Kamelot Create Metal ‘Haven’ With Dragonforce at Webster Hall in New York City

Music fans gathered for two different shows outside of Webster Hall -- one for pop star Jessie J and the other for Kamelot and Dragonforce. Inside the venue guitar riffs and drums rearing to go in the Marlin Room overpowered the poppy vocal soundcheck in another part of the venue. As Jessie J fans looked on inquisitively, metal fans filed in one by one for an intimate and memorable show at the Marlin Room.

Kamelot are touring in support in their brand new album Haven but began their set with an older tune, “When the Lights Are Down,” from 2005’s The Black Halo.

They went on to play new tunes “Veil of Elysium” and their latest single “Insomnia.” With 11 studio albums and well over 20 years of music, it’s easy to see why Kamelot fans are so passionate. We spoke to founding member and guitarist Thomas Youngblood beforehand about Kamelot’s career. He stated, “Time’s flying but we feel like we’re just getting started with Tommy [Karevik] on vocals and now Haven. It’s a nice progression.” Stay tuned for our upcoming interview with full upcoming interview with Youngblood.

Special moments during the set included a hypnotizing keyboard solo provided by Oliver Palotai and percussionist Casey Grillo showed off his chops during the rumbling drum solo. The night ended with the hard hitting yet very melodic “Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)” and “March of Mephisto.”

Dragonforce took the stage beforehand and set things off with “Fury of the Storm” as well as their new track “Three Hammers” off of their latest album Maximum Overload.  The connection between band members could be seen onstage as everyone were all smiles as they cranked out favorites “Cry Thunder” and “Valley of the Damned.”

A significant part of the night was Dragonforce doing their obliterating version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” also off of their latest release Maximum Overload -- and maximum overload it was! Their set ended with the very notable fan favorite “Through the Fire and the Flames” and frontman Marc Hudson diving into the crowd and making his way back to the stage to take a bow with the rest of the members.

We're not sure what happened at the Jessie J concert but the real party was seeing Dragonforce and Kamelot over in the Marlin Room. Be on the lookout for these lads as their Stateside trek together runs through May 22 before they hit Europe for the Summer Festivals.

Check Out Photos of Kamelot and Dragonforce Performing in NYC Below:

Kamelot:

Dragonforce: