KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood is featured in a new interview with Kamelot.com. An excerpt from the discussion is available below.

Q: Kamelot set a new standard in the metal scene. Which factors do you think have been important to make this possible?

TY: "Originality is foremost. Also trying to develop new ideas and sounds within the structure of the band. We work very hard on this, trying to avoid repeating something we have done in the past as well as making something that will stand the test of time. The same goes into the artwork and touring. Our live show now is very dynamic and we like to take the fans to another place at the concerts. We include the fans as much as possible into the show and when we are all clicking its very special. Also having a new guy like Sean has fueled all of us even more on stage, he is bringing a fresh and hungry attitude to the band and it shows in all the gigs. He is a beast on stage and we have a battle everynight to kick each others ass live. Haha!"

Q: We know you have a special dedication to your fans. How important is their passion for Kamelot? Most bands want to make money and they don't listen to their fans…

TY: "Money is the last thing we are thinking about with the fans. For me it's 100% dedication to the art and performance of the songs. The songs, the songs. Our fans are foremost in the mind with all the preparations for touring and planning things like meet and greets etc. I meet so many fans on tour, they inspire me more than anything else to do my best on stage and make them proud to wear a Kamelot tee shirt. Its like a massive family that is around the globe."

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Kamelot will embark on its first North American tour in two years, starting September 8th. Support on the trek will come from LEAVES’ EYES and BLACKGUARD. Dates are as follows:

September

8 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
10 - Atlanta, GA - Progpower USA
11 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx Nightclub
14 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
15 - New York, NY - Nokia Theatre
17 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
18 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda
19 - Toronto, ON - The Opera House
21 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
22 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
24 - Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium
25 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
27 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
29 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's

October

1 - West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues (Sunset Strip)
2 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues (San Diego)