Aspiral
Epica start Aspiral with a song. That sounds like a fairly basic observation, but for a band that usually enjoy a proper orchestral introduction, it's a useful statement of intent. Cross the Divide gets straight into the guitars and gives Simone Simons a strong chorus to work with.
The album still has the scale you'd expect. The choirs, keyboards and heavy rhythm parts are all present, but the songs often give one element a clearer lead. That makes the arrangements easier to follow without taking away their character.
Arcana is an early highlight. Its darker mood and cinematic keyboards give the melody a strong setting, while Simons keeps the song firmly in focus. Her performance throughout the record is excellent, moving between registers with a control that makes the larger vocal moments feel natural.
Obsidian Heart makes particularly good use of that range. The voice carries much of the emotion, and the heavier playing gives it a solid foundation. Apparition goes further towards the metal side, with a forceful closing section that lets Mark Jansen's growls and the guitars take more of the space.
The three additions to the A New Age Dawns sequence provide the more progressive material. Metanoia, Darkness Dies in Light and The Grand Saga of Existence give the arrangements room to expand, with the different sides of the band more fully involved. They make a good counterweight to the shorter, more immediate songs.
Some of the symphonic choices bring Nightwish to mind, particularly on T.I.M.E.. The resemblance can be distracting, even though the playing and singing remain strong. Anyone looking for Epica's most demanding or aggressive record may also find the balance a little more welcoming than expected.
Aspiral succeeds through clear songwriting and a very good sense of proportion. The instruments still have plenty to do, but the songs give them a purpose. It's an accessible Epica album with enough detail to keep the more committed listener interested.
