I absolutely love Epica. Their brand of theatrical, orchestral symphonic metal is captivating, and I have been eagerly awaiting a follow-up to 2021’s amazing “Omega.” Earlier this month, Epica released their latest opus, “Aspiral,” and it has been difficult to stop listening to it. It features 11 tracks of bombastic symphonic metal, with tinges of death, prog, power, and an overarching cinematic feel. This is everything you could want from a symphonic metal album and clearly showcases why Epica is on the Mount Rushmore of Symphonic Metal.

Simone Simons’ vocals are in top form, bringing a unique blend of operatic fidelity, angelic beauty, and in your face directness that is rare. Mark Jansen’s death growls are used more heavily on this album and work super well, weaving perfectly into each song composition while also complementing Simons’ vocals in the perfect use of the beauty and beast dynamic. The guitars are heavy, with plenty of chugging and hefty riffing along with technical guitar solos. The bass is both pounding and deft, and the drumming is terrific, taking on many forms throughout, balancing both the melodic and heavy sections perfectly, particularly when the song transitions into a breakdown or speedy death metal section. The orchestration and choir sections are breathtaking, adding the right level of depth and atmosphere while never feeling tacked on, raising the compositions to a new level. Each song is a cinematic movement that is a masterful sum of its parts, taking you on a journey that is unpredictable and yet familiar. There is lots to sing along to, plenty of headbanging, and continual opportunities to just sit back and marvel in awe at the musical presentation entering your ears. The result is an album I have been unable to stop playing front to back, so much so I went out of my way to go see them in NYC next week (flying from Seattle) for one of their 3 US dates to support the release of “Aspiral.”

The album opens with the earworm galloper “Cross the Divide,” with its unforgettable melody and fabulous blend of symphonics and power metal. “Arcana” gives off “The Skeleton Key” vibes with its haunting orchestration and choir and massive chorus, and that ending is just epic! Proggy opus “Darkness Dies in Light” has a movie soundtrack quality to it, a nice beauty and the beast dynamic, great use of tempo and dynamic contrast, and some killer lead work. “Obsidian Heart” has a darker doomy symphonic goth feel, with haunting vocals from Simone. “Fight To Survive – The Overview Effect” livens the pace back up with a brighter feel, until the most epic orchestral breakdown sombers things a bit before an amazing guitar solo and big finish.

6th track and personal favorite “Metanoia” slowly builds with gorgeous strings and choir, developing into a symphonic metal assault that showcases every element of Epica’s genius in bombastic fashion, with incredible orchestration, gorgeous melodies, in your face heavy, and amazing song composition. “T.I.M.E.” is the album’s shortest track but packs a lot, from the crazy cinematic beginning, to the bombastic orchestral chorus, to the general over the top creepy feel, to the complementary operatic and harsh vocals. “Apparition” starts industrial-like before settling into a great duel of symphonic melody and brutality that will induce serious headbanging, and wow the big guitar solo! “Eye of the Storm” is one of the heavier faster songs on the album, with a more symphonic power meets melodeath feel. “The Grand Saga of Existence” is a symphonic progressive adventure, myriad layers converging to a cohesive whole of epic twists and turns that is oh so satisfying, with plenty of theatrical operatic sensibility that even briefly turns into a symphonic blackened death metal assault. The album closes with the title track, the only true ballad, oozing with emotion.

If you are a fan of Epica, symphonic metal, or just intelligent song writing that will simultaneously challenge and please your ears, you should listen to Aspiral ASAP!

Original Instagram review Part 1
Original Instagram review Part 2