However, what is most impressive are the choirs, both male and female they’re often full on and add so much.
#EPICA THE QUANTUM ENIGMA ALBUM ART PLUS#
I am not a fan of the old death metal growl, partly because my personal demons speak with forked tongues not Darth Vadar voices, and partly because I often find it hard to decipher what the hell those singers are griping about fortunately I can understand Mark Jansen’s voice and he’s obviously not the sole voice, plus when he does come in grunting it often counterpoints Simons, not just aurally but in commentary statement. Main vocalist Simone Simons does indeed have a fine voice, one that embraces both the right side of operatic, mainstream rock and a little Eurovision Song Contest lite with its clarity of sound. We’ve come a long way since Deep Purple’s ‘ Concerto For Group And Orchestra‘, and thank whatever deity, this time it succeeds.
While that’s as it may be, I found I wasn’t really listening to the lyrics save on a few specific songs, nor specific instruments coming to the foreground or soloing really, but the overall sound of an orchestra with added rock instruments for good measure. Thus Epica see optimism beyond the current despair. Further, that we are all connected the universe, the earth, nature, animals and human beings, and this period in time will be the prelude to the end for those who still don’t want to, or simply won’t see it: a requiem for the indifferent but also a possibility for a new beginning with great new chances. The theme is that mankind can no longer stick its head in the sand regarding tensions between different religions and cultures, wars, natural disasters, or financial crises. Increasingly I’m hearing bands, and predominantly European ones, whose albums tend to be what you might term concept orientated, that is to say there’s an overall story or theme behind them.Įach of the five digi-pak versions of Epica’s ‘ The Quantum Enigma‘ features impressive cover art by Stefan Heilemann, a long term contributor to the band, plus visual extras on some of them that expand upon the album’s lyrics that are said to refer to the end of an era. Fifth album in from Epica the symphonic metal band who hail from Holland, but the first I’ve had the opportunity to listen to.