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Epica: The Solace System (EP)
Epica: The Solace System (EP)
Symphonic Power Metal
4.0/5.0
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Nuclear Blast Records
Review: Craig Hartranft
Added: 23.08.2017
Almost a year from The Holographic Principle, their seventh long player, Epica drops a six song EP The Solace System. And you may wonder why. Apparently, the six songs here are from the same creative sessions for The Holographic Principle. Rather than issuing a double CD set then, Epica offer these remainders now.
Epica
Suffice to say, The Solace System sounds like Epica: bombastic symphonic power metal with operatic female vocals with a dash of harsh vocals from band founder Mark Jansen. In other words, there's nothing new under the sun. Epica is not reinventing themselves or changing direction. But this EP does remind me of why I didn't listen to and review the The Holographic Principle: the male death vocals get old real fast. Jansen vomits gravel and nails within Architect Of Light, yet seems even more gruesome in Decoded Poetry (which has some of the best symphonic orchestration). Nevertheless for epic (no pun intended) choral vocal arrangements and sizzling guitar solos, wrapped in bombastic symphonic arrangements, Epica is hard to beat. Epica may be predictable and repetitive, but they are at the top of their game and seemingly unstoppable. If you're a fan, definitely get The Solace System. You'll dig it.
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The Bottom Line
Epica may be predictable and repetitive, but they are at the top of their game and seemingly unstoppable. If you're a fan, definitely get The Solace System. You'll dig it.
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