Biography 

Thomas Youngblood is the guitarist, founding member and one of the main creative forces behind the progressive/symphonic power metal band KAMELOT, founded in 1994. Besides guitar, Thomas likes playing drums and sometimes composes on keyboards. He's also the founder and director of KAMELOT's own record label, Kamelot Media Group (KMG Recordings), launched on July 2010 with distribution through E1.

Originally from Richmond Virginia, Thomas moved to Tampa Florida after losing his father at the age of 12. “After my Dad passed I moved in with my Aunt in Tampa. It was a culture shock coming from Virginia to Florida, I became a bit of a loner. My cousin ran a local music store there in Tampa and I found salvation with music and started taking lessons on guitar.” Thomas Youngblood started on the guitar at 17, taking lessons for one year from a Greek classical player who taught him the finger-picking technique. Then he decided to make his own music and started playing with some friends from the neighborhood. He met Richard Warner, with whom he shared musical tastes, and together they founded KAMELOT in Tampa, Florida in 1994.

Throughout the years, KAMELOT has proved to be one of the most unique and prestigious acts to come along in decades. They have held their very own, very special position in the world of rock and heavy music: their elaborate melodic metal has always opened itself in a remarkably clever way to like-minded styles, integrating progressive elements as well as cross-references to doom/gothic metal and classical music, which have allowed their songs to define their own genre. Two of their most successful releases in particular, namely the albums Karma (2001) and The Black Halo (2005), are prime examples of KAMELOT’s multi-layered approach, intensity and outstanding musicality. Their latest offering, Silverthorn, sees the band raise this demanding standard even higher, because Silverthorn is a real masterpiece of grand gestures, gritty melodies and haunting atmospheres. In addition, the album confidently and proudly focuses on the band’s new singer: with his debut, new addition Tommy Karevik from Sweden has proved that he suits KAMELOT perfectly in every respect. So should we be talking of a new era or even a new age in view of this new situation? No, we should simply announce that Silverthorn has KAMELOT open a new exciting chapter in their long career, with Karevik as their strongest trump card. 

Silverthorn is one of the best Kamelot albums ever, not only thanks to their Swedish vocalist’s brilliant performance, but also thanks to the artistic development of all parties involved. “For an ambitious band like us, the only target can be to get better with every album and go for new horizons,” comments main composer Thomas Youngblood, adding: Youngblood is referring to producer Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Edguy, Rhapsody), who highlights Tommy Karevik’s voice perfectly (Paeth: “Tommy is one of the best singers I’ve ever worked with”) while flawlessly capturing the band’s sonic cosmos.

The close compositional collaboration between Youngblood and keyboardist Oliver Palotai, which spawned the majority of new material, has contributed to an album which sees one important element mesh with the other, from the first note of the intro, ‘Manus Dei,’ to the last song, ‘Continuum.’ In between, KAMELOT deliver an extravaganza of exciting ideas, mix prog and power metal on the driving ‘Sacrimony (Angel Of Afterlife)’ and the subsequent ‘Ashes To Ashes,’ deliver anthemnic choruses on ‘Torn’ and ‘Falling Like The Fahrenheit’ and rely on the perfect interplay between Karevik and Palotai on the ballad ‘Song For Jolee’. The band was supported at the studio by guest musicians Elize Ryd, Eklipse, Alissa White-Gluz (The Agonist) and Amanda Somerville, among others.

And last but by no means least, there’s the album’s compelling lyrical concept. Youngblood: “It’s the story of a young girl who dies in the arms of her two twin brothers, taking the three siblings’ big secret to her grave. The songs on Silverthorn talk about despair, a sense of guilt and the pursuit of truth. In this context, the silver thorn in the album title has a mysterious meaning, but it’s up to the listener to unveil this secret”.

So there’s a lot to be discovered, musically as well as lyrically. You have to listen to this album, whether you’re a Kamelot fan or generally a devotee of intelligent melodic metal, because the multi-layered songs and the album’s lyrical concept have entered a haunting liaison on Silverthorn. Visit www.kamelot.com for more info about KAMELOT's new masterpiece!


While building his band and his own songwriting skills, Thomas worked in product management and operations for apparel companies like Vanity Fair and Kappa. Working in the business world taught Thomas the necessary skills to deal with touring, record companies and also contracts. He remains a consultant for the industry and is the main force behind the apparel line for KAMELOT.
Thomas Youngblood has co-written and released 11 full albums with KAMELOT and appeared as special guest artist on several more. He has toured nearly every continent over the past 12 years and continues to grow with his band and his unique style of playing.

Date of Birth: May 29th, Gemini
Height: 5'11" /180cm
Eye-color: Blue-green
Hair-color: Dark brown

Films: The Lord of the Rings, The Sound of Music, Fight Club, too many...
Books: DaVinci Code, Faust, Grisham novels.
Actors/Actresses: De Niro, Portman, Christian Bale.
Sports: Football, Tennis, Golf.
Food: Italian, Chinese/Thai, Cuban.
Drinks: Water, Wine, Coke, Brewski's.
Dislikes: Smoking!! Ignorance, Arrogance.
Hobbies: Not much time for hobbies! Computers and Design.

Equipment

ESP Horizon II
ESP Eclipse Vintage Black
ESP Custom Eclipse
ESP Eclipse-II VB
ESP Viper
ESP Horizon
ESP Horizon NT
ESP Custom Eclipse Black Halo
Jackson Soloist
LAG Nylon 314NCE
Peavey Cabinets JSX
Peavey JSX Cabs
Ampeg VH-140C Amps
Boss Pedals
TKL Cases
GP In Tune Picks
M-Audio Interfaces and Controllers
Elixir Strings and Cables
Shure Wireless System



FAQ

When did you decide to play in a band?
At 17 years old I started playing with some friends from the neighborhood. I met the old drummer Richard through one of my friends Les Dave Alvarez, and he had a drum kit. We both liked Maiden, Priest, RUSH etc. So we later formed Kamelot.

What music background do you have?
I played saxophone in Junior High School. I have no idea why I thought of the sax at age 13. Started relatively late at 17 on the guitar. I took lessons for one year and decided to start making my own music. The lessons were from a Greek classical player who taught the fingerpicking technique.

Do you play any other instruments?
I like to play drums and write a lot with the keyboards. I love the sound of great piano pieces. One of my goals is to learn the piano better.

Where do your inspirations come from?
So many I guess, but lately I listen to New Age music from Enya to Yanni and Celtic and Spanish music like Strunz and Farrar. Cirque du Soleil!! I also really liked Michael Schenker's Assault Attack and Malmsteen's Rising Force. Hans Zimmer and film score music too!

Which was the best concert you played?
So many great ones...Oslo and Holland in 2012 was pretty Epic. Also the show with Iron Maiden in Buenos Aires.

....the worst?
Ha, we played a show at a YMCA type place in Karlsruhe, Germany, a few years ago. There was no PA, no lights. The only good thing was a basketball hoop outside where we played some basketball games with crew.

Which country would you like to visit (again)?
I would like to see more of Spain. We didn't get a chance to really see the different places there.

Which country would you like to tour (again)?
Japan again! I love the culture there.

Which was the first CD you ever bought?
Wow, I guess it was Queensryche's EP. I can't remember. I think the first CD was Alcatrazz. I was totally hooked on Malmsteen's playing and still think some of his best solos are on the No Parole album.

....the last CD?
Skillet - Live

What are your all-time favorite albums?
Queen - More than one!
Malmsteen - Rising Force
Saigon Kick - Saigon Kick
Cirque Du Soleil - Alegria
Schenker - Assault Attack
Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime
But there are so many more!

Updated February 2013