Simply Divine
Epica are back with what could possibly described as the album that will make people sit up and listen. 'The Divine Conspiracy' is definatly their breakthrough album to greatness. This album seens so ambitious from the outset you worry that it will acheive its goals, but by the end of the album you are safe in the knowledge that you have heard nothing but pure gothic metal ecstasy. Epica are finally fufilling the promise that they showed when they arrived on the scene a couple of years ago.
The beautiful operatic nightingale voice of Simone Simons is superbly complimented by the grunts and screams of Mark Jansen. This album is simply perfectly arranged and orchestrated gothic metal on a par with anything Within Temptation or Lacuna Coil are currently doing, but to my mind this is better than that.
'The Divine Conspiracy' album is stil a wonderful journey of operatic metal while dabbling in themes such as the nature of God, while intergrating Arabic and Middle Eastern musical motifs. The mixture helps the hairs on the back of your neck stand as the glides and guides you by the hand.
There are so many stand out tracks on this album it is hard to pick a favourite 'Chasing The Dragon' with brilliant vocals and grunts with refined metal guitar play, 'La'petach Chatat Rovetz - The Last Embrace' or 'Beyond Belief' are all simply stunning pieces of gothic metal. I could go on and on.
This is definately a brilliant album that will bring them great and much deserved success.... and for me another chance to look at a picture of the stunningly beautiful Simone Simons. I love female fronted metal and she is my new Queen of Metal!