REQUIEM FOR THE INDIFFERENT

With "Requiem For The Indifferent" Epica have finally succeeded in producing a goth-black metal album, that can compete with the legendary and brilliant Tristania album "Beyond The Veil". The album keeps up the ascending line and the band have matured into a true leading band. More than before the album has become a true groups project.

The music has become more versatile and daring than on their previous albums. The arrangements are much better balanced. There is room for (excellent) solos by Isaac Delahaye and Simone Simons sings better than ever. The production sounds a lot better than "Design Your Universe" which still had that over-compressed and ear-tiring sound, that is so characteristic for so many modern metal productions. This time both the compositions and the production are more profound. Every minute on the album is a true joy for the ear. The instrumental parts are varied and offer lots of great musical moments, alternated with the captivating dark and sometimes heavenly sounding choral arrangements.

The music on "Requiem For The Indifferent" has become much more complicated, but don't think there are no smash hits to enjoy, just listen to the catchy and overwhelming "Storm The Sorrow". The sound on the album is solid and heavy, but also knows moments of subtleness and beauty. Check out "Delirium" and the beautifully sung "Deep Water Horizon", which could well score as a hit as well.

The choral arrangements are perfectly balanced and make you forget the earlier mentioned "Beyond The Veil". If you listen to compositions like the concluding "Serenade Of Self- Destruction" which once more summons up the actual musical possibilities of Epica is, in my eyes, close to overproduction and Epica should do well in taking care not falling into the same trap as Therion. Fortunately the unequalled sound quality puts in its proper place again.

It has been a long time ago that I so much enjoyed an album in this genre and I think Epica have set a new standard with "Requiem For The Indifferent", in sound production, but especially in musical regards. The five stars are well deserved !

Erik de Beer

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