Analysis of Kamelot's Karma Part 1/4

    In our modern dialogue, the mythic force of karma relates to the array of consequences that are naturally produced from our individual decisions. We love to denote certain decisions as issuing good or bad karma. Many times, we use karma as a way of describing fate's natural counteraction to the  type of karma unleashed. Good Karma is accompanied with good karma that will help us to yield good fortune while bad karma in effect brings bad fortune. In Star Wars, the "force" replaces the word "karma "and acts very similarly in that universe. Anakin's  turbulent emotional state causes him to react with fear that withers down to anger. By the end, an overbearing amount of bad force accumulates within his spirit and causes Anakin to fully respond to the whatever scenario is before him with corrupt reasoning which causes him to make that climatic decision that finally causes him to surrender to the bad side. He essentially is imbued with bad karma that progressively causes his downfall. By the end, Anakin can only return to the light side by deciding to sacrifice his entire life to spare another. Thus, he can finally purge his spirit of the essence of the dark side and can once again be reacquainted with the essence of the light side.

How does this relate to Kamelot's album: Karma? "Regalis Apertura," the first instrumental track of the album does not even match the former paragraph's explanation of karma. First off, first tracks can be rather misleading as they establish the mood. Kamelot's first track on the album is deceptively regal. Many listeners might even envisage a group of courtly men conversing over the affairs of a kingdom within a sumptuously decorated room. Or, we could even see within our minds: a drawbridge dropping down from the front section  of the castle. The implication of the dropping drawbridge is that any guests that are waiting to enter are freely welcomed. Anyways, Kamelot might have just chose this epic track that is common within most symphonic album since it invokes a bombastic feeling that practically defines the symphonic metal genre.

Yet, the next song,"Forever," delves deeply into the mind of some unidentifiable figure. We can fathom that its probably a man since romantic songs within Kamelot's discography is always sung by a man who was once smitten with a departed female lover. In the first verse alone, every line depicts the different types of emptiness and bareness that this character finds in their soul without the edifying light of their female lover. If we think in terms of philosophical themes, the famous medieval work Consolation of Philosophy  by Boethius features a disillusioned mortal who feels trapped within the dark state of their minds. A certain "Lady of Philosophy," helps this weary mortal recapture his sense of significance by relying on the soothing light of philosophy and reason. Perhaps, the meaning that this song evokes is the inevitable corrosion of this man's soul without the consolation that his female lover once offered. She conveys his life and forgave him for what he has done. Within Boethius's work, Lady Philosophy explains the purpose of the life of the mortal man and forgives him of his transgressions because he did not have the ability to discern the most ethical decision due to the darkness of his soul.

Strangely, we are shown the extent of this disillusionment with the world within "Wings of Despair." In the Biblical story of Noah's Ark, the dove becomes the symbol of hope that leads Noah out of the darkness of the Ark or soul. Within this song, the wearied heart of this mortal man does not need to be suppressed by the hopelessness of his despair. Similar to Noah, he can climb out of the abyss of his soul and be resurrected by the acceptance of his past sins and the hope that the lessons he learned from his exile from life will cause him to be more selfless. Importantly, the Noah's Ark story tells of a man who prides himself on being the elect person of God. When in actuality, his negligence of the worthiness of other humans haunts him and makes him live an insular life where there is no joy. Similarly, the man within "Wings of Despair," clings to hope that the darkness that makes his soul tremble will come to pass. One day, it might even cause him to transcend and live a more virtuous life after throughly becoming tired of the his former selfishness.

Next post, I'll be discussing The Spell, Karma, and The Light I shine on You.