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Epica - Consign To Oblivion CD (album) cover

CONSIGN TO OBLIVION

Epica

 

Progressive Metal

3.65 | 77 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Half-star to Masterpiece ...

What I have in my mind so far is that Epica plays power metal music and I did not pay particular attention to its releases. Yes, I bought the CD of the later album "Divine Conspiracy" and now I am shocked having this album which in fact was released long time ago. It matters to me because some of the music reminds me to Haggard's "Tales of Ithiria" which I have adored so far. Other parts of the music remind me to Kamelot.

Well, I don't wanna talk some more about who the band is as I assume that most of you are fully aware about it and if you aren't ...easy man...just click your computer and ask Dr Google to explain it. What I really wanna do in this write-up is to share with you about the outcome, not really the output of the music. frankly, I really want to do differently in my review style as I have been - in so far - focus more on the output, i.e. the quality of the music instead of what I feel about it. Why do I need to do it differently? Because that's what lacking so far - there have been many reviews that concentrate ore on quality, eg. the musical composition as well as the musicians' performance in the album. That's all about the output. Quality output does not directly correspond to good outcome. How come? I give you a simple example. No one would argue on the quality of classical music, especially with those made by top-class composer such as Beethoven, Mozart, Thcakovsky (spelling?). For me personally, classical music does not satisfy my needs in terms of my feeling towards the music. Why? Simple. So far, classical music is like a lobby music - i.e. the music that frequently played at the hotel lobby. The circumstances and nuances where I listen to the music do not support me to have a special feeling about the music. Music is emotion ...

Let's see this Consign to Oblivion

Easy to Digest. That's the first reaction from me the first time I played this album. Oh man ... I love the orchestral piece "Hunab Ku (1:45) the first time I listened to it and I could digest it very easily. That's probably my association with Kamelot's "Regalis Apertura" as an opening piece of "Forever" in Karma album. It's hard for me to differentiate which one I love most between this and Kamelot's "Regalis Apertura". But when the music enters to the next track "Dance of Fate" (5:13) there is a disconnected piece in between. That's OK because the second track is basically mind-boggling with its riffs as well as powerful female vocal that reminds me to Tarja Turunen (ex vocalist of Nightwish). My point is that the overall music of this album is easy to digest and makes me happy while listening to it.

Captivating. It's true. From the first time I played this album, I feel that the emotion created as result of listening to this album is really captivating and makes me energized even though there are segments or even songs with mellow style like the "Solitary Ground". I really enjoy this track having listened to the third track "The Last Crusade" which has higher energy than the second track. The band is successful in creating pieces of music that combines great choirs, poweful symphonic nuances combined with power metal riffs and excellent vocal. I enjoy the album from start to end and usually I keep repeating again because I want to restart from the beginning again.

Rich in Variety. Well, what I mean here is basically more on the singing style that combines female vocal, choirs and growling vocal. I do enjoy the one like "Force of The Shore". The growling vocal sounds really good and I sometimes replayed this song again. In general, Epica is excellent in combining the female vocal, metal riffs, orchestra arrangements and growling vocals. Oh.. I forget to tell you that all songs have a very solid melody that is memorable and makes you sing when you repeat the song for the second time. "Quietus" reminds me to the music of Rhapsody (of Fire).

All of the three things (the bold words) have made me energized when I listen to this album. That' means a lot to me because I can have high energy and keep myself motivated the whole day. That's what the music is for. In terms of outcome - how satisfied I am with the music - I would say this album is only half-star to masterpiece. Four and a-half stars and very highly recommended, especially if you have metal-mind. Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Gatot | 4/5 |

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