EPICA - The Phantom Agony
July 17, 2003, 21 years ago
(Transmission)
The new band from former After Forever guitarist/gruntmaster Mark Jansen, Epica is essentially After Forever with leanings towards Nightwish, Therion and Kamelot. Newcomer Simone Simons provides operatic vocals akin to Tarja Turunen, backed up by big choirs, symphonics, and occasional growls and screeches from Jansen. An even spread of balladic and up-tempo material, this outshines AF's last effort, Decipher. And yes, the band name was stolen from Kamelot's last album, in tribute.
