Kamelot's official fanclub recently caught up with guitarist Thomas Youngblood to discuss the band's highly anticipated new album, Haven. An excerpt from the interview is available below:

Q: How would you describe Haven? How has the band’s sound evolved on this album?

Thomas: "We have some new elements that will please even the hardest Kamelot fan. We’ve worked like crazy on every element of the songs and album. My personal opinion is that the new album is a mix of modern, Fourth Legacy and Black Halo-ish. The guitar is a bit more present in the mix and we have some prog elements here and there. Really a big mix of Kamelot this time. You can’t play one song and base the whole album on it, it’s really diverse. Also, the ballad with Charlotte from Delain and Troy from Nightwish is a real killer. I hope we make a video of this one at some point."

Q: Guests on this album are Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Charlotte Wessels (Delain) and Troy Donockley (Nightwish). Can you tell us more about these collaborations?

Thomas: "Well, let me start with Alissa White-Gluz. She toured with us for a while and I remember to the day seeing her with her previous band and thinking, 'This girl is amazing, she will and should be more known.' After getting the call from Arch Enemy, no one was happier or prouder than me. Anyway, we had some songs that fit her style perfect and she graciously accepted the invite. We toured with Delain a few times and I always felt like Charlotte had a unique and special voice, so when the song 'Under Grey Skies' was written I asked her to join in, and she sounds awesome! Then there is Troy Donockley, this is one special and cool human. He has many skills that most people are not aware of, I am sworn to secrecy but we toured with Nightwish and I would see him occasionally watching the Kamelot set from side stage. When the idea came up for a folk style instrument I contacted Troy, and he offered his part on the Overton Low Whistle. One of the best Kamelot ballads in recent times is 'Under Grey Skies'."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Gearing up for the release of Haven, Kamelot previously released a short audio teaser, streaming below:

Kamelot return after two years of touring the globe and 12 months of intense writing and recording. In mid-2014 the band entered the studio to begin recording their follow-up to the chart topping album, Silverthorn. The new album, titled Haven, will make Kamelot history as it will be released worldwide (excl. Asia) on Napalm Records/Universal and Napalm Records/ADA/Warner as an exclusive licensing deal through the band's Kamelot Music LLC on May 5th (North America) and May 8th (Europe and rest of the world) and will showcase Kamelot at their finest.

Haven is available to pre-order in multiple exclusive and limited bundle packages at the Napalm Records American and European Webstore now.

It's time to step into the cinematic, epic and emotionally dynamic world of Haven. The new album features all the signature elements of Kamelot but the band steps out to add new and modern elements along with bringing some amazing emotions that harken to the band's earlier days. Kamelot’s artsy music is chock full of symbolism relating to how the band feels about the world and the current state of civilization.

"The Haven album has an undertone of a world going insane. There is a grey cloud that is forming over our world. We are here to find that silver lining with an album that is both dark and melancholy yet uplifting and giving the listener a Haven in a world gone mad. We are really proud of the song elements and diversity on Haven” adds guitarist Thomas Youngblood. “The songs run the gambit of dark and melancholy to uplifting and melodic elements.” states vocalist Tommy Karevik.

"Haven has an aggressive edge to it that is the representation of the band as The Revolutionary Change in the storyline," Kamelot's Oliver Palotai tells us.

Produced by acclaimed music producer Sascha Paeth and mastered by Jacob Hansen, Haven is a massive album that is sure to please critics and fans alike. Additional guests include Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy), Troy Donockley (Nightwish) and Charlotte Wessels (Delain). The cover and artwork was created by Stefan Heilemann and additional art/layout was done by Gustavo Sazes.

Tracklisting:

“Fallen Star”
“Insomnia”
“Citizen Zero”
“Veil Of Elysium”
“Under Grey Skies”
“My Therapy”
“Ecclesia”
“End Of Innocence”
“Beautiful Apocalypse”
“Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy)”
“Here's To The Fall”
“Revolution”
“Haven”

Exclusive bonus CD tracklisting (Limited Mediabook and Deluxe Earbook):

“End Of Innocence” Piano Version

“Veil Of Elysium” Acoustic Version

“Fallen Star” Orchestral Version

“Here's To The Fall” Orchestral Version

“My Therapy” Orchestral Version

“Fallen Star” Instrumental

“Insomnia” Instrumental

“Citizen Zero” Instrumental

“Veil Of Elysium” Instrumental

“Under Grey Skies” Instrumental

“My Therapy” Instrumental

“End Of Innocence” Instrumental

“Beautiful Apocalypse” Instrumental

“Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy)” Instrumental

“Revolution” Instrumental

Studio preview: