Hi, Phil Aston here from Now Spinning Magazine, and this time we’re diving into a slice of ‘90s symphonic melodic metal with a brand new box set from BMG Records. This is Ascension 1995–1998, a beautifully presented 5LP (or 3CD) set that gathers Kamelot’s long out-of-print first three albums – Eternity (1995), Dominion (1996), and Siege Perilous (1998).
These early works have been newly remastered and, for the very first time, are available on vinyl. Alongside the music, the set includes unreleased bonus demo tracks, a large fold-out poster, and a superb 20-page booklet featuring detailed essays, photos, and input from the band themselves.
What’s Inside the Box
Eternity (1995) – 2LP smoky purple vinyl, gatefold with full lyrics.
Dominion (1996) – 1LP blue splatter vinyl, also with gatefold lyrics.
Siege Perilous (1998) – 2LP grey/black splatter vinyl, again presented with lyrics and artwork.
The packaging is first-class. The inclusion of the full-sized booklet is a huge plus – something I wish all reissue box sets included. It places the music in its proper context, giving fans both old and new a sense of the band’s story and evolution.
Kamelot in the Mid-‘90s
When these albums first came out, the music scene was dominated by grunge and nu-metal, with classic melodic rock and power metal pushed to the margins. For many fans outside of mainland Europe, discovering a band like
Kamelot in the ‘90s wasn’t easy.
Listening back now, you can hear the band carving out their identity. There are shades of Queensrÿche, Iron Maiden, Savatage, and Nevermore – but already you sense Kamelot’s ambition to create something bigger and more symphonic.
Eternity remains my personal favourite of the three – you can hear the roots of what would become the “Kamelot sound.” Dominion shows a band gaining confidence, while Siege Perilous represents a turning point as vocalist Roy Khan joined the line-up, leading to their breakthrough with The Fourth Legacy in 1999.
After Ascension – The Rise of Kamelot
Following Siege Perilous, Kamelot entered their most successful period, recording a string of acclaimed albums that defined the symphonic/power metal genre. The Fourth Legacy (1999) broke them across Europe, while albums like Karma (2001), Epica (2003), and The Black Halo (2005) established them as one of the leading forces in melodic metal.
Even after lineup changes – including the departure of Roy Khan in 2011 – Kamelot have continued to thrive, with Tommy Karevik taking over on vocals and the band exploring ever more ambitious symphonic arrangements. As I record this review, they are preparing to enter the studio to work on their 14th album – a remarkable achievement that speaks to their resilience and creative drive.
Final Thoughts
This is a fascinating document of how one of the most respected symphonic metal bands began. If you missed these albums the first time round, like I did, Ascension is the perfect way to discover them. If you’re already a fan, this is a chance to own these early works in the best possible quality, beautifully presented on vinyl or CD.
BMG have done a fantastic job here – the sound is excellent, the presentation is top-notch, and the inclusion of the band’s story in the booklet makes this far more than just a collection of records.
For me, it’s opened the door to a whole era of music I overlooked at the time, and I’ll be spending a lot more time with the Kamelot back catalogue.
Kamelot – Ascension 1995–1998 is out now on both vinyl and CD.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
