Design Your Universe

by Epica

Overview

Dutch pomp-metal band Epica, fronted by classically trained mezzo-soprano Simone Simons, released their second album for Nuclear Blast only a year after their label debut, the more unique The Classical Conspiracy. That two-disc live set found them performing a mix of classical works and their own songs with backing by a full orchestra and choir. This album offers more of their bombastic goth metal songs, with Simons' vocals floating atop an ever flowing stream of complicated drumming, epic riffs, and shredtastic solos. The use of orchestral instruments to add John Williams-like climaxes is intermittently successful, but the music is just as frequently stripped down to an unaccompanied piano or to just the rock band, and that works, too. The very occasional interruption of male death growls is less necessary; frankly, the band should just let Simons do her Sarah Brightman-esque thing and keep the riffs cranking behind her. If you like this sort of thing (Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, After Forever, Leaves' Eyes, etc., etc.), or if you're a big Andrew Lloyd Webber fan, this is exactly the sort of thing you'll like. ~ Phil Freeman

Product Details

Release Date:	11/03/2009
Label:	Nuclear Blast
UPC:	0727361234522
Rank:	61987

Tracks

1. Samadhi (Prelude)
2. Resign To Surrender: A New Age Dawns, Part IV
3. Unleashed
4. Martyr of the Free Word
5. Our Destiny
6. Kingdom of Heaven: A New Age Dawns, Part V - Hold In Derision/Children
7. The Price of Freedom (Interlude)
8. Burn To a Cinder
9. Tides of Time
10. Deconstruct
11. Semblance of Liberty
12. White Waters
13. Design Your Universe: A New Age Dawns, Part VI

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Epica   Primary Artist
Coen Janssen   Synthesizer,Bass (Vocal),Baritone (Vocal),Piano
Amanda Somerville   Vocals (Background)
Linda Van Summeren   Soprano (Vocal)
Melvin Edmondsen   Bass (Vocal)
Tony Kakko   Vocals
Isaac Delahaye   Guitar
Previn Moore   Tenor (Vocal)
Olaf Reitmeier   Bass (Vocal),Baritone (Vocal)
Simon Oberender   Bass (Vocal),Baritone (Vocal)
Yves Huts   Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Epica   Producer,Adaptation
Simone Simons   Composer,Lyricist,Photography
Mickey Hart   Producer
Isaac Delahaye   Composer,Lyricist
Jos Driessen   Composer
Miro Rodenberg   Orchestral Arrangements
Jack Driessen   Composer,Lyricist
Jerome Bailly   Adaptation
Roberto Macri   Adaptation
Coen Janssen   Orchestral Arrangements,Composer,Lyricist,Adaptation
Olaf Reitmeier   Editing,Engineer
Simon Oberender   Editing,Engineer
Arien Van Weesenbeek   Composer,Lyricist
Amanda Somerville   Composer,Engineer,Lyricist,Producer
Sascha Paeth   Composer,Lyricist
Joost Van Den Broek   Adaptation
Yves Huts   Composer,Lyricist,Orchestral Arrangements
Mark Jansen   Mixing,Composer,Lyricist,Adaptation,Orchestral Arrangements