{"id":7768,"date":"2021-01-26T16:17:56","date_gmt":"2021-01-26T15:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/?p=7768"},"modified":"2024-06-16T15:53:42","modified_gmt":"2024-06-16T13:53:42","slug":"epica-omega","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/rock\/epica-omega\/","title":{"rendered":"Epica \u2013 Omega"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Als je deze recensie liever in het Nederlands leest, kun je hier klikken<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The symphonic metal band Epica will release the album ‘Omega’ on 26 February. This is the last part of a trilogy that started with The Quantum Enigma (2014). If you want to read more about the backgrounds and the album title: On behalf of Rockmuzine, I had an interview with guitarist Mark Jansen, you can read the interview here. The silken start of ‘Alpha – Anteludium’ is slowly becoming more intense. This classically oriented instrumental opening gets cinematic allure. The choral singing is beautifully added. The beautiful build-up to the end flows seamlessly into ‘Abyss of Time – Countdown to Singularity’, the start of which is exhilarating. The cool grunts of Mark Jansen create fantastic contrasts with the beautiful vocals of Simone Simons. This goes for their individual voice as well as their harmony vocals. Because of the accessible structure, you hardly notice that the composition and performance is enormously complex. The first few seconds of ‘Seal of Solomon’ are intriguing. This could have taken a bit longer, but now it gets just too little attention. The Asian influences are fantastically alternated and\/or mixed with a wonderfully exhilarating rhythm. Moreover, the balance between metal and symphony is also perfect. After a cool guitar solo follows a short quiet piece, after which it continues full throttle. The build-up to the end is great!
‘Gaia’ is the primeval mother from Greek mythology, goddess of nature and earth. Simone wrote the lyrics for this catchy track as a consciousness of dealing more carefully with mother earth. The quiet intro of ‘Code of Life’ is special. There are many details, due to the different percussion instruments, all of which have their own timbre. Choral singing, classical and folklore stringed instruments, such as the santoor, form a beautiful blend with the heavier music. The children’s choir fits perfectly into this song. The alternation with the grunts are ingenious. A swirling piece is followed by a tight end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The subdued intro of ‘Kingdom of Heaven prt 3 – The Antediluvian Universe’ sets, together with the string instruments, under my skin. Then this track slowly gets cinematic allure. Because of the choral singing this becomes grandly squared. When after more than two minutes the metal comes along the ‘goosebumps’ feeling remains. A quiet part with, among other things, light, sparkling piano playing is built up fantastic to more power. The contrast between the low bass and the high tones in vocals and music is fascinating. This third part is also an excellent epic. In ‘Rivers’ Simone’s crystal-clear vocals are first accompanied by a touch of music. More layers are added, increasing the volume. But the calm flow remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The title track starts classically oriented. The change to metal could have been a bit more extraordinary. Furthermore, it’s all ear candy, with, among other things, cool guitar playing. Because of the build-up you feel that not only ‘Omega – Sovereign of the Sun Spheres’ is almost finished, but also the album itself.
There are plenty of contradictions, because music and vocals regularly go against each other. You will hear various folklore instruments, including sitar and didgeridoo. There are also many percussion instruments such as mridangam. Add the choir and orchestra, and the number of tracks (= layers in the music) regularly rises to 1,000! And yet everything has remained in balance. ‘Omega’ is rather complex, yet accessible. This will probably be noticeable at the live shows. You can feel that the thick bass groove in ‘Twilight Reverie – The Hypnagogic State’ will bring interaction with the audience. The same goes for the fast, dynamic drumming. We’ll have to wait a long time for big live shows. But fortunately, we can soon enjoy this superior album by Epica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(96\/100) (Nuclear Blast Records<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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