The Divine Conspiracy

Nuclear Blast

Dutch film score Metal enthusiasts Epica have returned to the frontlines with their latest work of imaginative creativity titled The Divine Conspiracy, a seminal masterpiece that explores the depths, emotions and perseverance of the human psyche unlike anything they’ve attempted in the past, ultimately taking the band and their artistic development further down the path of enlightenment.

From a musical perspective The Divine Conspiracy follows in close proximity to its 2005 forbearer Consign To Oblivion yet successfully ups the dosage of aggression and overall production value solidly to the next degree. Fronted by the stunning vocal capabilities of mezzo soprano Simone Simmons whose alluring presence transcends the boundaries of passion and beauty, Epica have entered into their own and stand in luxuriant contrast to their peers, making them one of the most respectable bands in existence today. While they have maintained their signature sound everything this time around screams more. Simone is steadily on with her superb vocal delivery and the constant incursion of dark metal grunts and growls by guitarist Mark Jansen presents a much needed abrasiveness to the polished operatic siren not to mention the super heavy riffing that takes place throughout thus rounding out their sound to balance both the angelic and demonic stylings that are so highly sought after in today’s highly developed Metal platform.

The classical proliferation of The Divine Conspiracy united with its metallic counterpart offers a superiorly intelligent design and brings renewed hope for the Metal genre. The thirteen tracks contained therein are brought to life by the bands common focus and fully realized in the monumental title track that clocks in at an amazing thirteen minutes and fifty seven seconds. This is tantalizing symphonic Metal at its very best and a must have for any admirer of the newly identified breed of sophisticated Metal fan. Epica are most assuredly ambassadors to this latest evolutionary stage.

-Priest