KAMELOT Poetry Contest

You know by now that Kamelot's North American tour has been postponed due to singer Roy Khan's illness, so I'm waiting here on word that their show at First Avenue in Minneapolis will be rescheduled. Their new album, Poetry For The Poisoned, was just released, and Kamelot has announced a poetry contest. Entries should be submitted by email to poetry@kamelot.com by Thursday, September 30. You can create any form of poetry that is Kamelot-related, such as a song, an album, or what the band's music means to you. The band will select their top five favorites, and these winners will receive a Kamelot T-shirt, an autographed poster, and more.

Now for some silliness! I decided to have some fun with this contest and thought I'd share my poetry entry. Since I went to Steelheart's recent show at G.B. Leighton's Pickle Park in Fridley (review is coming shortly!), I thought I'd pay homage to Kamelot by adapting a Steelheart song. This is intended to be sung to Steelheart's classic power ballad "I'll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)". You can follow along while watching Steelheart perform the original at their recent show in Fridley.

I'll Always Crank It Up (Kamelot)

Kamelot

You mean a lot

Such a sound that lights up my life oh

You're a band come true

I love each and every tune

And I'll always, always crank it up

I will always crank it up

First time my ears heard Roy's voice

All my screams were answered

First time I heard Tom's guitars

My loyalty I do pledge

I'll always crank it up

Your band's the greatest find

You're the only band for me

You're all I hear

And I'll always, always crank it up

Kamelot

My blood runs hot

On the songs you share with me

You never let me down

You're always in my mind

And I'll always, always crank it up

I will always crank it up

When the amps cease to rumble

And the curtain starts to fall

The songs stay close within me

And give me strength to soldier on

I'll always crank it up

Your band's the greatest find

You're the only band for me

You're all I hear

And I'll always, always crank it up

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KAMELOT Postpones North American Tour; ProgPower USA XI Performance Still On

I'm currently in Europe until the end of the week, so I haven't had the chance to update the site with some news in the last couple days. First up is yesterday's news from Kamelot that they are postponing their North American tour a couple days after announcing that vocalist Michael Eriksen from Circus Maximus would substitute for the ill Roy Khan. Despite this, Kamelot will still headline the ProgPower USA XI festival in Atlanta, Georgia this Friday, September 10. Leaves' Eyes and Blackguard, who were slated to support the Kamelot tour, will also still be performing at ProgPower this Friday.

Additionally, although ProgPower is sold out, the promoter has released 25 extra tickets for Kamelot fans. For more information about how to get one of these tickets visit the ProgPower website.

Here's the complete statement from Kamelot about the tour cancellation that was sent out by press release:

"Hi Kamelot Nation.

As many of you know, Roy has fallen ill and could not make the North American tour. We have been rehearsing like madmen here in Tampa -- the band is tighter than ever and Michael from Circus Maximus is truly an amazing singer; if there is one male vocalist in this world who is on par with Roy, it is Michael! However, after today's rehearsal, we all decided that we do not feel right about doing the North American tour as anything less than a 100% Kamelot Experience. We appreciate that many fans have waited more than 2 years for new material and to see us perform together. Our new album, Poetry for the Poisoned represents a labor of love from us, and to present it at anything less than full strength seems a disservice to all involved.

Though we will suffer financial losses on this late hour cancellation, we still feel it’s the right decision for us as a band to make – we regret disappointing all those who worked so hard to shape this tour, and especially those fans who were still so willing to come through and support us despite Roy’s absence. We are humbled by that type of support, and we sincerely hope that our return in full form Kamelot strength will be more reward for your unwavering loyalty!  We will reschedule all shows in the near future, once Roy is able to return. To thank Michael for his effort, the band will still appear at the sold-out Progpower Festival, as a one off show with him and many special guest singers from the festival. Again, we want to thank all of you for your amazing support!!"

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Illness Forces KAMELOT Singer Roy Khan To Miss North American Tour

Progressive/power metal band Kamelot issued a press release stating that vocalist Roy Khan was recently striken with an undiagnosed illness during tour rehearsals in Tampa, Florida, and has returned home to Norway to recover. Rather than cancel the tour on the eve of its start, Kamelot has drafted Michael Eriksen from Norway's Circus Maximus to sing on this tour with Roy's "full and unconditional blessing." Also joining the band for this outing will be Elize Ryd, Swedish vocalist for Amaranthe.

Kamelot also announced that an ESP guitar autographed by Thomas Youngblood will be given away at the end of the North American tour. You can enter the drawing for the guitar only at each of the shows. After nearly selling out Station 4 the last time through St. Paul, Kamelot steps up to the main room at First Avenue in Minneapolis on September 25, and the full tour itinerary is listed below. Support on the Minneapolis date will come from Leaves' Eyes, Blackguard, and Dawn Of Valor. Kamelot's new album, Poetry For The Poisoned, will be released in the United States on September 10.

September 8 - Lake Buena Vista, FL, House Of Blues

September 10 - Atlanta, GA, Progpower USA Festival

September 11 - Springfield, VA, Jaxx

September 14 - Philadelphia, PA, The Tracadero

September 15 - New York, NY, Nokia Theatre, Record release show

September 17 - Worcester, MA, The Palladium

September 18 - Montreal, QC, Club Soda

September 19 - Toronto, ON, The Opera House

September 21 - Cleveland, OH, Peabody's

September 22 - Milwaukee, WI, The Rave

September 24 - Chicago, IL, Logan Square Auditorium

September 25 - Minneapolis, MN, First Avenue w/Leaves' Eyes, Blackguard, Dawn Of Valor

September 27 - Denver, CO, Bluebird Theatre

September 29 - San Francisco, CA, Slim's

October 1 - Hollywood, CA, House Of Blues

October 2 - San Diego, CA, House Of Blues

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Epica Keyboardist For North American Tour

Coen Janssen, keyboardist for Epica, has released a statement on his Myspace blog explaining that he will not be joining the band on their North American tour which began last night to focus on commitments related to planning his wedding in April. His replacement for this tour is Oliver Palotai, keyboardist for Kamelot.

Epica will be performing at Station 4 in St. Paul on Saturday, February 6. Support will come from Threat Signal, Blackguard, Echoterra, Gracepoint, and Dread Veil.

Kamelot Announces Minneapolis Concert

Power metal band Kamelot has announced a Fall 2010 North American tour that will bring them back to town in support of their new, forthcoming album. Kamelot will step up from their previously packed shows at Station in St. Paul to play First Avenue in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 25. Support acts will be Leaves' Eyes and Blackguard.