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:	04/18/2025
Label:	NUCLEAR BLAST
UPC:	0727361412920

Album Credits

Performance Credits

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

Technical Credits

Sascha Paeth   Composer,Lyricist
Simon Oberender   Editing,Engineer
Arien Van Weesenbeek   Composer,Lyricist
Amanda Somerville   Composer,Engineer,Lyricist,Producer
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
Joost Van Den Broek   Adaptation
Yves Huts   Composer,Lyricist,Orchestral Arrangements
Mark Jansen   Mixing,Composer,Lyricist,Adaptation,Orchestral Arrangements
Coen Janssen   Composer,Lyricist,Adaptation,Orchestral Arrangements
Olaf Reitmeier   Editing,Engineer