The Phantom Agony
[Transmission]

With 'The Phantom Agony', Epica has quickly established itself as a major force in the gothic/atmospheric metal field. Featuring ex-After Forever guitarist Mark Jansen, this Dutch band delivers the goods in a style very similar to Jansen's former band. By combining the gothic style with power metal and symphonic elements, Epica has created an album of unparalled melodicism, beauty, and power.

Epica's overall sound is atmospheric gothic metal, with soprano female vocals. They add some death grunts and screams (courtesy of Mark Jansen), for the "beauty and the beast" effect that quite a few bands of this style feature. Simone Simons' voice is very strong, and her performance is the main focus and highlight of the album. Along with their slower, more goth-y riffing, Epica employs faster power metal-ish rhythm figures, resulting in a sound that, at times, resembles Nightwish. They take that sound a step further by utilizing a real string octet and six-piece choir, along with very real-sounding synth brass and woodwinds. The result is an impressively powerful sound, slightly reminiscent of the way Therion uses its symphonic elements. Throughout the album, one is almost overpowered by the sheer abundance of melodicism in the vocals, orchestral parts, and the keyboards.

The most striking feature of 'The Phantom Agony' might just be the arranging, both instrumentally and song structure-wise. Mark Jansen, keyboardist Coen Janssen, and arranger Robert Hunecke-Rizzo (Heavens Gate, Aina) have given these songs a life of their own, with many different twists and turns, while still maintaining a sense of balance and flow.

Sascha Paeth's production is stellar. Working with so many elements must be a daunting task, but he does a wonderful job of harnessing the power of the electric instruments as to not overshadow the strings and vocals. All the instruments are recorded very well (even the bass guitar is distinguishable), and the mix is perfect. After his work here and on Aina's 'Days Of Rising Doom', Mr.Paeth will be in high demand as a producer/arranger.

Epica has created a wonderful piece of gothic metal. It is powerful without being bombastic, and unabashedly melodic without losing its metal edge. Fans of Nightwish, After Forever, Tristania, and even maybe Therion should enjoy 'The Phantom Agony'.