Epica - The Quantum Enigma (Nuclear Blast)
_-_Epica.jpg)
For me this was a surprise pick from 2014. I always thought of Epica as a one-trick pony - and with a lame trick too! In the beginning of the last decade with the unexpected success of Nightwish as well as the precedent of Theater of Tragedy, a new wave of female-fronted bands with "angelic" female vocals started to pop-up around the power/melodic metal scene, especially in Europe. Enter Epica, with Simone Simmons as their front-woman who gained fame on the back of her looks as well as cameos in some big hits from the much better known and far more talented metal act Kamelot. Since then more than ten years have passed and this latest offering from Epica could not be more different from what I just described. The music is orchestral and epic. The album is full of inspiration and catchy tunes that are at the same time intimate and grandiose. It feels that Epica have finally grown to a version of themselves that is deserving of their name. I think this is their best album to date by far and it has to be listened to, to be believed that this is from the same band. If you are a fan of epic choral bands like Therion, this is one of the top releases of 2014.
92/100
Below is a music video, for the album track "Victims of Contigency"
For me this was a surprise pick from 2014. I always thought of Epica as a one-trick pony - and with a lame trick too! In the beginning of the last decade with the unexpected success of Nightwish as well as the precedent of Theater of Tragedy, a new wave of female-fronted bands with "angelic" female vocals started to pop-up around the power/melodic metal scene, especially in Europe. Enter Epica, with Simone Simmons as their front-woman who gained fame on the back of her looks as well as cameos in some big hits from the much better known and far more talented metal act Kamelot. Since then more than ten years have passed and this latest offering from Epica could not be more different from what I just described. The music is orchestral and epic. The album is full of inspiration and catchy tunes that are at the same time intimate and grandiose. It feels that Epica have finally grown to a version of themselves that is deserving of their name. I think this is their best album to date by far and it has to be listened to, to be believed that this is from the same band. If you are a fan of epic choral bands like Therion, this is one of the top releases of 2014.92/100
Below is a music video, for the album track "Victims of Contigency"
No comments:
Post a Comment