Album Review: EPICA – Omega

February 24, 2021 | Reviewed By Nick Davarias

Epica are back with their latest album ‘Omega’! This marks the end of the bands ‘Kingdom Of Heaven’ series. The highly anticipated successor of the critically acclaimed album ‘The Holographic Principle’ which released way back in 2016. Epica’s 5-year wait for an LP saw the band release ‘The Solace System’ EP in 2017 and ‘Epica vs Attack On Titan Songs’ in 2018. Fans have been waiting for the new album patiently and I have been given the honour of receiving a copy early to review! So sit back, relax and read my thoughts on the new album.

The album starts with a beautiful instrumental track titled ‘Alpha – Anteludium’. The song is short and sweet and sets the mood for the story ‘Omega’ is about to tell. Almost a prolonged intro for ‘Abyss of Time – Countdown to Singularity’. The second track on the album wastes little time delivering the iconic Epica sound. A flurry of catchy riffs and delicate sympathy is what drives fans of the band crazy and this song has it in bucket loads! Simone Simons vocal power is out of this world and wouldn’t sound out of place in the Sydney Opera House. The changes in style from sweet, melodic bliss to heavy metal assault is something fans of the band have had the privilege of experiencing time and time again since 2002.

Following the powerful start to ‘Omega’ we have ‘The Skeleton Key’. This song demonstrates the band’s ability to blend Simone’s delicate vocals Mark Jansen harsh growls in a way very few bands can. The addition of a catchy and easy to remember chorus makes this song have so much potential to absolutely blow crowds away when Epica are finally able to tour again. Beware of the headbanging metalhead! ‘Seal of Solomon’ features a rhythm you just can’t help but to slam your neck back and forward to. Fair play Ariën Van Weesenbeek! On top of the awesome drumming, you will find an expertly crafted piece of music featuring orchestral esc singing and Coen Janssen’s Synth that makes the song sound larger than life!

‘Gaia’ creates a feeling of hope and togetherness which is exactly what most of us need in these gloomy times. The song is full of lyrics encouraging you to “Fight and stand strong” really help to boost your mental morale and reassure you that you’re not alone. A great message embedded inside an incredible piece of music. A very strong start to the album! As I hit the halfway point of the album I was greeted to “Code Of Life”. This song has a unique blend of styles throughout. I couldn’t help but notice an Asain like melody being created at times on the sympathy which worked incredibly well to leave this song stuck in my head for days. This is one of my standout tracks on the album.

Next up is ‘Freedom – The Wolves Within’. a song that wouldn’t sound out of place on broadway. The song sounds giant with the Orchestral choir featuring throughout. A larger than life experience expressing the importance of freedom. Not to mention the ripping riffs being played by Mark Jansen and Isaac Delahaye. Truly Impressive stuff once again!

Now the long one. ‘Kingdom of Heaven prt 3 – The Antediluvian Universe’ is the third and final Kingdom of Heaven song and comes in at an impressive 13:24! Epica have a real gift in their ability to make songs feel like triple-A movies! The change in tone and mood throughout the song create this image in your head, unlike anything you’ve experienced before. The ambience that Coen can produce on the synth at times would have me feeling like it’s my own personal backing track while I embark on Epica’s awesome adventure. I won’t talk much of lyrics as I feel as though the series is something you need to experience for yourself. The finale song of the series does not disappoint one bit! It may even be the best song on the entire album.

Continuing down the album ‘ Rivers’ offers a main of keys and melody with a side of optimism and meaning. The song explores the calm around us mixed with the uncertainty of the world. A truly beautiful piece of music that embodies everything Epica is known for. An incredible showcase of Simone’s vocal abilities as she completely transforms the song with the elegance and bliss her voice produces. A change in pace but a welcome one! The clam quickly fades into the storm as ‘Synergize – Manic Manif’ starts with high intensity and an in your face beat. I have no real complaint about this song but I just found it slightly below the rest of the album. The song is a decent effort that is surrounded by greats. Unfortunately, that makes it stick out that little bit more.

The penultimate song is ‘Twilight Reverie – The Hypnagogic State’ and it’s a return to the exceptionally high bar the rest of the album had set. A standout performance from Ariën on drums. I couldn’t help but repeat this one just to hear some of the fills and syncopated rhythms that feature prominently in this one. I highly recommend this one to anyone who has a passion for percussive instruments. It’s a strong build-up all culminating in the title track of the album. ‘Omega – Sovereign of the Sun Spheres’! The trumpets lead you forward towards your final destination creating a wonderful mental image once again. Then you are bombarded by fast bass and ferocious riffs that sound as if you’ve entered the final boss battle of a video game. The song is an absolute unit on its own and it wraps the album up perfectly. The use of the choir-like vocals create an overwhelming feeling of importance and leaves you hanging on every word sung. If there was ever a way this album had to end, THIS IS IT!

I think it’s pretty obvious that I really enjoyed this album. If I speak about the album musically, it’s a stunning display of symphonic metal at its highest quality. If I speak of the album subjectively it’s a marvel that kept me wanting to hear it over and over again. Epica has outdone themselves with ‘Omega’ and has once again pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible from them. I cannot recommend this album enough to anyone who is a fan of symphonic metal. This album is as close to a masterpiece as you can get.

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