Epica
The Quantum Enigma
Nuclear Blast
2014
Epica is one of the most famous symphonic metal bands of our time. In their 13+ years of existence they have proved that they are very consistent and careful when it comes to new releases.
This time Epica just do what they know best. No secrets, no surprises and no music style changes whatsoever. Their cooperation with Joost van den Broek (After Forever, Xandria, Stream of Passion, Nemesea, ReVamp etc.) still benefits both of them. Joost has become one of the most “wanted” producers & music arrangers of symphonic metal music. That’s both good and bad. You see, producing the same kind of music can sometimes make you do (even by nature) similar & overdone things. That’s the human nature. But if you wanna have a man who can guarantee you’ll have a great symphonic album, I guess Joost is the man. There are various musicians who have participated here in order to make this album sound the way it does. Musicians, singers, music conductors that do not get any credits, by the fans, but their job is more than crucial.
“The Quantum Enigma” has a major drawback. It’s longer that it should have been. And I’m talking about the actual release and not the special editions. Almost 70 minutes of this kind of music tends to be boring after a certain point and that’s where this album loses points. Honestly, I still can’t understand why the band and/or the label fail to see this thing and they keep doing it repeatedly. The growls/extreme vocals are still way too many for an album like this but Simone sounds awesome as always. Let’s not forget that she’s probably the hottest redhead in the metal scene.
Anyhow, “The Quantum Enigma” will gratify the band’s fans and specially those who fancy symphonic metal music but it won’t change the mind of those who cannot stand it. Due to experience, technicians and musical background Epica and a few others bands are almost impossible to fall under a specific music level… but I’m afraid they cannot go all the way up either…
This time Epica just do what they know best. No secrets, no surprises and no music style changes whatsoever. Their cooperation with Joost van den Broek (After Forever, Xandria, Stream of Passion, Nemesea, ReVamp etc.) still benefits both of them. Joost has become one of the most “wanted” producers & music arrangers of symphonic metal music. That’s both good and bad. You see, producing the same kind of music can sometimes make you do (even by nature) similar & overdone things. That’s the human nature. But if you wanna have a man who can guarantee you’ll have a great symphonic album, I guess Joost is the man. There are various musicians who have participated here in order to make this album sound the way it does. Musicians, singers, music conductors that do not get any credits, by the fans, but their job is more than crucial.
“The Quantum Enigma” has a major drawback. It’s longer that it should have been. And I’m talking about the actual release and not the special editions. Almost 70 minutes of this kind of music tends to be boring after a certain point and that’s where this album loses points. Honestly, I still can’t understand why the band and/or the label fail to see this thing and they keep doing it repeatedly. The growls/extreme vocals are still way too many for an album like this but Simone sounds awesome as always. Let’s not forget that she’s probably the hottest redhead in the metal scene.
Anyhow, “The Quantum Enigma” will gratify the band’s fans and specially those who fancy symphonic metal music but it won’t change the mind of those who cannot stand it. Due to experience, technicians and musical background Epica and a few others bands are almost impossible to fall under a specific music level… but I’m afraid they cannot go all the way up either…