Epica - The Divine Conspiracy (2007 Retail)

This is Epica's newest studio album and it marks the defining moment in their young careers (At the moment at least). The band's drummer of several years had left and for this 3rd/4th official studio album, Arien Van Weesenbeek of God Dethroned steps into Jeroen Simons' shoes. This album clearly marks a slight change in direction in the band's sound. The sound is more veering towards Progressive Symphonic Metal and there are parts in songs like Fools of Damnation and the album's title track where the sound strays away from the Symphonic Metal subgenre of Metal into more Progressive tendencies. Also, the album's extremely nice use of synthesizers, symphonic arrangements and choral vocals create a contrast between Mark Janssen's coarse and extreme brutal growls and the band's constant use of "Death Metal breakdowns". This album is no normal Symphonic Metal album, this album sets the band far apart from the competition and is most definitely, the most complete and best Epica release yet.
(review by King of Loss)