Epica, the Dutch symphonic metal band, releases their ninth studio album, titled “Aspiral”. It’s very well-composed and produced, and it’s a genuine pleasure to listen to, especially because it’s probably Epica’s most accessible album to date.
The album is inspired by the idea of renewal, taking its name from a sculpture by Stanisław Szukalski that symbolizes change and inspiration. It’s a work where Epica seems to explore themes like spiritual transformation or personal evolution.
Personally, I’ve never been a huge fan of Epica’s music due to the heavy emphasis on the guttural growls used by guitarist Mark Jansen, who serves as the band’s secondary vocalist alongside Simone Simons, the lead singer. I think this is probably a sentiment shared by many other symphonic metal fans.
But in Aspiral, Epica finally reins in Mark and his growls, and while they’re still present, they’re not overly prominent. This allowed me to better appreciate the band’s music and, in particular, Simone Simons’ brilliant vocal talent. Her voice shines throughout the album as the central figure, amidst heavy metal songs filled with grandiose and melodic vocal parts, surrounded by meticulous attention to orchestral and choral arrangements. The music even incorporates occasional touches of progressive metal complexity.
I get the impression that Aspiral is probably the album that most directly captures the essence of what Epica is, making it an excellent entry point for fans of symphonic metal bands like Nightwish or Within Temptation who have never fully dived into Epica’s musical world. From the opening track, “Cross the Divide,” Epica greets us with a dramatic orchestral introduction, and overall, there’s a great balance between symphonic grandeur and powerful metal riffs.
And well, Mark’s guttural growls do still show up, but being relatively sporadic, they add a restrained contrast that, overall, I find welcome.
One song that I absolutely loved was “Obsidian Heart.” It’s a slow, heavy piece, with Simone effortlessly navigating through different registers. Another track that really hooked me was “Fight to Survive – The Overview Effect.” The chorus, like many others on the album, is very catchy. When Mark’s growls kick in halfway through the song, they felt quite fitting in their sudden assault.
There’s also some contrast to all the metal. For example, the title track, “Aspiral”, starts as a dreamy, tranquil piano ballad and ends with an explosive, grandiose chorus.
When I compare this album to what I’ve heard from other Epica records, Aspiral feels easier to digest—not only because the songs feel more accessible, but especially, as I mentioned, due to the moderated use of Mark’s guttural growls. It’s a pretty smooth experience.
In summary, “Aspiral” genuinely captivated me from start to finish, and I think Simone Simons is at one of her best moments. The music took me on an exciting journey that felt amazing the whole way through.
