Epica - Divine Conspiracy
|
List Price: Our Price: $13.99 You Save: $1.99 (12%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $8.49 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Divine Conspiracy
Free Music Review: Love this album...
Hit: 5 Stars
I must admit this album is very, very good. If you love Nightwish and the likes, chances are you will like this too, and I definitely do. The first CD I ever downloaded by this band was the Score an epic journey. I actually got the impression that the band doesn't have a singer or anything, and thank goodness that I downloaded this album by them, because they are just pure talent. I have to admit that the growling is a bit over done on songs like the Death of a Dream or The Obsessive Devotion. Otherwise, the whole growling fits pretty well with all of the other tracks. I would actually miss it if it wasn't there. Took a few listens to get used to their style, but I really ended up liking them.Free Music Review: Fantastic!
Hit: 5 Stars
From the moment I heard the first track to the title track at the end it was nothing short of perfection! Simone Simons has an exquisite voice and the choir throughout is a great touch. The orchestration of the album is fantastic! It gets you pumped right away and keeps you pumped to the end. Tracks like "Menace of Vanity", "The Obsessive Devotion", and "Sancta Terra", a song with a great opening, are exciting tracks mixed with some slower songs such as, "Chasing the Dragon", which is slow but also picks up pace because it is such a long song, and "Safeguard to Paradise", which showcases Simone's beautiful voice! I can't name enough songs from this album. Though I have to agree a bit of a down side are the death grunts, but after a few listens you can get past them and you can just fall in love with it because it is a brilliantly put together album!Free Music Review: Epic Symphonic Metal Cantata
Hit: 4 Stars
What Epica has done with this album is nothing less than a symphonic metal cantata or oratorio, with angels, demons, power chords and celestial choirs - a goth metal Paradise Lost.
Does it work? Almost. Like a lot of progressive rock of the past, its reach exceeds its grasp. Some it is fantastic, other parts seem a bit sophomoric. It does't quite hold together, but it's sure got some great moments.
If you like Nightwish, you'll love Epica, but I find that Nightwish integrates orchestral sounds with the metal a bit more effectively than Epica. It helps that, at least on their 2 most recent discs, Nightwish is using a real orchestra, whereas a lot of the orchestral parts on Epica's "Divine Conspiracy" sound synthesized.
What really makes Epica appealing is the stunning voice of lead singer Simone Simons. When the music gives her room to shine, the results are amazing - like on the 4th track, "Chasing the Dragon." It's just beautiful.
If you read the other reviews, you'll find that some are not fans of the growling/grunting of Mark Janssen, which is also a big part of the sound of this disc. I think it actually works pretty well and certainly fits the lyrics and the overall themes of the music. To my ears, this is not an especially "heavy" record, with the biggest impression being made by Simone's soaring lead vocals.
As you can probably tell, I like Nightwish a little better overall but Epica gets big points for Simone.
Free Music Review: Divine Beauty
Hit: 5 Stars
It's taken me several months to get around to writing a review on this album b/c quite frankly it leaves me speechless. Tracks 4 and 9 alone are worth the purchase price. In some ways I wish this band would catch on and become a huge phenom b/c they deserve it, but in other, selfish ways I'd prefer they remain underground, as success often ruins bands like this with promises of mainstream acceptance. Epica are a band of true integrity, both in their music and image. I strongly recommend those new to Epica to seek out their limited DVD, We Will Take You With Us. You will fall in love with the band instantly. Back to The Divine Conspiracy: this record is somewhat heavier and darker than previous outings, and slightly more progressive. A little less classical influence, with more tinges of symphonic style black metal than before. Just gorgeous music. One can envision Simone Simons in full medieval gothic attire standing atop some misty Carpathian mountain belting her heart out w/ Mark and company positioned behind her snarling viciously as they feed a whirlwind of metal fervor swirling into the twilight sky. Free Music Review: They did it again
Hit: 5 Stars
Epica never fails to impress me.Despite their short career of "only" three albums,they get better and better!The Divine Conspiracy has it all,and their sound is heavier on this album.Simone's vocals are developing with each year,their choir truly rocks and they have a beautiful orchestra.This is the best symphonic metal album of 2007!So much better than Nightwish's last effort anyway.If you like the genre,you'll love this album!