As 2021 starts, so do the great releases, with Dutch symphonic metal masters Epica due to release their monumental 8th full-length album “Omega” on 26th of February, and I caught up with vocalist Simone Simons to talk about the forthcoming album.
“Omega” is an album of unity, of friendship, of the close bond the members share. An album that naturally came together as a group effort. And no wonder: Mark Jansen, Simone Simons, and keyboard player Coen Janssen have been playing together since EPICA’s conception in 2002, with drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek joining as early as 2007, lead guitarist Isaac Delahaye following in 2009. In 2012, bass player Rob van der Loo marked the latest addition to their ranks. For eight years, three records, and hundreds of gigs, this band forms an indestructible unit. Add to that the fact that “Omega” is once again graced by a stunning artwork courtesy of Heilemania who has been working with the band since “The Classical Conspiracy” and also the third record the Dutch trailblazers have recorded with producer and close friend Joost van den Broek and you get the picture of a band who couldn’t be happier with the place they’re in right now. A band in which each member is contributing an important share to songwriting and composing. “Joost has the overview, never loses track, and nor misses a single deadline,” Mark Jansen tells of his old friend he’s been hanging out with since the days of even before After Forever. “His sense of timing is impeccable and almost a little spooky. We’ve never been better organized than with him.” As a result, Joost van den Broek not only steered the recording process of “Omega” but for the first time also took over mixing duties.
In the middle of a world in turmoil, of a cataclysmic change in society, EPICA somehow managed to create their most spectacular album yet. An album that is seamlessly bringing together metal and orchestra, choir, and oriental instruments to a perfect storm constantly emitting goosebumps. A record with a specifically written suite for orchestra and choir, featuring a wide range of ethnic instruments recorded around the world by some of the best native musicians out there. In short: They outdid themselves. Once again. And still managed to keep the songs approachable and wickedly catchy.
Epica’s eighth album Omega, out on February 26, 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records. Listen / Order: http://nblast.de/Epica-Omega.
ORDER ALBUM: http://nblast.de/Epica-Omega
LISTEN ON: http://nblast.de/Epica-OmegaDSP
VISIT THE BAND Website: http://www.epica.nl/band
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YouTube: http://youtube.com/Epica
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