THE DIVINE CONSPIRACY

With their 2007 output The Divine Conspiracy, Epica wander even deeper into the heart of the symphonic metal genre. Strong orchestral influences permeate the record that otherwise is a classical fit for power metal. Standard genre recipies - likable female vocals, harsh male grunting, speedy but uninnovative drumming, straightforward riffing and symphonic keys - are exploited to the limit here.

Highs

With a haunting symphonic intro ("Indigo"), underlined with latin vocals and a dynamic string-aided power song to follow it ("The Obsessive Devotion"), Epica land a strong start into the experience. The track also showcases that Epica do a excellent job at landing gripping choruses.

Likewise, the album highlight is cleverly positioned on the back end, where the title longtrack unites what makes symphonic progressive metal an interesting genre to many: Strong orchestration, a fine arc of suspense, leading from a fragile center part to a strong climax.

Simone's vocal abilities are great for the most part.

Lows

In a word: Repetition. The orchestral parts get dated pretty quickly, even when they seem to be embedded at all the right positions. Likewise, the drumming is uncreative and dull for most of the time. Although the protagonists clearly have potential technically, they rarely show it.

If you strip the music off the symphonic smoke and mirrors, what you get is pretty average musicianship and songwriting, impressing on the first few listens, but wearing off at an unfortunate pace.

Conclusion

All the strengths and weaknesses of symphonic metal (with a progressive edge), creating a slightly above average experience.

3+ stars.

***** star songs: The Divine Conspiracy
**** star songs: Indigo (Prologue), The Obsessive Devotion, Fools of Damnation, Never Enough
*** star songs: Menace of Vanity, Chasing the Dragon, La'petach Chatat Rovetz - the Final Embrace, Living a Lie, Death of a Dream, Beyond Belief, Safeguard to Paradise,Terra Sancta

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