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A certain sextet from Finland may stand as rulers of the symphonic metal world, but there’s no shortage of outfits who can compete with them artistically, if not with commercial stature. The Netherlands’ EPICA are one such example, having traversed all manner of soundscapes and worlds since their 2002 formation and continuing to shine brightly after all that time to boot. Friday 11th April sees the release of ninth album Aspiral, named after the sculpture of the same name by Polish artist Stanisław Szukalski and out via Nuclear Blast.
EPICA have never been a band to rest on their laurels – with every album that passes, they look to reinvent themselves and ensure they never go through the motions. This time around, the focus was on emotions and melodies in every capacity, and Aspiral starts in a promising vein – opening track Cross The Divide is pacey and soars well, helped by a very catchy chorus and a deft key change at the end that underlies the pop nous the band have to produce a track that is accessible while never compromising on who they are. It’s followed by Arcana, a song that falls in line more with the band’s classic pomp and circumstance, the keyboards and synthesisers of Coen Janssen allowed room to shine and give the overriding feel that this is from a film soundtrack, not just an album.
Even within the confines of a genre that often prioritises grace over grit, EPICA aren’t afraid to bear their teeth – Apparition has a real snarl in the guitar work from Mark Hansen and Isaac Delahaye, particularly in the latter’s solo – but they’re also able to embrace the other end of the spectrum with full commitment too, as seen on the sensational closing title track. Vocalist Simone Simons has one of the most beautiful voices in music, let alone metal, but she’s managed to outdo almost everything done prior here, ethereal and other-worldly in her delivery as piano and strings dance around her effortlessly.
There is also a return, after over fifteen years, to the A New Age Dawns saga that began on second album Consign To Oblivion in 2005, with three new parts spread across the record. Darkness Dies In Light…Part VII is regal, sonorous and sees Jansen compliment Simons‘ angelic cleans with his low growls, Metanoia…Part VIII combines grandiose choral voices with chugging riffs and The Grand Saga Of Existence…Part IX rounds off the story for now in sublime fashion with a well-delivered stomp and real sense of a finale, if that’s how chief songwriter Jansen wishes to finish things. At just over an hour it might run a bit too long for some, but that’s really the only criticism here.
Aspiral‘s biggest strength is that each songs works just as well on its own as it does when considered a part of the full body of work. As an entire record, it flows well and has plenty of layers to be discovered across multiple listens, but each of the eleven tracks stands strong individually, a rare achievement in this day and age. After two decades EPICA don’t have anything to prove to anyone, but they always feel like they have a point to prove, and it’s what ensures they remain at the very top of their game.
Rating: 8/10
Aspiral is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.
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The post ALBUM REVIEW: Aspiral – Epica appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
