KAMELOT ft. Alissa White-Gluz and Elize Ryd – Sacrimony (Official Live Video)

A Monumental Night at 013

Kamelot document a defining chapter in their modern era with I Am The Empire – Live From The 013, released via Napalm Records on August 14, 2020. Recorded at the legendary 013 Poppodium in Tilburg, Netherlands, the album and accompanying visual editions capture the band in full symphonic flight. Across twenty-one songs and more than 100 minutes, the performance balances dramatic orchestration with steel-edged riffing, presenting the meticulous precision and emotional sweep that have made Kamelot a cornerstone of symphonic and power metal.

The concert is elevated by a slate of special guests, including Alissa White-Gluz, Elize Ryd, Charlotte Wessels, Lauren Hart, the string ensemble Eklipse, and longtime collaborator Sascha Paeth. The result is a widescreen production that places the band’s cinematic songwriting in an expansive live setting, with added textures, vocal counterpoint, and a heightened sense of narrative momentum.

“Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)” Takes Center Stage

Among the show’s standout moments, the newly released official live video for Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife) serves as a focal point. Originally appearing on the 2012 album Silverthorn, the song marked the arrival of vocalist Tommy Karevik and signaled a refreshed creative direction. Performed here with Alissa White-Gluz and Elize Ryd, it crystallizes the band’s approach to contrast, melody, and scale.

Tommy Karevik reflects on the song’s significance: “We can now proudly announce that the first video to be released from the show will be ‘Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)’. The song marks the beginning of a new era as it was one of the main songs on Silverthorn, the first KAMELOT album with me as the singer. Enjoy!”

Voices in Contrast, Power in Unity

This rendition of Sacrimony thrives on vocal interplay. Karevik’s commanding lead carries the central melody with clarity and control, while Elize Ryd’s soaring lines add luminescent harmonies that heighten the chorus and bridge. Alissa White-Gluz’s searing growls introduce a darker edge, amplifying the tension and release that guide the arrangement. The three voices move between call-and-response, layered harmonies, and dramatic punctuations, transforming the stage into a multi-perspective narrative. It is a textbook example of how symphonic metal can weave extreme and melodic elements into a cohesive, emotionally resonant whole.

Arrangements, Atmosphere, and Execution

Kamelot’s instrumental core is both architectural and immediate. Thomas Youngblood’s guitars switch fluidly between chiseled rhythmic figures and lyrical leads, pushing the song forward while leaving space for the vocals to ignite. Oliver Palotai’s keyboards are the connective tissue, supplying orchestral voicings, choirs, and cinematic pads that expand the harmonic field without overwhelming the band’s attack. Sean Tibbetts underpins the grandeur with a muscular, articulate bass presence, locking tightly with Alex Landenburg’s crisp, dynamic drumming. The groove breathes and surges, giving each section distinct impact.

Live, the orchestral dimension broadens further. The presence of Eklipse enriches the midrange with organic strings, reinforcing the score-like quality that has become a Kamelot hallmark. The arrangement accentuates tension, building from ominous motifs into towering refrains, then receding into atmospheric passages that frame the final climactic ascent.

Captured With Precision

The concert’s visual storytelling and audio fidelity match the scale of the performance. Directed and produced by Jens De Vos for Panda Productions, the video embraces dynamic cuts and sweeping angles that track the ebb and flow of the music without sacrificing clarity. The staging at 013, renowned for its acoustics and sightlines, helps translate nuance as well as power.

On the sonic side, the mix and master by Sascha Paeth balance density and definition. Choirs, strings, and synths remain intelligible alongside double-kick patterns and downpicked riffs, while the vocals sit forward without crowding the instrumentation. It is a mix tailored to symphonic metal’s layered architecture, delivering punch and detail in equal measure.

The Live Release in Focus

I Am The Empire – Live From The 013 is presented across album, DVD, and BluRay formats. Beyond the full concert, the release includes exclusive extras, such as backstage interviews with guest performers, band members, and fans. The additional material contextualizes the chemistry onstage and highlights the collaborative spirit that has long been integral to Kamelot’s live identity.

Context Within the Kamelot Catalog

Sacrimony’s placement in the setlist underscores Silverthorn’s lasting influence on the band’s trajectory. The album ushered in a period defined by renewed melodic focus, intricate arrangements, and a broadening vocal palette. In Tilburg, that material is revisited with confidence and expanded by the contributions of guest artists, reaffirming how Kamelot’s catalog functions as both repertoire and living theater in the live arena.

Why This Performance Resonates

Symphonic metal often lives or dies by how convincingly it translates to the stage. This performance of Sacrimony shows Kamelot operating at a level where ambition meets execution. The song’s structure invites multiple voices and timbres, and the band leverages that design to dramatic effect, turning a studio cornerstone into a communal, high-impact moment. For longtime fans, it is a validation of the group’s evolution. For newcomers, it is an accessible entry point into a catalog that prizes melody, narrative, and precision in equal measure.

Credits and Lineup

Produced by: Jens De Vos / Panda Productions
Mixed and Mastered by: Sascha Paeth

Tommy Karevik – Vocals
Thomas Youngblood – Guitars
Oliver Palotai – Keyboards
Sean Tibbetts – Bass
Alex Landenburg – Drums