Founded by multi-instrumentalist Thomas Youngblood, the band has endured numerous lineup changes throughout its existence, with Youngblood serving as the sole consistent member (Norwegian vocalist Roy Sætre Khantatat, better known as Roy Khan, had the second longest tenure, serving as frontman and co-writer from 1997 to 2011). Kamelot issued its debut album, Eternity, via Noise Records in 1995, and stayed with the label through its next five offerings, Dominion (1997), Siége Perilous (1998), The Fourth Legacy (1999), Karma (2001), and Epica (2003), before inking a deal with the Sony-distributed German independent SPV/Steamhammer for their seventh long-player The Black Halo. 2007's Ghost Opera found its way into the Billboard Top 200 via the Top Heatseekers chart, while 2010's Poetry for the Poisoned and 2012's ambitious Silverthorn and 2015's epic Haven helped to firmly establish the band as one of contemporary power metal's most enduring acts. ~ James Christopher Monger