Symphonic metal titans Epica return with Aspiral, their ninth studio album, via Nuclear Blast Records. A band known for crafting vast musical landscapes, Epica push their sound further here, marrying technical complexity with what a lot of fans online have said is a more accessible direction.
The album opens with the explosive “Cross The Divide,” a track that wastes no time making an impact. Gritty guitar riffs intertwine with Simone Simons’ high bar setting vocals, setting the stage for what’s to come. This energy flows straight into the epic “Darkness Dies In Light – A New Age Dawns Part VII,” an eight-minute journey through shifting tempos, intricate orchestration, and rich choral layers. For long time fans, this is classic Epica.
Slowing the pace but not the power, “Obsidian Heart” brings a brooding rhythmic groove that allows Simons’ voice to truly take center stage. It’s a moodier moment that shows the band’s versatility. Closing track “Aspiral” is a delicate, almost cinematic experience, Simons’ ethereal vocals paired with Coen Janssen’s piano work builds to a powerful finale.
While longtime fans will spot familiar hallmarks, as mentioned before, Aspiral stands out as one of the band’s most accessible offerings yet. It’s polished, confident, and unafraid to explore new territory without losing the essence of what makes Epica who they are.
‘Aspiral’ gets its self a 7.5 out or 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography