REVIEW: Epica - Aspiral

The time has come! The symphonic metal giants Epica are back with their ninth studio album, entitled Aspiral. An anticipated release for many, including fans who initially got an early taste by hearing four new songs during The Symphonic Synergy concert at AFAS Live, Amsterdam, last September. But let’s not be greedy - as always the band was mindful to keep their audience fed by releasing not one but three singles ahead of the album: 'Arcana', 'Cross The Divide' and 'T.I.M.E.'. Following 2021’s Omega is not an easy task but Aspiral sets a different course. Stripping it down rather than always going higher, letting out a raw energy that is the essence of the band which is bound to make anyone curious and excited for this opus. 

Epica is known for its meticulously crafted concepts, and this release is no exception. The album, titled Aspiral, takes its name from a bronze sculpture of the same name created in 1965 by Polish artist Stanisław Szukalski. The sculpture represents themes of renewal and inspiration, fitting symbols for where Epica stands in 2025. Szukalski’s work is renowned for its intricate detail and layered meanings, a quality the band found deeply resonant during the making of this album. Each track carries its own weight and atmosphere, yet together they form a cohesive and powerful whole. This reflects the group’s own creative dynamic: a constant exchange of motivation, ideas, and artistic challenges. Much like the sculpture, the album’s lyrics trace a path from disorder and hardship to beauty and rebirth. To bring this vision into the visual realm, Epica collaborated with contemporary sculptor Hedi Xandt, who transformed their concept into a striking artwork. The result is both a bold artistic statement and a heartfelt tribute. This builds an exciting way into the songs themselves.

The album kicks off with 'Cross the Divide', a high-energy track that sets the tone with a touch of dissonance in the intro. An edge that subtly lingers throughout the song. It opens with melodic guitar work that quickly draws the listener in, before transitioning into punchier riffs and delicate keyboard layers during the verse. The chorus ramps up the tempo, delivering a burst of fun, catchy symphonic power metal. While it is unexpectedly different from the album intros we know from the band, it delivers a straightforward punch, an upbeat energy and lyrical momentum that builds as the track progresses. Its infectious hooks and vibrant arrangement make it an unmistakable single choice.

'Arcana' shifts the mood entirely with a smooth, delicate opening that gradually unfolds into a grand, theatrical soundscape. Slower in pace and deeply atmospheric, the track is driven by a darker orchestral arrangement evoking a gothic elegance throughout. The layers of its back choirs add a remarkable depth. From an eerie children's choir just before the chorus to haunting adult voices that open the song and return later, it reinforces the track’s dramatic flair. The vocals take centre-stage, amplified by an echoing effect that expands their emotional range and spatial presence while the instrumentation remains mostly in the background, subtly supporting the melody. Ariën Van Weesenbeek’s drums follow a slow, doom-inspired rhythm, dragging the tempo just enough to add weight and tension. As the song nears its finale it takes a darker turn with punchy guitar chords and fierce growls by Mark Jansen, culminating in an explosive, unexpected ending that leaves you stunned.

No time to catch your breath, next up is 'Darkness Dies in Light - A New Age Dawns Part VII', which brings in the 'A New Age Dawns' song series to this album. It begins with a bold, trombone-like intro that feels taken straight out of an epic adventure film, immediately setting a heroic tone. The track carries a strong fantasy flair, blending orchestral grandeur with a sense of narrative-driven urgency. Mark Jansen’s growls make a prominent return here, not just as accents but woven into the fabric of the song, shadowing the guitar lines and then rising to equal prominence alongside the Simone Simons’ clean vocals in the pre-chorus. A Latin-sung choir adds gravitas and ritualistic intensity, hinting at something ancient and powerful. Marked as part VII of the 'A New Age Dawns' saga, the track continues a storyline that began two decades ago with 'The Last Crusade (Part I)', as well as parts II and III, on the 2005 opus Consign to Oblivion. Since then we’ve encountered parts IV–VI in Design Your Universe (2009). With parts VII to IX appearing on this album, fans will finally get to embark on the new chapters of this musical odyssey. The instrumentation itself seems to span eras: what evokes an electronic harpsichord conveys baroque textures, while more subtle electronic elements also creep in toward the end, like echoes of the future meeting the past. As the longest song on the album, 'Darkness Dies in Light' stands as both a sonic journey and a narrative cornerstone - majestic, immersive, and steeped in Epica’s lore.

Next up, 'Obsidian Heart' takes a bold step deeper, showcasing a heavier, rawer sound than usual for Epica. The guitars are more prominent here, with djent-inspired riffs cutting sharply through the mix and giving the track a grinding, almost industrial edge. The rhythm is slow and deliberate, echoing the weight and melancholy of doom metal, while the instrumental remains dense and distorted throughout. This raw heaviness creates a striking contrast with Simone Simons’ clear and lyrical vocals that floats above the grit almost like light piercing through darkness. It’s this tension between aggression and elegance that defines the track, making it feel both unsettling and captivating. Just as the weight seems overwhelming, the song closes on a surprisingly delicate, bright note. A single, clear tone that leaves a lingering sense of resolution and contrast, like a glimmer of hope emerging from the shadows.

That leads us to 'Fight to Survive' which bursts in with an electronic intro full of static and distortion, channeling a gritty, cyberpunk aesthetic that immediately sets it apart. A megaphone-filtered voice and countdown “3, 2, 1, go!” feels tailor-made to ignite a live crowd. The track launches into a high-octane ride, blending aggressive riffs with industrial rhythms and video game-like energy. It’s chaotic in the best way, like the soundtrack to a futuristic rebellion, with a heavy breakdown that hits hard and challenges the listener. A blistering heavy metal guitar solo slices through the track, adding another layer of intensity. Stylistically, it’s a genre mashup that works melding electronic, metal, and cinematic elements into a thrilling anthem of resistance. And as the song reaches its climax, the shouted word “Fight!” rings out like a rallying cry, leaving no doubt about the track’s message or impact.

We take a breath into 'Metanoia' (Greek for 'Repentance') which feels like a spiritual centrepiece of the album, both musically and thematically. It opens with a plaintive violin line, delicate and emotive, accompanied by ethereal, soaring choir vocals that evoke a sense of celestial grace. The atmosphere is light, almost sacred, before the music descends into a powerful drop, unveiling the full scope of Epica’s signature sound. This track feels deeply connected to the band’s legacy, echoing the grandeur of the 'A New Age Dawns' series - not just in style but in substance. As one of the longest songs on the album, 'Metanoia' unfolds like a journey, with shifting moods, layered storytelling, and a cinematic arc creating a red thread that fans will recognize and appreciate. The song concludes with a soft landing like lightly picked chords and a final whisper of violin, leaving the listener with a feeling of closure, reflection, and emotional resonance.

You may know it but it will still surprise you, 'T.I.M.E' then stands out as one of the album’s most experimental and theatrical offerings. It opens with an unsettling moment, a child singing softly then suddenly screaming, setting an eerie and almost surreal tone. The guitars pick up the melody the child was murmuring, repeating it with a twisted, carnival-like flair that gives the intro a chaotic, circus-esque atmosphere. From there, the track explodes into a whirlwind of styles, pushing boundaries with dramatic shifts, blast beats, and unexpected rhythmic turns. It's progressive, intense, and unapologetically grand in scope. Mark Jansen’s extreme vocals make a commanding return here, roaring through the mix with raw power, making it his most prominent appearance on the album. This song feels like a descent into madness and revelation all at once, a theatrical spectacle that refuses to be boxed in, proving Epica’s relentless drive to evolve and explore new sonic dimensions.

reach 'Apparition' which delivers a tightly woven blend of atmosphere and heaviness, anchored by a Devin Townsend-like groove. The track flows with a hypnotic rhythm, balancing intricate instrumentation with an underlying pulse that keeps it grounded and compelling. There’s a sense of rising tension throughout, building toward an empowering finish where Mark Jansen’s growl tears through with the defiant line: “We will rise.” It’s a powerful closer to a track that feels both introspective and rebellious, embodying resilience through sound and spirit.

As we get closer to the end, 'Eye of the Storm' opens with a familiar vibe, reminiscent of classic Epica tracks like the beginning of 'Sancta Terra', but with an electrifying twist. The song starts with a fierce scream leading the charge, rather than the typical clear vocals we’re used to and this raw intensity remains present throughout the track. The song boldly ventures into melodic death metal territory, but keeps a perfect balance between ferocity and melody. The heaviness is unexpected and powerful, unfiltered and unedited.

Being the song before last, 'The Grand Saga of Existence' opens with a fairytale-like introduction, complete with twinkling sounds that evoke a sense of magic and wonder. The track feels like a journey through a fantastical realm, with its ballad-like structure and enchanting atmosphere drawing you into a world of imagination and timeless tales. It carries the air of a grand fantasy with the music’s delicate flow creating a sense of awe and reflection, making it one of the most dreamlike and otherworldly tracks on the album.

We come to a close with the title track, 'Aspiral'. It begins with a delicate and fluid intro, the soft tinkling of a light piano evoking a sense of calm and introspection. The vocals are ethereal and fragile, as if floating in a dream, with the voice serving as the central instrument, stripped down to its most raw form. As the track unfolds, a distant, spoken monologue from an older man echoes through, adding an air of nostalgia and memory like a moment frozen in time, playing out across layers of sound. The song slowly warps towards the end, with the sound distorting and bending, creating an otherworldly effect that mirrors the song’s themes of change, reflection, and transformation. It's a hauntingly beautiful closing track that feels like an elegy for a moment lost in the passage of time.

Aspiral is a versatile, accessible, modern and excellently produced album, on which Epica moves with the times without losing itself. For example, characteristic riffs, vocal melodies and orchestrations pass by that remind us of the early discography, but the epic company also applies elements from modern metal, such as breakdowns, in its compositions. Unlike any of their past albums, it has a sort of outro track, as opposed to ending with a longer track, and it also doesn’t have an intro, instead immediately throwing fans into the thick of things with an intense opening track.

Aspiral is a versatile, accessible, and modern album that showcases Epica’s growth while staying true to the essence of what has made them iconic. It’s a stunningly produced work that perfectly blends the band’s signature elements such as characteristic riffs, memorable vocal melodies, and lush orchestrations with fresh influences from contemporary metal. The album navigates through different styles proving the band’s ability to evolve without losing their identity. This approach makes Aspiral one of their most accessible records, yet it never compromises the depth, complexity, and epic storytelling that Epica is known for. In many ways, it feels like a culmination of their journey, a modern masterpiece that both reflects the past and embraces the future.

Score: 9/10

Aspiral will be released on April 11th 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Words: Lysandre Pons

Photo: Tim Tronckoe