EpicaEpica Vs. Attack On Titan Songs

It seems an unlikely combination but Epica’s legendary brand of symphonic metal reimagined by the influence of popular Japanese animation has happened, and it really is a mixed bag of tricks.

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Inspired by songs from the popular Japanese anime series of the same name, Attack On Titan is quite the sonic offering–but have Epica stretched their ambition too far?

The Dutch sextet are seemingly going all out to push their well-known intensity of melody with some very ambitious choral and orchestral arrangements beneath some, at times, eccentric punches of metal. Is there a narrative we’re missing here? Likely, but given the explosive and discordant nature of opener Crimson Bow & Arrow and how that track plays out, it’s hard to imagine otherwise.

… points for creativity, ambition and bravery to Epica. Only they could do something this far out there.

You should get some snacks ready because with the majority of the songs pushing the six minute mark it’s quite an undertaking to get through this release, and it’s not always worth the effort. Wings Of Freedom, however, hammers out some gloriously regal sounds, the perfect accompaniment to vocalist Simone Simons’ impressive range and is remarkable as the album’s stand out track.

Ultimately however, the hellish deviance of character from the anime influence can sometimes be overlooked because of Epica’s sonic prowess. There’s symphonic metal, and then there’s this; a caterwauling effort at several divisive elements of metal that never quite seem to make sense–but points for creativity, ambition and bravery to Epica. Only they could do something this far out there.

STAND OUT TRACKS: Wings Of Freedom, Dedicate Your Heart, Crimson Bow & Arrow (Instrumental)
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