EPICA – The Alchemy Project

In celebration of their 20 year career, The Netherlands’s premiere Symphonic Metal band Epica has just released a 7 song EP titled The Alchemy Project, which is less an Epica album and more of a compilation project. The band invited musicians from 13 different groups to co-write and record songs that cover Symphonic to Progressive, to Death Metal, with highs and lows among the tracks. Each song takes on the flavor of the guest musicians, which is why it feels not so much like an Epica record that fans would be expecting.

About the Album

Beyond the symphonic hymns you’re used to, The Alchemy Project contains Progressive-Melodic-Death moments, saxophone solos, haunting lullabies with a trio of female voices—and the heaviest Death Metal track the band has recorded. Guest artists include: Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), Charlotte Wessels, Myrkur, Frank Schiphorst (MaYaN), Björn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork), Henri Sattler (God Dethroned), Sven de Caluwé (Aborted), Asim Searah (Damnation Plan), Niilo Sevänen (Insomnium), Roel van Helden (Powerwolf), Shining, and Fleshgod Apocalypse.

Stand out tracks for this reviewer include “Wake the World”, and “Sirens – Of Blood and Water” which was co-written and performed with Melodic Metal queen Charlotte Wessels and Folk/Black Metal pioneer Myrkur together with Simone Simons. “The Final Lullaby” which features Shining has some fantastic saxophone work, and also stands out as one of the cooler tracks on the album.

Final Notes

The Alchemy Project is aptly named as it’s a mixture of Epica with several other bands, with some mixed results. Tracks like “Human Devastation” push the limits a bit much for Symphonic/Melodic Metal fans, and would not be recognizable as Epica. Overall there are some great songs on the album, and if you like a mixture of Death and Symphonic Metal you’re sure to find something you like here.

Lineup

Mark Jansen – rhythm guitar, growled vocals, co-lead vocals
Coen Janssen – keyboards, synthesizer, piano
Simone Simons – lead vocals
Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums
Isaac Delahaye – lead guitar, backing vocals
Rob van der Loo – bass

The Alchemy Project – Tracklist

1. The Great Tribulation – feat. Fleshgod Apocalypse
2. Wake the World – feat. Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep) & Tommy Karevik (Kamelot)
3. The Final – Lullaby feat. Shining
4. Sirens – Of Blood and Water – feat. Charlotte Wessels & Myrkur
5. Death is not the End – feat. Frank Schiphorst (MaYaN) & Björn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork)
6. Human Devastation – feat. Henri Sattler (God Dethroned) & Sven de Caluwé (Aborted)
7. The Miner – feat. Asim Searah (Damnation Plan), Niilo Sevänen (Insomnium) & Roel van Helden (Powerwolf)