Customer Reviews

Phantom Agony

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm going to tell you a little secret. I like metal music. No that's not the secret. Hell, you all already know that. My secret is that even though I like metal music, the guitar is not my favorite instrument. Oh like guitars just fine but in metal music it just goes with the territory. What really gets my attention is any and all of the following things augmenting and enhancing, even overpowering the guitars.

Give me choirs, pianos, organs, violins, bells, cellos and great female singing. This is why I like the music of Therion, Within Temptation, Nightwish and Edenbridge to name a few.

Enter, Epica!

Epica is good! Epica is very good! Epica is magnificent, Epica is, well....Epic! Epica is a breath of fresh air in this genre of music I like to think of as the new wave of metal music for the new millennium. Not really better but a little different.

This is a highly melodic symphonic composition reminiscent of a historical movie score. Beware! A couple songs have raspy male vocals.

I never thought anyone would top Within Temptation until fellow Dutch band Epica came along. I'm still not sure they have but it's close. Epica is a new Dutch band following in the footsteps of two Dutch giants - Within Temptation and After Forever. Founder Mark Jansen is very familiar with After Forever since he was one of their founding members and a former guitar player. He left A.F. citing artistic differences. Like W.T.and A.F., Epica plays Symphonic Metal with a female singer, Simone Simons whose voice is pleasant enough but doesn't seem to have the power of some of the other European divas.

Phantom Agony

The first thing I notice about this album is that it reminds my of a musical score for a historical movie. I can see myself turning down the sound and playing this album whilst watching The Highwayman or the Count of Monte Cristo, emoting romance, tragedy and adventure.

Phantom Agony is also reminiscent of Therion's recent efforts, which is another reason I like the CD, with the intrinsic use of a choir of two sopranos, two altos, a tenor and a bass and a small orchestra of three violins, two violas, two cellos and a contrabass. Occasionally heavy, but never hard, keyboards and the orchestra play a more sifnificant role on this album than the guitars and that's fine with me.

Song/Track list
1] Adyta (The Neverending Embrace) (1:26)****1/2
2] Sensorium (4:48)****1/2
3] Cry For The Moon [The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV] (6:44)*****
4] Feint (4:19)****
5] Illusive Consensus (5:00)****1/2
6] Facade Of Reality [The Embrace That Smothers - Part V] (8:12)*****
7] Run For A Fall (6:32)****1/2
8] Seif Al Din [The Embrace That Smothers - Part VI] (5:47)****1/2
9] The Phantom Agony (8:59)*****
10]The Phantom Agony (4:34)***** single version

Out of necessity all songs have a similar sound and feeling so I will describe the highlights.

"Cry For The Moon" (The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV)
the songs starts out with Simone and is taken over by the choir, which is magnificent. The middle contains faster drums with a clever mixture of soaring violins answered by the choir. There are some male growls but it feels like it's part of a story. This is an intriguing song.

"Facade Of Reality" (The Embrace That Smothers - Part V) bombastic guitar and violin laden sounds prevail. The pieces of Latin lyrics and dark grunts give this song an epic quality. Halfway through the song becomes much slower and cello and violins support Tony Blair commenting on terrorism after the events of September 11th. Thereafter the pace gets back to normal.

"Phantom Agony", the title tracks uses recurring refrain consisting of short violin notes, the choir, the bass guitar and bass drums throughout this 9 minute epic masterpiece. The whispering in the beginning and ending adds a nice touch. The last couple minutes of this song is a good example of how this album feels like a movie score.

"Phantom Agony" single version is a bonus track on the ltd edition. It's about half as long as the epic version.

Conclusion

If you are under the impression that I like this album, good for you, you got that right. Now that you're on a role, you need to check this out and at least see why I'm so impressed. Why? Because you don't want to get the most important thing wrong, do you?

Similar bands

Within Temptation, After Forever, Therion, Nightwish, Penumbra, Orkrist, Tristania, The Sins of Thy Beloved, Sirenia

For many years the Heavy Metal world was missing the presence of talented women vocalists. Of course, we had the wonderful Doro Pesch and Lita Ford but others were clearly few and far between. However, the past several years have seen this void filled to a very satisfying capacity. We can now count on the existence of bands that are fronted by these amazing singers who add both beauty and grace to music as powerful and complex as their voices. Joining the ranks of Tarja Turunen (Nightwish) & Floor Jansen (After Forever) is Simone Simons of Epica.

Epica (formerly called Sahara Dust) have just released their debut effort entitled "The Phantom Agony" on Transmission Records. This CD is a very well crafted piece. As I listened to the CD, I was reminded of the singer named Annie Haslam who performed for the art/progressive band Renaissance back in the mid 70's. Of course I fear that I am dating myself with a reference such as this but the voices were very similar. When I brought it up with Simone of the band she told me that she had never heard of her before. Of course, Simone is only 18 years old. Yes, I said 18 and she sings like I have not heard in some time. She is also a very beautiful girl, so make sure to check out the pics on the site.

Of the 8 tracks on the there are a few who stick out as my favorites most immediately. They are "Sensorium", "Facade of Reality", and "Seif al Din". The number of tunes is by no means a reflection on the CDs length as the piece runs a little over 50 minutes. Not bad for a debut. The music is deftly performed by the group who combine haunting operatic chorals and spectacular metal skills. As a drummer I always listen to the drums, and really enjoyed the work by Jeroen Simons. He holds it together quite well. In addition to Simone's high pitched Arias there is the male vocal by Mark Jansen. He uses the growls so prevalent in a lot of Black Metal. At the same time he is providing some serious guitar shredding. After Forever fans might miss his playing, but I think they will enjoy his new band quite a bit. Epica, by the labels title of them is considered Epic Gothic Metal, yet it is not as gloomy as some Goth pieces I have heard. The opening sequence "Adyta" gives the feel of some religious service or foreboding chant as it begins with a very dramatic choir piece.

Packaging wise, the CD comes with a fully detailed booklet, lyrics and photos and some great artwork imagery. Like other releases, this comes in a limited-edition Ecobook version, but I did not have this for review purposes. I enjoy extensive liner notes and lyrics, especially in these high priced music retail markets and the listener should get the most for their money. As I described in my After Forever review, the fans of Nightwish will be able to enjoy this group since the music is similar enough to be appreciated by them, however it is different enough to be enjoyed as a totally separate entity. It is a group that I hope tours in the United States for I think they will be a welcome change.

Epica is:
Simone Simons - Mezzo - Soprano
Mark Jansen - Guitars, Grunts, and Screams
Ad Sluijter - Guitars
Geon Janssen - Synths & Piano
Yves Huts - Bass
Jeroen Simons - Drums and Percussion

There are also some considerable Orchestrations as the band employs Violins, Cellos and Violas on the CD. There is also an Epica choir. The list of contributors on that end was too vast for me to provide, so please refer to the band site.

Epica Official Site: www.epica.nl

I'm a very fan of After Forever, Tristania, Theatre Of Tragedy and Therion among other "similar" bands. I don't want to say they look or play like each other; actually they all have their own sound, their own style of playing, writing lyrics and so on. When I say similar, I mean they all make amazingly beautiful music!

I took notice of Epica when knew that Mark Jansen left After Forever. So I listened to some samples from their official site (www.epica.nl) - after that I was sure I had to buy their album. The lyrics are meaningful and deep; the instruments are very well played; the choirs create a haunting atmosphere and the vocals from Simone Simons and Mark Jansen make an excellent contrast. They deserve more than five stars.

So, I recommend "The Phantom Agony" for everyone that appreciates one or more of the aforementioned bands. You'll not be disappointed.

I hate comparing bands, but Epica definitely should be in your collection. This album is THE most rewarding and enjoyable.

Mark Jansen has really left After Forever behind, this CD surpasses their best "Prison of Desire". A notable difference for me is the subject matter and atmosphere. You can't help feel an Islamic undertone rather than Catholic. I hope the average listener can appreciate a reaction to terrorism, and the beautiful art that comes out of this. In the least, expect a strong meaning and message behind great compositions.

This CD is a relief because ANYONE can enjoy it, even those new to the genre.
+ Best writing I've heard in a B&B band
+ The singer Simone Simons is very talented, strong and capable for carrying the band further.
+ The chants, like the whole album, are light and calming, not fast and overused.
+ The high/low growls are fitting for the subject matter, set the tone for many songs, and as always illuminate the singer.
+ Memorable songs "Cry for the Moon", "Feint" and "Phantom Agony" (which took awhile to appreciate) among others.
- The only complaint is the poor word choice in "Seif al Din".

I won't rate the songs because EVERY song is GREAT--BUY IT! (yes that implies supporting the band, not pirating)

Every now and then a band simply takes my breath away, and they quickly enter the hallowed halls of my top favorites. While Iron Maiden will ALWAYS hail from the very top position, others, like Nightwish, Blind Guardian, Kamelot, and Symphony X, proudly sit in the second tier. This new Dutch band, Epica, has now joined the ranks with their debut album, The Phantom Agony.

Mark Jansen left his old band After Forever to form Epica last year. And if you liked After Forever, you will love Epica, as he has taken all the beloved elements of AF and added more operatic elements for a more <ahem> epic sound. His main female lead singer, the very sexy and charismatic Simone Simons (yes, that is her on the front cover), has a voice very much like Tarja Turunen of Nightwish. She is another terrific mezzo-soprano who could easily hold her own on any opera stage. (To get the two of them on the stage together would be mind-blowing!)

Indeed this could rightly be dubbed "opera metal". Not only does it highlight the aforementioned operatic quality of Simone's voice, but Jansen has eloquently contrasted metal guitars with classical strings and a classically-trained choir. Furthermore, the lyrics all have a deep, emotional story-like quality to them.

Some people may actually have a little trouble with this album even if they are fans of Nightwish. Guitarist Jansen provides the extreme male vocals on the album (as he once did in AF), and some people want nothing to do with this type of singing. Two or three years ago I would have fully agreed with this assessment. However, I have recently come to have a strong appreciation for this element of European metal. In this case, Jansen's growls provide a wonderful counterpoint to the beautiful and ethereal vocals of Simons. They play off each other magically, almost like necessary opposites: like yin and yang, or night and day, or good and evil.

And this brings me to my final point. Much like After Forever, the lyrics have incredible depth that touch so many levels of the human experience, especially religion, politics, and philosophy. (Jansen himself studies psychology at the University of Maastricht). These are not your typical American "sex, drugs, and rock & roll" lyrics; nor do they dwell on the subjects of relationships or teen angst. To borrow that old phrase, they seem almost like "a puzzle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma". As a great example I would draw your attention to track 6, "Facade of Reality". On the surface, it seems to be a simple lament of the events of September 11th, and how religious fanatics changed the world with fear and terror. But dig a little deeper and you might find it is also a comment on the lies and manipulation of the supposedly "good" world leaders like Bush and Blair and how they have also used fear and terror to their advantage.

Believe me, the music and lyrics are that incredible. I got this album just over two months ago, and I have yet to get sick of listening to it every day!

Usually when I first hear a band, I either like it or don't like it. And that's it. Even if I like it, it's not something I listen to constantly. It's very rare that I find a band that I can't stop listening to. Epica, however, is that band.

Words cannot explain how incredible this album is. The atmosphere portrayed on this opus is beyond imagination. The Phantom Agony has probably the best vocals ever heard on an album. You'll start by hearing Simone's voice (Might I add: she's got the most beautiful voice I've ever heard in my life.), then comes the sound of a full choir singing in harmony. It gives this album a whole other dimension that you won't hear on most other metal albums.

Mind you, Epica doesn't create anything entirely new, but they take what you think of "gothic metal" to a whole different level. Many bands have mixed classical music in, but Epica pulls it off perfectly, and the classical influence is undeniable. The best phrase to describe this is "Opera metal".

So, if you're still reading this review, you're wasting your time when you could be out buying and listening to The Phantom Agony... truly a masterpiece and a cornerstone for the future of metal. And I don't see them wearing out their welcome any time in the future.

It pains me to see bands like this not getting the recognition they deserve. This album is just plain awesome. It has an epic scope to it that makes it seem like a soundtrack. It's refreshing to see bands coming about that take classical elements and use them with metal. This is a stand-out album in a sea of Gothic mediocrity. It reminds me of Nightwish in a way, but there are more choir and orchestra here. The album takes you on a wonderful ride. If you're new to Gothic or metal music, you might find some of the male guttural singing a bit annoying, but I like to think it complements the soft female voice---plus it's just one of the many aspects of metal singing. Don't miss this album. It's a winner!

I'm going to tell you a little secret. I like metal music. No that's not the secret. Hell, you all already know that. My secret is that even though I like metal music, the guitar is not my favorite instrument. Oh like guitars just fine but in metal music it just goes with the territory. What really gets my attention is any and all of the following things augmenting and enhancing, even overpowering the guitars.

Give me choirs, pianos, organs, violins, bells, cellos and great female singing. This is why I like the music of Therion, Within Temptation, Nightwish and Edenbridge to name a few.

Enter, Epica!

Epica is good! Epica is very good! Epica is magnificent, Epica is, well....Epic! Epica is a breath of fresh air in this genre of music I like to think of as the new wave of metal music for the new millennium. Not really better but a little different.

I never thought anyone would top Within Temptation until fellow Dutch band Epica came along. I'm still not sure they have but it's close. Epica is a new Dutch band following in the footsteps of two Dutch giants - Within Temptation and After Forever. Founder Mark Jansen is very familiar with After Forever since he was one of their founding members and a former guitar player. He left A.F. citing artistic differences. Like W.T.and A.F., Epica plays Symphonic Metal with a female singer, Simone Simons whose voice is pleasant enough but doesn't seem to have the power of some of the other European divas.

Phantom Agony

The first thing I notice and like about this album is the increased use of a choir. This is probably to make up for the loss of a top notch soprano such as Floor Jansen. As much as I like Floor, I like this new direction.

Phantom Agony is also reminiscent of Therion's recent efforts, which is another reason I like the CD, with the intrinsic use of a choir of two sopranos, two altos, a tenor and a bass and a small orchestra of three violins, two violas, two cellos and a contrabass. Occasionally heavy, but never hard, keyboards and the orchestra play a more sifnificant role on this album than the guitars and that's fine with me.

Song/Track list
1] Adyta (The Neverending Embrace) (1:26)****1/2
2] Sensorium (4:48)****1/2
3] Cry For The Moon [The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV] (6:44)*****
4] Feint (4:19)****
5] Illusive Consensus (5:00)****1/2
6] Facade Of Reality [The Embrace That Smothers - Part V] (8:12)*****
7] Run For A Fall (6:32)****1/2
8] Seif Al Din [The Embrace That Smothers - Part VI] (5:47)****1/2
9] The Phantom Agony (8:59)*****
10]The Phantom Agony (4:34)***** single version

Out of necessity all songs have a similar sound and feeling so I will describe the highlights.

"Cry For The Moon" (The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV)
the songs starts out with Simone and is taken over by the choir, which is magnificent. The middle contains faster drums with a clever mixture of soaring violins answered by the choir. There are some male growls but it feels like it's part of a story. This is an intriguing song.

"Facade Of Reality" (The Embrace That Smothers - Part V) bombastic guitar and violin laden sounds prevail. The pieces of Latin lyrics and dark grunts give this song an epic quality. Halfway through the song becomes much slower and cello and violins support Tony Blair commenting on terrorism after the events of September 11th. Thereafter the pace gets back to normal.

"Phantom Agony", the title tracks uses recurring refrain consisting of short violin notes, the choir, the bass guitar and bass drums throughout this 9 minute epic masterpiece. The whispering in the beginning and ending adds a nice touch. The last couple minutes of this song is a good example of how this album feels like a movie score.

"Phantom Agony" single version is a bonus track on the ltd edition. It's about half as long as the epic version.

Conclusion

If you are under the impression that I like this album, good for you, you got that right. Now that you're on a role, you need to check this out and at least see why I'm so impressed. Why? Because you don't want to get the most important thing wrong, do you?

For those of you who have never experienced this genre of music but would like to give it a try, this would be an excellent place to start.

Requisites; a] a love of melodious symphonic music, b] a classical orientation, c] an open mind on gruff male vox(not unlike in an opera), d] some heavy metal influences.

Similar bands

Within Temptation, After Forever, Therion, Nightwish, Penumbra, Orkrist, Tristania, Thy Sins of Thy Beloved, Sirenia

In my opinion, this is one of, if not the greatest album in the gothic metal genre.
The music is heavy, and yet very melodic. My favorite song from the Album is cry for the moon. The song starts of with a part hummed by Simone, and then the choir kicks into full force; the effect is beautiful, and almost magical. The only thing I can say is, if you are thinking of buying the album you should, in fact anything by Epica is great.

I got this back in 2004. Then in 2005 I got CtO and then this year on Sept 29th I went and saw Epica live. Folks if you ever wanted to listen to a great metal CD this is it. Simone shines with her singing. The guiters are heavy. The drums are heavy. The keyboards a great Epica is my top band. I enjoy everthing about there music.