Since 2002 Epica has released 8 wonderful albums that have brought together elements of Progressive and heavy music in a wonderful Symphonic Metal stew. So what do you do after using their time during Covid lockdown to create ‘Omega Alive’? How about the collaborative ‘Alchemy Project’ which is “co-written and performed with diverse guests ranging from the extreme Fleshgod Apocalypse, Niilo Sevänen (Insomnium) and Björn ‘Speed’ Strid (Soilwork) via melodic masters like Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), keyboard legend Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep) or Roel van Helden (Powerwolf) to a once-in-a-lifetime song with Simone Simons, Charlotte Wessels and Myrkur?”
What you end up with is both a gem and an anomaly in the Epica catalogue – an EP that takes in the “fierce and massive courtesy of Fleshgod Apocalypse, the beautiful Rainbow-like epic “Wake The World” features Phil Lanzon’s virtuoso keyboard playing and Tommy Karevik’s soaring voice while “Sirens – Of Blood And Water” brings together the outstanding, otherworldly vocal talent of Simone Simons, Charlotte Wessels and Mykur for the first time ever. A new classic of the symphonic metal genre is born, uniting three of the most important voices in metal.”
In reality this is an EP that has a little for everyone, and whilst you might not be beguiled by the brooding harshness of the Fleshgod Apocaypse collab ‘The Great Tribulation’ which musically is rather grand and simply seems to not really need those growling vocals at times; you might just love the infusion of Uriah Heep and Kamelot into the rather more laid back Classic Prog Rock infusion of ‘Wake the World’ or vice-versa.
For me the real high comes with the rush of ‘The Final Lullaby’ which is a collaboration with ‘Shining’ and is a stunning track that will make you want more just like that, even when the sax seeps in as a complete surprise (and also in my case make me check out ‘Shining’). There’s also the rather wonderful ‘Sirens’ featuring Delain’s Charlotte Wessels juxtaposed with Danish Black Metalers ‘Myrkur’, not that there is a hint of Black Metal in the rather hypnotic song.
You’ll also love closer – the epic ‘The Miner’ which builds beautifully and takes you on a real journey to settle things down after the rather frenetic thrashy ‘Death is Not the End’ and the even faster and more dramatic ‘Human Devastation’.
There’s definite variety here and something for everyone!
TRACK LISTING + GUESTS:
The Great Tribulation: Fleshgod Apocalypse
Wake the World: Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep) & Tommy Karevik (Kamelot)
The Final Lullaby: Shining
Sirens – Of Blood and Water: Charlotte Wessels & Myrkur
Death is not the End: Frank Schiphorst (MaYaN) & Björn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork)
Human Devastation: Henri Sattler (God Dethroned), Sven de Caluwé (Aborted)
The Miner: Asim Searah (Damnation Plan), Niilo Sevänen (Insomnium), Roel van Helden (Powerwolf)