EPYSODE – Fantasmagoria (2013)
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Two years ago we presented here the debut from the very interesting project by Belgian composer & guitarist Samuel Arkan: EPYSODE. “Fantasmagoria” is the new concept album from his feverish mind, defined by Arkan as a ‘Supernatural Thriller Prog Metal Concept’.
One could argue that Ayreon is the Avantasia of progressive metal. Well, Arjen Lucassen is not alone in the universe anymore. It seems the concept of gathering lots of guests around one very talented musician is not uncommon in the Lowlands.
Belgium has its own personal Arjen Lucassen in the guise of Samuel Arkan, and his international concept story – prog endeavor Epysode.
Epysode plays very powerful progressive metal with some melodic, atmospheric passages in between.
Arkan has one hell of an address book, as on the first album, “Fantasmagoria” features the extensive and exemplary work of a great line-up of international guests; Tom S. Englund (Evergrey), Henning Basse (ex-Sons Of Seasons, Uli Jon Roth), Ida Haukland (Triosphere), Matt Marinelli (Borealis) and Tezzi Persson (Between The Silence) are the vocalists. It’s enough to make Tobias Sammet blush.
All singers share the same haunting and sensitive way in the interpretation, even in the middle of a difficult environment made of the intense arrangements and such complex melodies.
Musically, the recording features Leo Margarit (Pain Of Salvation) on drums, Simone Mularoni (DGM, Empyrios) playing some amazing guitar solos, Symphony X’s Mike LePond on bass and Julien Spreutels (Ethernity) on keys.
The surprising thing is, that even I don’t dig too much these musician’s bands, I really enjoyed what they have played here, as Arkan’s compositional skills keeps you interested all the time.
Opener “File 4180-2” is a kind of intro, featuring a duet and it sets the scene for the rest of the album. The gloomy sophistication in the thick ambience is the norm here, as we heard later in the climatic semi-ballad “Garden Of Exile” and the dark, epic title track “Fantasmagoria”.
Many of the songs are kept in a midtempo like e.g. the highly melodic “Venom” which has a great bridge and chorus, but also more heavy moments like “The Black Parade” with pounding razor riffs, and “Living Fortress” with a great dueling vocals between Matt Marinelli and Tom Englund. Both songs holds a technical fury and a fat riffage frenzy mania.
Epysode’s second chapter “Fantasmagoria” is a captivating concept album, musically heavy and elaborated, perfectly executed and exploring some really interesting prog metal territories. There’s a fine story as well, nice to follow.
Despite all those guest musicians the album sounds very tight. It seems that Arkan managed to create a kind of ‘band spirit’ for this CD. Nobody recorded his/her parts at home like with some many other projects, all flew out to the Noise Factory Studio (Belgium) to record their bits in Arkan’s presence. So all the musicians in “Fantasmagoria” feels like they’re part of the band, the story, the structure.
Epysode sounds very genuine, broader than ever, yet darker even modernized, improved by the great mix & mastering from Jacob Hansen, who also worked already with Pretty Maids, Jorn Lande, TNT. Hansen did a great job, since the album got a clear and powerful sound which supports this kind of music in a graceful way.
Recommended.
01. File 4180-2
02. The Arch
03. Morning Rose
04. Venom
05. The Black Parade
06. T.H.O.R.N.S.
07. Garden of Exile
08. Raven’s Curse
09. Living Fortress
10. Fantasmagoria
11. The Inheritance
12. Now and Forever
13. Forgotten Symphony
14. Unreal
Samuel Arkan – Guitars
Léo Margarit (Pain Of Salvation) – Drums
Simone Mularoni (DGM, Empyrios) – Guitar
Mike LePond (Symphony X) – Bass
Julien Spreutels (Ethernity) – Keyboards
Vocalists:
Tom Englund (Evergrey)
Henning Basse (Uli Jon Roth, Sons Of Seasons)
Ida Haukland (Triosphere)
Matt Marinelli (Borealis)
Tezzi Persson (Between The Silence)
BUY IT !
shop.afm-records.de/en/epysode-en/epysode-fantasmagoria.html
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