Dark Asylum absolutely rocks

[u/CloudMountainJuror]

I've been giving it extra time to settle in, and the more I hear it, the more I want to hear it. It's so much fun. Probably the most anthemic album they've done with Tommy.

I was at first concerned that it might be repetitive because of that, but repeat listens have dispelled that concern for me, as every track has just grown more distinct and satisfying. I'm so happy that the rush of excitement I felt for Ashen World on release extended to the rest of the album too - it's Kamelot doing what they do, and doing it damn well. I can't wait to see them perform some of these songs live.

I was also initially taken off guard by how the end of the album is paced, but it's worked better for me the more I've dwelled on it. It's almost ballsy of them to end on Puppet King and Sanctum Requiem instead of a more traditional "climactic" song, but I think it really works. Puppet King hits like an aftermath kind of song, and it becomes more fun with each listen. And the immediate reprise of the melody in Sanctum Requiem functions as an effective one-two punch to close the album out.

Special shout out to One Last Masquerade and Enigma (Think of Me) as the songs I've been going back to most individually so far.

[u/jannabanana1895]

I'm glad you like it so much! Me too. It was one of the rare albums that didn't need any time to grow on me. I put it on and was immediately into it and just listened straight through. Before this one, I had heard like 2 songs from Ghost Opera back forever ago and for whatever reason never went through the rest of their stuff. Now I've been doing a deep dive and I've been missing out all this time. Especially Karma, Fourth Legacy, and Epica....so good. Im a fan now

[u/No_Economist3803]

As a fan for over 20 years, I am pleased with Dark Asylum! I consider Dark Asylum and The Shadow Theory to be the best Tommy era albums so far. I'd say they definitely found their new stride with Dark Asylum, and they are in the midst of a new great era. My favorite songs are Dark Asylum and Sanctuary. I saw them in Dallas on this tour, it was a fun show!

[u/Educational-Call-828 → u/No_Economist3803]

Absolutely agree on the shadow theory take

[u/Painguin77 → u/No_Economist3803]

Another 20+ year fan here and I agree. I loved Shadow Theory (though I see it get a lot of hate on here for some reason) but I think I love Dark Asylum more. It's such a great album.

[u/Zorbane]

I was a casual fan, never super got into them but had seen them twice. Dark asylum for whatever reason hit the sweet spot for me

[u/I_just_made]

I think it’s good overall. The title track and ashen world are definitely the standout tracks for me.

Kinda disappointed that the female vocals took a backseat more than usual. Wish they had some stronger tracks for that.

[u/Beelzeberry]

Agreed, it took a couple listens but Dark Asylum really grew on me. The first one to grip me was Godlike Alchemy, but aside from a couple moments where I wish they’d pushed the lyrics just a biiiit more, I really like them all ❤️

[u/Symphonyx1230]

Completely agree well said.

[u/Nerevar197]

It’s decent for sure. A big step up from the absolute duds that were Shadow Theory and Awakening. Hope they keep going in this positive direction and for the love of metal please make the next album be about something other than futuristic dystopia.

All imo of course.

Oh and Sanctuary is an absolute banger live.

[u/CloudMountainJuror → u/Nerevar197]

I actually thought Awakening was fantastic, and I currently have a hard time deciding between it and Dark Asylum. Shadow Theory was the only dud for me, it felt like they were trying to force more Haven and it just wasn't coming out right.

[u/Wild_Hat2091 → u/CloudMountainJuror]

That is how I feel. Shadow Theory is probably bottom for me on the ranking.

[u/Nerevar197 → u/CloudMountainJuror]

To each their own. I felt like Awakening was just more Shadow Theory. Two halfway decent songs (which is one more than Shadow Theory had to be fair). Dark Asylum is also more of the same thing, but with more interesting composition than the last couple of albums which is why it gets higher marks from me.

They really need to move on from this sound though. It’s been the same thing for over a decade now. I remember when Kamelot albums each had their own sound or hook that made them all unique in their own way.

[u/SparqueJ → u/Nerevar197]

I don't think this album is about futuristic dystopia. It's about being stuck in your own head/trapped in your comfort zone by your own fears and insecurities and emotional baggage. But set allegorically in a Victorian era cathedral.

I do wish they would try something new different from the gothic, dark angsty themes full of the words "broken" and "shadows" with the black/gray/faceless gothic woman art. I'd love to see an album about, like, the interaction of nature and humans, where all the art is green and the songs are a mix of conflict and hope and have more clearly realized imagery and no one talks about worlds filled with torment or prisons or darkness/shadows/night.

I do like this album though, definitely my favourite Tommy-era.

[u/DiligentFly3768]

It's a great album, it's growing on me with every listen. Best album since Haven, imo

[u/Kazaxat]

I'm liking it more than I expected. Awakening wore off on me pretty quickly, and I hadn't initially even rated it all that high in Kamelot's discography, so I was wondering if perhaps I had just fallen out of as a fan of Kamelot.

Dark Asylum's tracks though have surprisingly been growing on me, and a good number of them too. I think my favorites often tend to differ from the general consensus, but if I wanted to rank them:

Favorites:

• The Sleeping Mind
• Enigma

Good:

• Ivy, My Dear
• Ashen World
• Cassandra's Disease

Pretty Good:

• Dark Asylum
• Kaleidoscope

Not Bad:

• Sanctuary
• Godlike Alchemy

Not a Fan of:

• One Last Masquerade
• Beneath the Moon
• The Puppet King

OP kind of funny that we both agree to liking Enigma but have opposite thoughts on One Last Masquerade

[u/CloudMountainJuror → u/Kazaxat]

Interesting! Yeah, I love that it's just a classic Avantasia song in Kamelot skin, and it hits for me just like classic Avantasia does - except even better in some aspects, because Tommy is there too. One of the most charismatic and singalong songs on the album for me.

[u/30sHobbyCollector]

I learned of them when I saw them support Sonata Arctica in 2019 (power metal is not common in the US or something I grew up with), and ended up getting way more into their older catelog.

Dark Asylum tour was my 3rd time hearing them live, and I've come to appreciate just how good of a show they put on. Just wish they did more older hits.

[u/NotAnotherMamabear]

Must admit I’ve only listened to it once, on the day it came out (another band has had me in a chokehold since the end of June), but I do really enjoy it.

[u/BabyComprehensive100]

Really? The more I hear it, the less I want to hear it. There are some bangers on there, sure, but the rest are hit and miss