Certainly one of the biggest names in the symphonic metal genre at this point, Epica doesn’t need much of an introduction. Aspiral is the group’s ninth full-length album, and it continues to build upon the band’s notably cinematic sound and give it some slight tweaks to keep the formula fresh. While the formula mostly stays the same as more recent albums, they keep finding ways to up the ante to make the songs sound just as bombastic and thrilling as anything else they have done.
The one noticeable difference that seems to be present for Aspiral is that the songs are a bit on the shorter side for the most part (for Epica at least). It’s something that does work in the band’s favor, as they have managed to successfully condense their exhilerating and full-bodied feel into a more compact timeline without making it feel too compressed. Opener “Cross the Divide” is a great example of that. From the glorious, keyboard-drenched melodic death metal riffing and toe-tapping keys, it captures that same sense of wonder and fun that Epica have made a name for themselves off of, but at a sleek 4-minutes, it feels like a ripper of a song. The driving energy seems more intense, but it never loses that playful and errr, epic sound the band strives for. “T.I.M.E.” has that same sentiment later in the album, but works the groovier side of things more, making it a playground for Simone Simons’ vocal performance to layer on top of. The blistering switch into more power metal-esque terrritory at the chorus is mesmerizing. For more of Simons’ vocal flexing, you can check out the more melodic and slower (yet still massively groovy) “Obsidian Heart” or the sentimental closing ballad of the title track, which ends things on a soaring yet tempered/reflective note.
But for those seeking more complex fireworks, there’s another trilogy of tracks for you to dive into, which are the longest cuts on the album, in the form of tracks VII to IX for the “A New Age Dawns” series. “Darkness Dies in Light” (VII) is the longest cut on the album and it never lacks for audio spectacle. Stirring chants, visceral roars from guitarist Mark Jansen as well as some speedy shred offers plenty of contrast for the band to use as their progressive metal showcase. “Metanoia” (VIII) opens more dramatically with choirs and strings leading the way before the energy builds to an explosion of groovy riffs and blasts before settling into an appropriately melodic chorus. “The Grand Saga of Existence” (IX) utilizes an almost folk-y vibe to it’s bombast, and feels like the most playful of the trilogy of tracks and it’s an absolute joy to hear how it builds up to some furious blastbeats later on.
Epica continues to be at the forefront of the metal scene because of their ability to write thrilling songs that capture the imagination as much as they provide a sonic rush. Aspiral showcases those very abilities at their finest and is sure to be a hit with longtime fans as well as those who happen to dive into them for the first time. Epica has yet to disappoint.