Epica - The Holographic Principle (2016) [Official Digital Download]

Fronted by the ever powerful voice of Simone Simons, Epica continues to mix sci-fi & gothic themes into its lyrics and music. In the case of The Holographic Principle, the band’s tone has shifted to the positive. Simons does her usual very capable job with her operatic vocals but spends more time singing in a crisp and clean conventional fashion than on previous releases. She shares the mic with guitarist/growler Mark Jansen to deliver a solid one-two vocal punch. Their voices are backed by one of the tightest bands active today: keyboard player Coen Janssen, drummer Arien Van Weesenbeek, guitarist Isaac Delahaye, and bassist Rob Van Der Loo. Their long time collaboration shows as their musical delivery is near perfect.

In the band’s own words The Holographic Principle explores “the very fibre of our reality” in a Matrix-inspired way. The album opens with the powerful mood piece “Eidola” – a track with lush keyboards and strong choral vocals that build in power as it progresses. The decidedly bouncy and upbeat “Edge of the Blade” features a wandering vocal pathway that goes from Simone’s soft and near-whispered clean singing to her full on operatic power, while Jansen’s guttural growls and fabulous choral vocals from the rest of the band provide a strong melodic counterpoint. “A Phantasmic Parade” features a good deal of Simone’s vibrant operatic range and plenty of Jansen’s growls. The Terminator/ kynet inspired “Universal Death Squad” is a full-on symphonic attack build on manic drums, thrashy guitars, and booming bass with plenty of over-the-top choral vocals mixed in. By this point the overall warmth and depth of Epica’s effort become truly apparent – they have moved away from synthesized instruments and toward “real” physical strings, brass, and winds – a noticeable sonic difference. “Divide And Conquer” features some great vocal back and forth between Simons and Jansen.

“Beyond The Matrix” is arguably the best track on the CD – a rolling, theatrical, triumphant tune that snaps from orchestral madness to vocal/bass Hard Rock and back – the essence of Epica. The band softens to violin and strings during the sweeping “Once Upon A Nightmare,” a track that allows the passion in Simone’s voice to shine – but quickly cranks the intensity back up while searching for answers to “The Cosmic Algorithm.” The darker, more Gothic side of Epica shows itself thanks to Mark Jansen’s superb growls on “Ascension – Dream State Armageddon”, and a brief spoken passage that sums up the story of the release. Middle Eastern and Asian overtones (thanks to some well done exotic instruments) make “Dancing in a Hurricane” unique – almost a folk metal tune, while “Tear Down Your Walls” rolls in some soft atmospheric touches before becoming an intense Symphonic/Progressive heavy rocker. The eleven minute plus epic “The Holographic Principle – A Profound Understanding Of Reality” sums up the album – running that gamut from choral chant to soft piano to bluesy guitars to … well, you get it.

As always, Epica seems to take the approach that bigger is better, and they thrive on throwing in everything into their music – including the proverbial kitchen sink. This at times sense of reckless abandon is what makes Epica what they are today – a fearless and unapologetic act that pulls no punches and always seems to be having fun as they perform. Vibrant vocals, excellent musicianship, maximum effort and a near perfect balance between orchestral majesty and metal swagger make Epica’s The Holographic Principle a winner!