Kamelot
W/Visions Of Atlantis, Frozen Crown
September 8th, 2026
Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
On September 8, the Neptune Theatre stage transformed from a pirate ship into a gothic castle, setting the scene for an unforgettable night of symphonic metal.
Frozen Crown, the Italian power metal band, kicked things off with a performance that was equally enjoyable to listen to and photograph.
The chemistry between Frozen Crown's members was evident throughout the set. One recurring moment saw guitarist Federico passing his right arm behind Giada's knee while continuing to play, a playful bit of stage choreography that highlighted the band's connection and a moment that was fun to photograph.
Despite touring without a bassist, Frozen Crown maintained a full and powerful sound. Through exchanges of riffs and solos, guitarists Federico Mondelli, Alessia Lanzone, and Alexandra Lioness filled the space typically occupied by a bass guitar.
Their performance remained tightly locked in with drummer Niso Tomasini, whose relentless double-bass work helped keep the band's sound full and powerful throughout the set.
Frozen Crown's Seattle appearance comes just weeks before the release of their sixth album, The Legends of the Six Kings, due out October 2. In anticipation of the release, the band has already unveiled three singles. From the album artwork to several song titles, the record evokes imagery reminiscent of Tolkien's Nazgûl and the fallen kings of Middle-earth.
The Neptune Theatre stage was transformed into the deck of a pirate ship, complete with portholes, barrels of grog and, front and center, a treasure chest. Fronted by Clémentine Delauney and Michele Guaitoli, Visions of Atlantis fully embraced their pirate-inspired identity through detailed costumes and coordinated stage movements.
Many of the photos I took during their set show them locking arms and striking power poses that reinforced the theatrical nature of their performance.
Through their set, the energy of the performance was palpable, blending the expected elements of symphonic metal with unexpected turns. On their song "Tonight I'm Alive," we were taken on a journey of powerful riffs, pounding double bass and, unexpectedly, Reggaeton-infused rhythms. Rather than headbanging through the heavier passages, Delauney and Guaitoli danced loosely to the Reggaeton groove, drawing cheers from the crowd as fans enthusiastically followed along.
As the pirate ship disappeared, the Neptune Theatre was transformed once again, this time into a gothic castle. Candles, stone columns, and paintings depicting mysterious portals framed the stage, while a throne occupied the center as its focal point. Positioned before towering organ pipes, Oliver Palotai's keyboard station became a natural extension of the castle aesthetic.
Kamelot's North American tour is in support of their latest album, Dark Asylum. Songs from this release took center stage throughout the evening alongside many of the band's longtime classics.
An important aspect about Kamelot is how dynamic they are, both in their performance and in their stage presence. Drummer Alex Landenburg performed behind an unusual rack that framed his drum kit. At the top, two crashes were mounted in an unconventional position, adding another dramatic visual element to his setup.
At one point during the show, keyboardist Oliver Palotai picked up a keytar and joined guitarist Thomas Youngblood and bassist Sean Tibbetts at the front of the stage. The three traded solos and headbanged along to the music in an energetic exchange that drew a strong reaction from the crowd.
After an instrumental break, Tommy reappeared on stage, his face mostly concealed beneath a long hood, adding a sense of drama as he took his place on the throne at the top center of the stage. Soon after, Clémentine joined him, wearing a beautiful black dress complemented by a gothic-inspired headdress. The crowd filled with anticipation as they began to sing along to "Sanctuary" from Kamelot's most recent album, Dark Asylum. As the song intensified, Giada joined them on stage, providing the characteristic growls that add another dimension to the song.
As silence filled the stage in preparation for the next song, two drums appeared at either side of the stage. For those of us familiar with Kamelot's music, this could only mean one thing: "March of Mephisto" was about to begin. Alessia Lanzone and Alexandra Lioness, both guitarists from Frozen Crown, appeared on stage with their faces mostly concealed. In unison, and to the cheers of the crowd, they began to play the song's iconic marching intro.
From Frozen Crown's powerful opening set, to the pirate adventures of Visions of Atlantis, and finally Kamelot's theatrical performance, the evening was a reminder of why live music remains such a powerful experience. If this tour is coming to a city near you, do yourself a favor and grab a ticket. Most importantly, support your local venues, support your favorite artists, and help keep live music alive!
