Design Your Universe
Epica – Design Your Universe (2009)
EAC Rip | FLAC + CUE + LOG + COVER | Symphonic Metal, Progressive Metal, Gothic Metal | 557 MB
Label: Nuclear Blast | Released: 2009 | Catalog#: 2345 | Credits: Produced By – Sascha Paeth

“If you like your music with labels, then what EPICA play is progressive symphonic metal and they sure know how to deliver it. “Design Your Universe” continues in the same spirit as its predecessor only with even grander and more epic songs. Jansen shows that his capabilities in writing big compositions that can combine operatic vocals, growls, Gregorian chants, symphonic parts, death outbreaks, piano interludes (and the list goes on) hasn’t reached its peak. He is the maestro keeping the equilibrium among all those elements and the outcome shines bright, a fact that should also be granted to producer Sascha Paeth (Angra, Kamelot, Rhapsody, Avantasia) as well, who is a master in making power metal albums find their way. As for Simone Simons there is not much to say. She is a girl that could sing only with her image (you already knew that, didn’t you?), but her mezzo soprano voice and her alto outbreaks leave no room for doubts about her capabilities. Just listen to “Tides Of Time”, a superb ballad, or the magnificent “Our Destiny” that has some incredible vocals before its outburst – they will surely get you into their musical vision. As for the lyrics, this time they seem to touch more earthly issues like liberty and freedom which suits me better, hope it does the same for you. Whatever the lyrics are though, you can’t escape the fairytale concept that band carries with them. What makes EPICA even more attractive is that they don’t lack brutality despite their image and the presence of a woman behind the microphone. Jansen growls (not the best around, but fairly acceptable) and the band’s recent transfers, Isaac Delahaye/guitars and Arien Van Weesenbeek both from (God Dethroned) guarantee that death metal elements will haunt the majestic atmosphere.

Their live album that has just been released showed in the most emphatic tone that the band aims really high and beyond the typical heavy metal standards implementing choirs and symphonic orchestras in their music. EPICA is a band that progresses, evolves and becomes bigger with each attempt. “Design Your Universe” is a complete album in all aspects that gets hold of you the more you listen to it. It is a step forward for the band and if “Divine Conspiracy” brought them ahead of many, then this one will establish their status and multiply their fans.”

– Nikos Patelis, metal-invader.com

Tracklist:
1. “Samadhi (Prelude)” – 1:27
2. “Resign to Surrender (A New Age Dawns, Part IV)” – 6:19
3. “Unleashed” – 5:48
4. “Martyr of the Free Word” – 5:03
5. “Our Destiny” – 6:00
6. “Kingdom of Heaven (A New Age Dawns, Part V)” – 13:35
7. “The Price of Freedom (Interlude)” – 1:14
8. “Burn to a Cinder” – 5:41
9. “Tides of Time” – 5:34
10. “Deconstruct” – 4:14
11. “Semblance of Liberty” – 5:42
12. “White Waters” (feat. Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica) – 4:44
13. “Design Your Universe (A New Age Dawns, Part VI)” – 9:29
14. “Incentive” – 4:14 (Bonus Track)