EPICA – Omega [Deluxe Edition] (2021)

EPICA are ready to release their eighth studio album, titled ‘ΩMEGA’, their first full-length record in five years recorded early 2020 at Sandlane Recording Facilities with producer, Joost van den Broek.
At this point, Epica is the gold standard of symphonic metal. The new album is delightfully dramatic, bombastic and melodic yet at times pretty heavy, and after the first listen you get the impression this is their magnum opus.
Yeap “Omega” is a modern Sympho little masterpiece.

Epica’s superiority comes from the contrasts between Mark Jansen’s growls and Simone Simon’s angelic and powerful voice as well as the combination of the heavy guitars and the dreamy keyboards. In addition to the terrific musical performances from all the band members, they write better songs than the other bands in the genre. They also have better arrangements and production.

On this new album, in the making for five years with everything polished to detail, we get to hear Epica’s trademark sound and, as always with this band, there is some added complexity.
For example, there are some terrific Middle Eastern touches incorporated into the songs “Seal of Solomon” and “Code of Life”. Epica’s soundscape is busy, there are always things going on in this multi-layered music with constant twists and turns.

They are also absolute scholars and royals when it comes to the use of choirs and orchestras. At times, Epica’s music sounds like a film score. As we are used to when it comes to Epica, many of the songs are diverse with frequent tempo and style changes.
But there are also some more straightforward songs, like the dreamy and beautiful ballad “Rivers”.

The epic piece “Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 – The Antediluvian Universe” clocks in at almost thirteen and a half minutes. During that time, Epica takes us on one helluva ride. It’s a standout track for sure, but this album is so good that all the tracks are terrific and entertaining. “The Skeleton Key” is among my favourites with its dramatic intro with piano and choirs, before we get the guitar riffs and, of course, Simone.
Other bands don’t have Simone. And that’s makes a difference.

Epica has a long-established and rock-solid line-up: vocalist Simone Simons and guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen are joined by Isaac Delahaye (guitar), Coen Janssen (keyboards and piano), Ariën van Weesenbeek (drums) and Rob van der Loo (bass). Joost van den Broek’s production is flawless. He has worked closely with the band for many years and he manages to get the best out of them.
Highly Recommended

CD 1: ΩMEGA
01 – Alpha-Anteludium
02 – Abyss Of Time-Countdown To Singularity
03 – The Skeleton Key
04 – Seal Of Solomon
05 – Gaia
06 – Code Of Life
07 – Freedom-The Wolves Within
08 – Kingdom Of Heaven part III-The Antediluvian Universe
09 – Rivers
10 – Synergize-Manic Manifest
11 – Twilight Reverie-The Hypnagogic State
12 – Omega-Sovereign Of The Sun Spheres

CD 2: Omegacoustic
01 – Rivers (Acapella)
02 – Abyss O’ Time
03 – Omegacoustic
04 – El Codigo Vital

Simone Simons – lead vocals
Mark Jansen – rhythm guitar, orchestrations
Isaac Delahaye – lead guitar
Coen Janssen – keyboards, synths, piano, orchestrations
Rob van der Loo – bass
Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums, vocals
additional musicians:
Vicky Psarakis (The Agonist) – vocals on 11
Zaher Zorgati (Myrath) – vocals on 6

Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Omega-Limited-2CD-Set-Epica/dp/B08KQRZ6PR