Album Review: Epica – Aspiral (Nuclear Blast)
Symphonic metal innovators Epica are back, reinventing themselves once again with their ninth studio album, ‘Aspiral’. Out on April 11th, 2025, via Nuclear Blast.
Reinvention, yes. Especially from a song-wring perspective, but rest assured this is the Epica we all know and love. The Epica that brings us bombastic blasts of symphonic metal, powerful storytelling, and an overall enviable cinematic feel. They are one of the icons of this scene, and constantly lead the way, which is where this album comes in.
As lavish as ever, but refined to a sharp point, and with unnecessary layers removed, Aspiral is an addictive listen, especially when it begins in such vigorous style as it does with Cross the Divide. The instruments are punchy, but the heavier edge is balanced by the pomp of symphonic aspects and, of course, the power of Simone Simons’ vocals.
It’s an easy track to like, especially as it feels so Epica, so it’s even more exciting to hear them begin to push some boundaries, small as they might be, with a track like Arcana. This is the sound of Epica scaling things back, allowing simplicity to take over, and putting the focus on the chorus, safe in the knowledge that it is going to blow up. The word that comes to mind is magical.
Of course, magical music is what they do, and its very cool to see the ‘New Age Dawn’ series continue with not one, not two, but three parts here. First, it’s Part VII, Darkness Dies in Light, the longest track on the album by some distance and one that lives up to the epic series’ reputation. If you were worried that this refinement of Epica’s sound would be lacking in spectacle, this track says otherwise. Even though its amplification is not matched elsewhere.
Although Part VIII, Metanoia, has a mass of melodrama that enhances the cinematic feel of it, but that is balanced out by thicker and more garish bursts of heavy. Before, right at the end of the album, comes Part IX, The Grand Saga of Existence. Epica being as dramatic as ever, but not quite having the same spark of ingenuity here. It’s still wholly enjoyable, but the steam has started to run out, especially as it is, overall, a lengthy listening experience.
Elsewhere on the album? Obsidian Heart has a spectacular combo of pulsing instrumentals and formidable vocals. Fight to Survive – The Overview Effect gets the blood pumping in the veins, as if it wasn’t already, whereas T.I.M.E. is such a theatrical performance. Then there is Apparition and Eye of the Storm, tracks that come later in the album’s runtime but are focused efforts that vary up the different layers of Epica’s soundscape. These, and the epic finale of the title track, will leave listeners more than content. Be it long term Epica fans or those who came looking for a sumptuous display of symphonic metal.
Still, it comes back to that word and that word is ‘refinement’ and once again, it’s notable just how Epica have found a way to simplify things while not losing all that makes them special.
Epica – Aspiral Track Listing:
1. Cross the Divide
2. Arcana
3. Darkness Dies in Light – A New Age Dawns Part VII
4. Obsidian Heart
5. Fight to Survive – The Overview Effect
6. Metanoia – A New Age Dawns Part VIII
7. T.I.M.E.
8. Apparition
9. Eye of the Storm
10. The Grand Saga of Existence – A New Age Dawns Part IX
11. Aspiral
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Epica - Aspiral (Nuclear Blast)
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The Final Score - 8/10
8/10
