Epica

Requiem For
The Indifferent

The dutch band   Epica   released their album   Requiem For The Indifferent   on March 9th, 2012 through  Nuclear Blast. The normal version contains thirteen songs, the Limited Edition an additional bonus track. They were recorded at the Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, again with producer Sasha Paeth at work.


Epica   exists since years and I think their development over the years is really very interesting. Their last CD   Design Your Universe   scored very high and now the successor   Requiem For The Indifferent   is approaching.  Previously you ask yourself: Can it be even better? Will it sound a little bit different? Harder or softer? Are you going to be “just” thrilled or completely knock for a loop? One thing you know for sure, without any doubt: it will be a special kind of listening experience!


This CD is an expedition. It offers so much – it isn´t possible to notice all at first listening. You have to listen to the songs several times, to enjoy the full impression. Epica   offers again a fascinating mix, especial and intensive! I can completely get lost in the album and it never becomes boring, because every song has its own amazing composition and appealing lyrics. Mark Jansen really did a great job.


I leave out the short intro-tracks   Karma   and   Anima.   The remaining songs have very good running times. The both „heavy-weights”   Requiem For The Indifferent   (8:34 min.) and   Serenade Of Self-Destruction   (9:52 min.) prove to me that long tracks can become real acoustic delicacies if there is enough imagination. The recordings happened on a high musical level. The two guitarists Mark Jansen and Isaac Delahaye, bass player Yves Huts, keyboarder Coen Janssen and drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek offer a damn good performance on their instruments.


The delivery of the   Epica   gents is connected with the orchestral sound in an elegant manner. This mixture is kind of catchy, above all it changes over and over again, because the dominance of rock-instruments respectively the orchestra is various arranged in every song. I love the guitar-parts, sometimes really fast, sometimes the strings of the acoustic guitars are plucked very tender, high-class solos. Mark and Isaac really inspire me completely. A big praise goes also to drummer Arien. Powerful, always with the matching drive to the song – I really like what he’s delivering on the drums.


As to the vocal-parts, the beauty meets the beast – the magnificent voice of Simone Simons and the furious violent grunts of Mark Jansen complement one another in best way and they implement the lyrics excellent. Simone has that certain something, sounds fantastic in all pitches. Particularly the slower parts are my favorites, there Simone gives me the creeps. Mark´s grunts are heavy, but I can understand every word and that is very important for me. Aplenty choral singing, in different variations. It always matches to the song and harmonises with the music.


It´s a bit hard to select suggestions, because in my opinion this CD achieves its optimum effect as a whole. I just take the three songs which reflect my today's mood:

Deep Water Horizon   –   at first a wonderful slower calm song, sung very intensely. The last two minutes bring a little bit more speed.

Delirium   –   this gentle song is a doozie. Simone´s voice sounds so great, that gives me the creeps. Top guitar solo.

Internal Warfare   –   great speed, excellent rhythm, the horn section gives a special touch. Another highlight: wild grunts rotate with choral singing.


The right portion of hardness, tender moments, wonderful melodies, the tempo from full speed to idling mixture, a strong-voiced female singer and an excellent grunter, optimal harmonising musicians, creative songwriting, good lyrics... All that together results in a music pleasure of the special class.   Epica   go their way into the right direction, develop their music and don´t rest on their laurels.   Requiem For The Indifferent   gets from me>
 

Rating:

7 out of 7 Ankhs

Marion Ney / Sarkophag Rocks
17.03.2012


Translation by Marion Ney
 

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