Power Metal veterans KAMELOT are set to release their new album entitled Dark Asylum on August 28th. KAMELOT’s guitarist Thomas Youngblood spoke with Metal Express Radio about the upcoming album, production for KAMELOT’s upcoming tour, KAMELOT approaching 40 years as a band, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: KAMELOT is set to release their new album entitled Dark Asylum on August 28th. What can you tell fans about the upcoming release?
Youngblood: I think Dark Asylum is one of the most complete albums we’ve ever made. It has all the elements that people have come to expect from KAMELOT, the cinematic orchestration, the heavy riffs, the melodic choruses, and the emotional moments, but it also explores some new territory. The album tells a story set within RavenHill Asylum, which was once a grand cathedral. It follows a psychological journey through identity, manipulation, fear, and ultimately redemption. Musically it moves from aggressive symphonic metal to intimate ballads and even an Icelandic folk inspired piece. We wanted the album to feel like an experience from beginning to end.
MER: How was the writing and recording process, being your fourteenth album?
Youngblood: Every album presents new challenges because you never want to repeat yourself. After fourteen albums, the biggest challenge is finding ways to stay inspired while still sounding like KAMELOT. We spent a lot of time refining the songs before recording, making sure every track earned its place on the album. Working with Sascha Paeth again gave us a great creative environment where ideas could evolve naturally. I think experience allows us to trust our instincts more, but we’re still pushing ourselves creatively every time.
MER: How was it bringing in the special guests on Dark Asylum such as Ignacia Fernandez of Decessus, Lea Sophie Fischer of Eluveitie, and Tobias Sammet of Edguy?
Youngblood: One of the fun parts of making an album like this is finding the right voices and musicians to help tell the story. Ignacia brought an incredible emotional intensity to the songs she appears on, we’ve known her for nearly 10 years actually. Lea Sophie’s violin performance added a beautiful organic layer that fit perfectly with the Icelandic inspired piece. Tobias has been a friend for many years, and his voice was exactly what we imagined for “One Last Masquerade.” None of the guest appearances were there just to have famous names. Every guest serves the story and the atmosphere of the album.
MER: You’ve released a video for the song “Ashen World.” How was it putting together the video?
Youngblood: It was probably one of the most ambitious videos we’ve ever made. We filmed in Serbia, that became the setting for RavenHill Asylum. We wanted it to feel cinematic rather than just a performance video. There are characters, symbolism, and a narrative that ties directly into the album concept. The atmosphere was just as important as the music, and I think the finished video really captures the mood of Dark Asylum. iCode team is amazing at bringing in actors and all the parts to fulfill our imagination.
MER: Do you feel the title Dark Asylum represents the album’s theme well?
Youngblood: Absolutely. The asylum isn’t just a physical place. It’s really a metaphor for the mind. Everyone has moments where they struggle with doubt, fear, or questions about who they are. The album explores those ideas through a gothic story, but underneath it’s really about transformation and finding your way out of darkness. I think the title captures that perfectly.
MER: Would you see the concept of Dark Asylum continuing with KAMELOT’s future work?
Youngblood: It’s possible, but we never like to lock ourselves into one direction. Every album should stand on its own. There are certainly characters and ideas within Dark Asylum that could be explored further, but right now we’re focused on letting this story have its own identity. We’ll see where inspiration takes us next.
MER: How would you compare Dark Asylum to KAMELOT’s previous albums?
Youngblood: I think it combines many different eras of KAMELOT into one album. Fans of The Black Halo, Ghost Opera, Silverthorn, and The Awakening will all hear something familiar, but there are also completely new elements. It’s heavy when it needs to be, cinematic when it needs to be, and emotionally driven throughout. It feels like a natural evolution rather than a reinvention. I wanted to bring some gothic elements back, fold/new age as well as expanding our evolutionary sound and mindset.
MER: Do you see your upcoming live show mirroring the theme of Dark Asylum?
Youngblood: Definitely. We wanted the stage production to feel like you’ve stepped inside RavenHill Asylum. The visuals, lighting, stage design, and video content all support the atmosphere of the album. We aren’t trying to recreate the record exactly, but we want the audience to feel immersed in that world while still delivering the energy people expect from a KAMELOT show.
MER: If there were to be a movie based off Dark Asylum, who could you see directing it and why?
Youngblood: Guillermo del Toro would be an amazing choice because he has a unique way of blending beauty with darkness and creating emotional fantasy worlds. I also love the atmosphere Tim Burton brings to gothic storytelling. Both directors understand how visual style can support deeper emotional themes, which fits Dark Asylum really well.
MER: Out of KAMELOT’s fourteen albums, what is one you would suggest to a new fan and why?
Youngblood: That’s a tough one because every KAMELOT album represents a different chapter of the band’s evolution. Rather than picking just one, I’d say it depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to hear where KAMELOT is today, then Dark Asylum is the perfect place to start because it brings together so many elements from our history while pushing into new territory. If that album connects with you, then it’s really fun to go back and discover records like The Black Halo, Ghost Opera, Silverthorn, and The Awakening to hear how the band’s sound has evolved over the years. I think that’s part of the experience, finding the album that speaks to you personally.
MER: KAMELOT is approaching forty years as a band. What would you say is the key to the band’s longevity?
Youngblood: I think it’s a combination of always wanting to grow creatively while respecting what made people connect with the band in the first place. We’ve never chased trends. We’ve always tried to write music that feels honest to us. Having great musicians around me, working with talented people like Sascha Paeth, and most importantly having incredibly loyal fans around the world has allowed KAMELOT to keep evolving. We’re grateful that people continue to take this journey with us after all these years.
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