Epica - Aspiral (2025)

Damn, it is the first word that comes to mind when listening to Epica’s latest effort “Aspiral”. Just when you think that a band can’t get any better, this Dutch outfit returns with eleven tracks and over an hour of some of their most explosive and bombastic music. Filled with signature Epica-style moments and tons of melody and catchiness, this release completely surpasses the level of awesomeness that the band delivered a few years back with “Omega”.

Instantly opening with the banger “Cross the Divide”, the band fully immerses the listener into their world of dramatic orchestrations, lush guitar work, and a very hectic and yet digestible pace that is masterfully led by Simone Simons talented vocals. In a very epic fashion, the band perfectly blends dramatic choirs with crafty tempo changes. Creating mesmerizing songs like “Arcana”, “Darkness Dies in Light - A New Age Dawns Part VII”, and the super bombastic and catchy “Fight to Survive - The Overdrive Effect”, one of their best tracks to date.

The band’s atmospheric elements create very engaging songs, like the eerie opening of “Metanoia - A New Age Dawns Part VIII” or the dreamy “T.I.M.E”. Carefully crafting a very cinematic and at times Ayreon-esque vibe, while still infusing the band’s signature tempo changes, heavy riffs, and Mark Jansen and Isaac Delahaye harsh vocals. Sticking to their fast-paced and yet melodic approach, there is palpable aggression that is nicely countered by delicate and fragile passages, as “Apparition” showcases.

Closing with the chilling album title track, we are left with a very beautiful and a bit bleak track that nicely wraps up a very impressive release. Overall, “Aspiral” is truly a cinematic listening experience that gets better with every listen. Epica has polished their sound to the point of near perfection and creating a collection of songs as impressive as these ones is always expected. It is all the extra details and the way they play with their influences and elements, creating different and engaging songs, that sets them apart from the rest.

Label: Nuclear Blast Records

Release: April 11th, 2025

Genre: Symphonic/Gothic Metal

Country: Netherlands