EPICA
Aspiral
Nuclear Blast
XL Review

EPICA are always looking to raise the bar on every new release and on album number nine they have not only done that, but they have crafted one of the most varied albums of their distinguished career. I must admit that getting to review an album by EPICA is a definite bucket list moment for me as they are my absolute favourite band and have been since I was handed a copy of their incredible debut album from the wonderful people at the now closed down Resurrection Records in Camden, London.

Formed in 2002 in the Netherlands by Mark Jansen as Sahara Dust, they changed their name to EPICA in 2003 after the Kamelot album and have had an amazingly stable line up for a band approaching 25 years in the game. They have always been a special band, right from the beginning and now they are considered an institution, pure heavyweights in a genre filled with the very best… let’s see what the new album has in store for us.

The album title “Aspiral” was derived from the famous bronze sculpture made by Polish sculptor and painter Stanisław Szukalski in 1965 and it stood for Renewal and Inspiration which are two very strong words that can be used to define EPICA in 2025. The fact that each song can stand strong on its own, whilst at the same time be part of something as monumental as this fantastic album, speaks wonders of EPICA’s ability to create amazing music.

“Aspiral” features stunning cover artwork by Hedi Xandt and was expertly mixed again by Joost van den Broek at Sandlane Studios.

The album opens with “Cross The Divide” which has a lovely fade in and build up before it explodes into life. The keyboards melody is both beautiful and catchy whilst the chunkiest riff really lays down the law. Simone welcomes us in with her siren-esque vocals and soon has us wrapped around her little finger as the catchiest chorus bursts forth and immediately gets stuck in your head, trust me, it will be there for days but they will be glorious days indeed.

“Arcane” slows things down for us with its broody opening. Simone lifts us up into her arms with her welcoming tones, it’s almost as if she is offering us a place to rest whilst she carries on casting her mesmerizing spell. This just draws us further in as the choirs build and the song slowly becomes darker until it switches to this wonderfully sinister sounding bit where Mark unleashes his deep growls to a backdrop of some nice heavy riffing.

We get three more songs in the “A New Age Dawns” saga with Parts VII, VIII and IX all appearing on the album and it is Part VII, “Darkness Dies In Light”, which is the first one up. The song weaves its magic, touching on songs and inspiration from throughout EPICA’s discography and is probably the most perfect song to play to anyone who wishes to hear and learn who EPICA are. Ariën’s drumming is phenomenal on the whole album, but I really love it on this track as he shows restraint when needed, but then also blasts us away with his power. The fills and flairs are amazing as they fill the song with this incredible energy which just keeps driving us forward.

“Obsidian Heart” sees EPICA delve into some very interesting progressive territory but in ways that only EPICA seem able to do. It’s a slow burning prog ballad if you will. They just have a signature sound, no matter what style they find themselves playing, it’s truly magical stuff.

“Fight To Survive – The Overview Effect” is another interesting new twist down EPICA lane as the band continues to push boundaries and try all sorts of new sounds. The metronome like groovy stomp that the song has will definitely see it become a fan favourite live.

This album is definitely more guitar focused than their previous effort “Omega”. Isaac and Mark, along with Rob on bass, are definitely all on fine form. The guitar work is stellar and really helps give the album a heavier feel overall.

Our next journey into the “A New Age Dawns” saga is via “Metanoia”, with its beautiful choir opening and slow build up with strings and symphonics before the rest of the band join in via another strong riff and some pounding drums. The back and forth between Mark and Simone is EPICA at their absolute best. Both vocalists have gotten better and better over the years with Simone sounding absolutely incredible on this album.

“T.I.M.E.” is definitely influenced by their time (hahaha, no pun intended) working on “The Ghost In Me (Danse Macabre)” which they did as part of a unique collaboration with Europe’s second-most visited theme park, the Netherlands’ magical Efteling. EPICA keyboardist Coen did an amazing job working his magic on “Danse Macabre”, which is originally a symphonic poem for orchestra, written in 1874 by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. “T.I.M.E.” has a similar feel, like it has been written as part of the Grand EPICA Opera… now that is something I would love to see.

“Apparition” strips things back to a more simple and straightforward EPICA banger with more awesome riffs and a fantastic solo, something I do wish we got more of if I was to find any faults on this album.

“Eye Of The Storm” is ferocious and one of my favourite tracks on this album full of gems. It’s catchy, heavy and has a great groove, another sure to be live favourite.

Our final foray into “A New Age Dawns” is “The Grand Saga Of Existence” and whilst my heart was hoping for another 15+ minute epic in the vein of “Kingdom Of Heaven”, at almost seven minutes it sits well with the rest of the album and is a definite highlight. This is definitely one of the most accessible EPICA albums, but they have done it without having lost any of the magic or EPICA essence that we have all come to love over the years.

The title track “Aspiral” brings the album to a close and it is a beautiful ballad which provokes a lot of soul searching whilst Simone softly sings us along, accompanied by the faint piano keys and a few strings, with the spoken word part by Stanisław Szukalski a nice touch. It is a perfect closer and will no doubt become the unintentional stand out track of the album.

EPICA never fail and this album is just more proof of that. It has been a wondrous journey so far and I can’t wait to see where they lead us next.

Russell Mulock-Bentley