Review by Stephen Pedicino
Design Your Universe is the fourth full length album from Epica. With After Forever calling it quits months ago, this band is now the primary producer of gothic symphonic metal from the Netherlands. In my eyes they have a huge responsibility. But regardless, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect going into this album. Would Epica make a regurgitation of past material? Would they go commercial? Would they create something that would blow all of 2009’s symphonic metal out of the water? Only one of these questions has an answer of yes. “Samadhi” is the predictable symphonic prelude. It has no surprises, but does get you in the mood for the eighty minutes that lie ahead...
“Resign to Surrender” has the typical beginning of the Epica we know. Horns and strings glide over the synchronicity of palm-muted guitars and double bass drumming. It seems like the usual affair until a brute rhythm accents a growled refrain from Mark Jansen. Epica are flexing some muscle here! And what is that at 3:45? A guitar solo?! Yes, my ears don’t deceive me! Epica have now added the concept of the guitar solo to their arsenal. “Resign to Surrender” is a kinetically crisp opener that introduces a few new things. The great thing is…things only get better.
“Unleashed” was shot for a video. It’s more accessible, but still offers as much integrity as any other track. No element of Epica is sacrificed aside from the harsh vocals. It’s a great song and an even greater example of advertising without compromising to commercial standards (the video is nearly six minutes long). The song also shows that Simone Simons has added another dimension to her voice. She’s evolved from an angel to a full-fledged vocalist. Her clarity and range have both improved, allowing her to put more emotion into her performance. This is the exact same evolution Floor Jansen underwent with the deceased After Forever. If you listen closely, you will notice a resemblance between the two (although Floor has a bit more soul and depth in her voice).
If you’re not convinced just yet, the sizzling inception of “Martyr of the Free Word” clarifies that Epica aren’t fucking around. This band is bigger, faster, and stronger than ever. The guitars definitely play a more forceful and creative role than on prior albums. The addition of guitarist Isaac Delahaye might have something to do with this. Regardless, it is a nice improvement for the band. Mark Jansen’s growls are great as always and play a significant role in Design Your Universe. They have always been tasteful, so it irks me when people say his vocals should be cut. Epica are partially gothic metal, and growls have been an element of gothic metal for years. Simone easily takes 75% of the microphone anyway, so I don’t see the reason for people’s bitching. Drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek has undoubtedly been a great addition after debuting on The Divine Conspiracy. He’s very versatile and carries each song perfectly, filling in all the spots when needed. Everything about this album is vast, from to the production to the lush array of instruments. The choir is small yet mighty and always fits where appropriate. They sing in both Latin and English.
Trying to describe the choir-laden “Kingdom of Heaven” wouldn’t do it justice. This thirteen and a half minute rollercoaster ride will leave you awestruck. All I’ll say is that it’s my favorite “song” from an album that could very well be considered perfect. The interlude “The Price of Freedom” is a collection of historical sound bytes layered with a tense piano and strings…I never thought I’d hear Malcolm X or Barack Obama on an Epica album, but golly gee was I wrong. “Burn to Cinder” is a more conventional prog/power track that delivers another quality guitar solo near its end. Mark Jansen and Isaac Delahaye are shredding it up like Yngwie!....(ok, not quite)
“Tides of Time” is a pretty song. Simone’s vocals start as graceful whispers and then soar towards the end, all in the gentle caress of orchestral keys. It’s the same ballad that has been on every Epica album, yet it feels different. I think it’s because Simone is less operatic and the arrangement is more casual. Her terrific mezzo-soprano style still weaves its way in; she just has a more balanced delivery now. “Semblance of Liberty” owns. Its dynamic guitars and harsh refrain might render it the heaviest song ever by Epica. Ariën Van Weesenbeek does a particularly powerful drum job here. You’ll hear more sound bytes near the end; this time from George Bush senior giving his famous anti-tax speech. It explains the point of the lyrics, being that some are enslaved by a false sense of freedom (particularly America). The soft “White Waters” conveys great imagery, and not just with keyboards. The song is very multi-layered and has guest vocals from Sonata Arctica’s Tony Kakko, making it into a pseudo-romantic duet between him and Simone. His contribution is just as fitting as Roy Khan’s on “Trois Vierges” from Consign to Oblivion. If you’ve heard the song, you know that’s a good thing.
And now for the nine and a half minute title track, “Design Your Universe.” I suppose the thirteen minute “Kingdom of Heaven” just wasn’t enough to satisfy Epica’s obsession with epicness. The lyrics coincide with everything the album has already expressed (humanity needs to get its shit together before being destroyed by avarice…alright, we get it already!). The song itself teeters between heavy and light…melodic and solemn…you couldn’t ask for a better definition of the band. A staccato choir is fabulously used to dramatize the music, as the song is one you will hear and feel. The piano and sobered vocals at the end really give a sense of anguished yearning. Simone is freakin’ amazing. The title track “Incentive” is shorter and heavier, sung only by Mark Jansen. The guitar solo near the end is the best on the album. Are we done?....shit I guess we are.
Design Your Universe is an intensified performance by Epica. It is also their best work to date. The guitars are more aggressive, the instrumental melodies are more remarkable, and all the songs are more diverse. I can’t really cite any weaknesses. This is 79 minutes of symphonic iridescence engulfed in drama and passion. If you love female fronted metal, there is no excuse to neglect this cd. Epica have now pulled in front of the competition. It will be very interesting to see if bands like Therion and Nightwish can match the caliber of this masterpiece.