Epica appreciation thread

[cramx3]

With so many songs written, that could also mean bonus tracks and whatnot.

Definitely expect that, as well as acoustic songs.  I believe those were confirmed from an IG post as well, the pic was Cohen playing his accordion again iirc.

[Prog Snob]

Maybe by the end of the summer we'll have a new track to listen to.

[cramx3]

Maybe by the end of the summer we'll have a new track to listen to.

I'd think so too.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

That's a bit of a different cover for Epica. It could mean something different with the music, too.

Maybe Mark finally stopped growling. Fingers crossed.

[cramx3]

That's a bit of a different cover for Epica. It could mean something different with the music, too.

Maybe Mark finally stopped growling. Fingers crossed.

One can only wish...

[bosk1]

I still regularly dig on Retrospect.  And it is so good, so long, and so..."completely" that I never really feel like I need any other Epica.

[ronnibran]

Epica...  Another one of the many bands that I like.   News about the new album: https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/epica-the-holographic-principle-track-listing-album-concept-revealed/

I'm excited! I still need to collect all of their albums.  I only have two albums plus a greatest hits.  Great stuff, this is definitely going to be a release day buy. 

[The Cat Of Tuscany]

Ooh, nice!  One thing I notice from the track list is that there doesn't appear to be an interlude, contrary to their usual style.  I'm very excited, though!

[gazinwales]

That's a bit of a different cover for Epica. It could mean something different with the music, too.

Maybe Mark finally stopped growling. Fingers crossed.

I hope not.
He an essential part of the Epica sound and style.
The more growls thew better I say 

[Prog Snob]

I think Epica should move past the growls. I don't feel it's needed. I think using dual vocals is ideal if there are conflicting lyrical passages that need to shown as separate. The growling just for the sake of it is unnecessary in Epica.

[ronnibran]

I'm with gazinwales on this one - the more growls the better!  That said, I understand that we all have different tastes.  And at the end of the day, I will enjoy the new album equally whether it has a lot, or no growls.  Whatever fits the songs, and I'm sure Epica won't disappoint.

[gazinwales]

I also enjoy Mark's growls in his side band Mayan, where he is the lead vocalist.

[Adami]

I'm fine with growls in Epica, and it looks like someone else is doing growls with him, based on what I can hear.

Mark is just not a great growler. He's getting better, but he's still a pretty mediocre growler. Beyond that, the growling is usually extremely redundant. If you look at the "rhythms" or whatever he is growling, they are often super similar to each other.

I think if they layered the growls a bit more and really varied up his delivery and how he writes, it would be better. Then again, variety in general would really help Epica.

[gazinwales]

Mayan - War On Terror
https://youtu.be/BhBeb3ZMyow

[Adami]

Mayan - War On Terror
https://youtu.be/BhBeb3ZMyow

Yup, I feel the exact same way about his growls there.

[cramx3]

I always figured the growls gave Epica a "beauty and the beast" type of feel.  I think it's worked mostly... but the growls themselves are just not good.  If they had a better growler, then it would be much better.  So having said that, I would be fine without them, but if they are there then I just wish they were done better.... and I think over time they have been done better.  The growls are significantly better on the newer vs older albums IMO.

[bosk1]

Mark's growls and screams are just as much a part of their signature sound as Simone is, IMO.  I have no problem with him doing his thing.  But I noticed on the Retrospect DVD that Isaac is doing some too, and I think he sounds great.

[cramx3]

Mark's growls and screams are just as much a part of their signature sound as Simone is, IMO.  I have no problem with him doing his thing.  But I noticed on the Retrospect DVD that Isaac is doing some too, and I think he sounds great.

Yea, I think Isaac is much better.

[cramx3]

New single Universal Death Squad will be released this Friday! 

[Prog Snob]

New single Universal Death Squad will be released this Friday! 

[adace]

And it's up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Ys_W7ySkM

Kickass song

[cramx3]

 

Not bad at all.  Think I'll be loving it after a few listens.

[Cyclopssss]

Impressive. I liked it a lot.

[Luoto]

The mix is terrible, as far as that video clip goes. Guitars are way too loud and completely drown any emotional highs the music could potentially have.

[Prog Snob]

I like it so far. I'll have to give it a few more listens though. Gods, I love Simone. 

[cramx3]

Gods, I love Simone. 

Yup, easily my favorite female vocalist. 

[Prog Snob]

Gods, I love Simone. 

Yup, easily my favorite female vocalist.

For me, it's a toss up between her and Sharon from Within Temptation. Plus there's Sarah Brightman. So many women...so little time. 

[Adami]

Gods, I love Simone. 

Yup, easily my favorite female vocalist.

As far as non-screaming types go, I'd put her below Anneke and Floor. But she's very very good.


Also, cool song. Not terribly memorable but I did like that they tried some new things with the orchestra/keyboards.

[Prog Snob]

Anneke is up there, too.

[cramx3]

Gods, I love Simone. 

Yup, easily my favorite female vocalist.

As far as non-screaming types go, I'd put her below Anneke and Floor. But she's very very good.


Also, cool song. Not terribly memorable but I did like that they tried some new things with the orchestra/keyboards.

Those two are up there as well.  I just love simone's voice.  I actually don't really listen to any screaming females so I can't compare to those.

I'm actually really excited to see Anneke live for the first time this fall. I've seen Floor and Simone before.

[jakepriest]

Don't really like this new song that much. There are some pretty good guitar riffs but I'm not digging the vocal harmonies at all.

[cramx3]

Don't really like this new song that much. There are some pretty good guitar riffs but I'm not digging the vocal harmonies at all.

I think the vocal harmodies are a bit odd as well, that's why I think it'll take a few listens before I start to love it. The music is fantastic though and the harmonies I just need to get used to I think.

[Evermind]

This was actually really good, I liked it a lot. Looking forward to that album and maybe catching them on tour again. Really enjoyed their show last time they played in Russia.

[cramx3]

This was actually really good, I liked it a lot. Looking forward to that album and maybe catching them on tour again. Really enjoyed their show last time they played in Russia.

Yea, Im thinking I'll catch them again when they come to NYC (Already announced this show), assuming it doesn't get cancelled.

[Ninjabait]

I'm kind of mixed about the new song, tbh. The orchestration and keyboards have some really interesting parts and Simone rocked it as usual, but some of the guitar parts were a little eh and I wasn't a fan of the mix overall at times. The lyrics were a little cheesy at times too. It may grow on me yet, but so far it's in the same boat as "Unchain Utopia" as a song that's pretty good but far outclassed by other things in their discography. Doesn't really sway me either way in regards to my excitement for the album, though.

Also, I am TOTALLY digging the video. It looks like they're having so much fun playing the song and really enjoying themselves! Their energy in the video is super infectious, and I am liking the cut-aways between the band playing and Simone in that weird futuristic get-up.