Put that nice cinematic sheen over all that and you have a bloated, blockbuster symphonic melodic death experience. Prior to this, I’d say the metal was at best, secondary at worst, an afterthought. I would say they excel at neither, cause what they ended up creating here was as palatable as whatever Disney can cook up.ĭesign Your Universe showed an increased proclivity for aggression, no doubt helped by new acquisitions in two ex-God Dethroned members, Delahaye and van Weesenbeek. The band tries to be two things at once: a grandiose, epic symphonic band and a potent, pseudo-progressive melodic death one. Secondly, if it weren’t for the overabundance of theatrics, I’d be complaining about the overcompensation of melodic death. They try to play to their strengths: Simone’s range is vast and her voice is wonderfully expressive, while Jansen took the old After Forever formula and Kekkei Genkai’d the shit out of it. Or if I’m more in the mood for him, I’ve got to bear with endless operatic or choir wailing. So if I want her, I have to put up with him and his grunts. Simone lures you in Mark won’t let you leave. What's strange, however, is how it'll come across as me shitting on it.įirst point of contention - I’m in love with Simone Simons, but she’s not the centerpiece. Along with Delain’s April Rain, it’s responsible for breaking my barrier of elitism toward female singers. This brings me to Design Your Universe, the first Epica album I ever heard. Coming from the same country where their peers, Delain, streamlined the symphonic metal process, it makes bands like this slogs to get through. They’re way too arrogant to rein it in at this point. When I want to hear them, it always comes with a caveat – do I have the patience for it? Considering how entry-level metal they are, they write pretty overblown songs. Of all the bands I listen to, I’m probably most conflicted over Epica.