EPICA

Breaking their cycle of two year gaps between albums, Dutch metallers Epica return with 'Requiem for the Indifferent', a successor to 2009's 'Design Your Universe'. In true formulaic fashion and somewhat predictably, proceedings open with a short piece of orchestrally filmic, choir adorned music. Would it be an Epica album without one? At the very least, they'd be thwarting fans' expectations without such but it segues efficaciously into first song 'Monopoly on Truth' so at least it doesn't feel disjointed from the rest of the album. However, what is disjointed on occasion in some of the tracks that follow is the disparate parts that constitute the songs. Epica have become known, and respected, for a progressive mentality within their arrangements to both supplement and enhance the other staple facets of their sound so symphonic-infused passages, power metal surges, extreme metal flirtations and even their balladic leanings have always felt rather fresh in the context of their innovative approach. That innovative, progressive aptitude unfortunately seems to be working against some of the songs rather than in their favour this time around. Don't get me wrong though, this is by no means a bad album per se - in fact, it's probably the best sounding album production/mix-wise the band have released - rather Epica have set such a high standard for themselves that it pales against some of their previous work, primarily for the incongruence of sonic disparity between certain songs' stylistic deviations. When they nail it, such as with the aurally engaging, heavier numbers 'Internal Warfare' and 'Stay the Course', Epica's songwriting prowess shines and they're balladically on form with the richly melodic 'Delirium' and 'Deep Water Horizon' but elsewhere like the title track, 'Deter the Tyrant' and lengthy closer 'Serenade of Self-Destruction' the flow somehow seems a little contrived and forced rather than natural. On the positive side, the musicianship is of the expected high level throughout and Mark Jansen's growled singing is generally offset well against Simone Simons technically skilled vocal delivery (albeit occasionally lacking power at the high end of her voice and a little bland here and there). Overall, 'Requiem for the Indifferent' is not classic Epica, and nor is it overly successful in its progressive dynamic, but there's still enough here to satisfy the band's dedicated fanbase.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Nuclear Blast

Album

REQUIEM FOR THE INDIFFERENT

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

72:52

RELEASE DATE:

9th March 2012

TRACK LISTING

1) Karma; 2) Monopoly on Truth
3) Storm the Sorrow; 4) Delirium
5) Internal Warfare
6) Requiem for the Indifferent
7) Anima
8) Guilty Demeanor
9) Deep Water Horizon
10) Stay the Course
11) Deter the Tyrant
12) Avalanche
13) Serenade of Self-Destruction

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Netherlands

"...'Requiem for the Indifferent' is not classic Epica, and nor is it overly successful in its progressive dynamic, but there's still enough here to satisfy the band's dedicated fanbase."