Dutch female-fronted metallers EPICA have posted the first in a series of studio clips for their forthcoming new album, The Quantum Enigma. The album is due on May 5 in Europe and May 13 in North America via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to Requiem For The Indifferent was produced by Joost Van Den Broek (the former AFTER FOREVER and AYREON keyboard player who has previously worked with REVAMP and STREAM OF PASSION).
Says EPICA guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen: “[I] have been listening to our new album and I can’t get enough of it! It sounds more modern but with all typical EPICA elements inside. Refreshing might be the right word. This album has also been the result of a real group effort.
“It was great to see everyone being so motivated to create our best album! Even though the sound is more heavy (the guitars, bass and drums sound so brutal!!!), it’s still a very catchy album as well. Some old influences from our earliest work, some references to Design Your Universe and some new elements. [I] can’t wait ’till the moment you’ll be able to listen to our newborn which makes us all very proud!”
EPICA will return to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release performance at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands.
After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, Retrospect, as well as the writing and recording of the band’s upcoming album, the sextet will put on a memorable concert, with plans to perform both old and new songs.
The Quantum Enigma will be released in five different configurations:
01 – Regular jewel case
02 – 2CD digipack
03 – 3CD earbook
04 – double vinyl
05 – Digital download
The Quantum Enigma track listing:
1. Originem
2. The Second Stone
3. The Essence of Silence
4. Victims of Contingency
5. Sense Without Sanity (The Impervious Code)
6. Unchain Utopia
7. The Fifth Guardian (Interlude)
8. Chemical Insomnia
9. Reverence (Living in the Heart)
10. Omen [The Ghoulish Malady]
11. Canvas of Life
12. Natural Corruption
13. The Quantum Enigma (Kingdom Of Heaven Part II)
Digipack additional track: “In All Conscience”
Earbook additional track: “Dreamscape”
Vinyl additional track: “Memento”
iTunes additional track: “Banish Your Illusion”
Disc 2 (digipack and earbook only):
1. Canvas Of Life [acoustic version]
2. In All Conscience [acoustic version]
3. Dreamscape [acoustic version]
4. Natural Corruption [acoustic version]
Disc 3 (earbook Only):
1. Originem [instrumental]
2. The Second Stone [instrumental]
3. The Essence of Silence [instrumental]
4. Victims Of Contingency [instrumental]
5. Sense Without Sanity [instrumental]
6. Unchain Utopia [instrumental]
7. The Fifth Guardian [instrumental]
8. Chemical Insomnia [instrumental]
9. Reverence [instrumental]
10. Omen [instrumental]
11. Canvas Of Life [instrumental]
12. Natural Corruption [instrumental]
13. The Quantum Enigma [instrumental]