty and crushable String Theory Saison from Equilibrium Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!!  

Album Info:

• Artist: Kamelot
• Title: "The Shadow Theory" (Digipak Edition)
• Recorded: 2017 in Wolfsburg, Germany
• Release date: April 6th, 2018 (12th studio album by Kamelot)
• Record company: Napalm Records
• Production: Sascha Paeth and Kamelot
• Album cover art: Stefan Heilemann
• Personnel: Tommy Karevik (vocals), Johan Nunez (drums), Oliver Palotai (keyboards), Sean Tibbetts (bass), Thomas Youngblood (guitars)
• Additional musicians: Jennifer Haben (vocals), Lauren Hart (vocals), Sascha Paeth (additional guitars and keys, and growls on "The Proud and the Broken")
• Choir: Annie Berens, Oliver Hartmann, Herbie Langhans, Evelyn Mank, Nadine Ruch, Cloudy Yang, and Thomas Dalton Youngblood
• Musical style: Melodic power metal, progressive metal, symphonic metal, gothic metal
• Sound: Emotive, bombastic, complex, and totally engaging, Kamelot's latest album continues the evolution of the band's sound with singer Karevik.  Youngblood's fiery guitar work tears and shreds, Palotai's keys soar, Tibbetts and Nunez hammer out a rhythm of tribal power, and Kaverik's amazing vocal acrobatics just get better and better with each album!  The guest vocals of the amazing Lauren Hart and Jennifer Haben add another level of depth and power!
• Major themes: A concept album of sorts with songs about an oppressive government in a dystopian future, themes on "The Shadow Theory" include rebellion, control, power, freedom, memory, darkness, sorrow, hope, etc.
• Tracks: 

Disc 1:

1. "The Mission"
2. "Phantom Divine (Shadow Empire)"
3. "RavenLight"
4. "Amnesiac"
5. "Burns To Embrace"
6. "In Twilight Hours"
7. "Kevlar Skin"
8. "Static"
9. "MindFall Remedy"
10. "Stories Unheard"
11. "Vespertine (My Crimson Bride)"
12. "The Proud And The Broken"
13. "Ministrium (Shadow Key)"

Disc 2:

1. "Phantom Divine (Shadow Empire)" (instrumental version)
2. "RavenLight" (instrumental version)
3. "Amnesiac" (instrumental version)
4. "Burns To Embrace" (instrumental version)
5. "Kevlar Skin" (instrumental version)
6. "The Proud And The Broken" (instrumental version)
7. "The Last Day Of Sunlight" (bonus track)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Equilibrium Brewing Company (Middletown, New York)
• Website: https://www.eqbrew.com/
• Brew: String Theory Saison
• Style: Saison 
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Ingredients: Farmhouse mixed culture, white wheat, and Strata hops 
• Pour: The String Theory pours a hazy, light straw yellow with a frothy, bright white, 1+ finger head that slowly dissipates to the thin ring with light lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by citrusy, fruity, floral, grainy, and subtle sweetness.  There are aromas of tangerine, lemon zest, banana, pear, hay, summer grass, wildflowers, crackery grains, and a subtle hint of funk.
• Taste: The taste of the String Theory follows the nose with lots of citrus, fruit, and more subtle malt flavors.  There are notes of lemon zest, orange zest, Anjou pear juice, sourdough bread, soft banana, crackery biscuit, and softer toffee notes.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp, refreshing, and slightly acidic with a dry, crisp, and clean finish.

Overall pairing: The is a complex, punchy, and delicious brew... perfect for the power, intensity, intricacies, and overall depth of Kamelot's amazing "The Shadow Theory"!  Those fruity notes make a great foil to the dark themes and feel of the album, while the sweeter notes go great with the wonderful vocals, soaring guitars, and keys!

I picked up "The Shadow Theory" from my buddy Kevin at the Heavy Metal Shop (www.heavymetalshop.com)... and you should too!!

Cheers and hails!!