Dutch pomp-metal band
Epica, fronted by classically trained mezzo-soprano
Simone Simons, released their second album for Nuclear Blast only a year after their label debut, the more unique
The Classical Conspiracy. That two-disc live set found them performing a mix of classical works and their own songs with backing by a full orchestra and choir. This album offers more of their bombastic goth metal songs, with
Simons' vocals floating atop an ever flowing stream of complicated drumming, epic riffs, and shredtastic solos. The use of orchestral instruments to add
John Williams-like climaxes is intermittently successful, but the music is just as frequently stripped down to an unaccompanied piano or to just the rock band, and that works, too. The very occasional interruption of male death growls is less necessary; frankly, the band should just let
Simons do her
Sarah Brightman-esque thing and keep the riffs cranking behind her. If you like this sort of thing (
Lacuna Coil,
Nightwish,
After Forever,
Leaves' Eyes, etc., etc.), or if you're a big
Andrew Lloyd Webber fan, this is exactly the sort of thing you'll like. ~ Phil Freeman