Kamelot came out with this album, The Black Halo, earlier this year. I didn’t get the chance to get it until recently. Their last album and the first for me to get, Epica, quickly became one of those selections that I couldn’t stop listening to. So far I’ve listened to most of The Black Halo and, while not having the introductory magic of Epica, is still becoming an enjoyable listen. These are finely crafted songs that have the subtle, and not so subtle, flowing time/rhythm changes and key changes and textures that progressive rock music is known for. Both albums have a running storyline directly lifted from “Faust”, with the former album being part one and the new album as part two.

So far, the track that I’d recommend to anyone as an introduction would be “The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)”. It has a great hummable chorus that sticks with you long after you’ve stopped listening. Some reviews had this group pegged as power metal, others called them epic metal, and still others with melodic metal. I’d say they earn all three of these labels, while just being labeled as a talented group making some great music.

I hope all of you noticed my new title banner! Created in Photoshop Elements (yes, I try to do things on the cheap!) and hackified into the CSS/HTML code of the blog template, it’s the first major change I’ve done to the blog since adding the calendar. I also hope that the color scheme for the links isn’t hurting too many eyes. I just wanted things to look a little brighter, while still keeping the blog cool and dark. I also made a small button for others to use on their pages to link to this page… you can see it in the right margin.

My next project, among others, wiil be to update the Photo Gallery with new photos, particularily of one of our hikes here in AZ. As I’ve stated before, I simply don’t have enough room on the Cox servers. When I put new photos up, some old photos will be coming down.

That’s all for now… simply trying to stay up now and adjust my body for working overnight on Sunday night. Cheers!

To all of our families and friends scattered all over the US of A, we wish you all a very blessed Thanksgiving. Just make sure you know what the dressing is made from!

Ever have one of those work days where you know it’s going to be a toughie? You come in, expect the bad news you know you’re going to hear, then get thrown for a loop when the revelation is much worse? Where you try everything in your power to get things done and it seems like, just for today, the universe has a big middle finger specially reserved just for you? That was my day today.

Here’s hoping tomorrow will be a better day…

Cheers!