Like ‘Omega‘ before it, ‘Aspiral’ proves that changing a band’s approach can have a significant impact, even if there aren’t any big stylistic changes. Epica is still a symphonic metal band with fairly big arrangements on ‘Aspiral’, but it feels less like every element of the production is fighting for its own place. Admittedly, I wasn’t really feeling ‘Aspiral’ upon first listen. Which is ironic, because it might just be the most accessible Epica album to date. Giving it time to grow certainly helped though, as the band made quite a leap in terms of writing concise, yet adventurous songs.

Writing the album together as a band has really helped Epica focus on the most recognizable aspects of their songs: the melodies and the vocals of Simone Simons. Even on their best works, some of the hooks would drown in layers of choirs and orchestrations, and Simons would find herself trying to scale a massive wall of sound, which sometimes impacted her performance negatively. Though I personally prefer a different vocal approach, she honestly has never sounded as good as she has on the band’s last two albums, and remembering a chorus melody or lead guitar theme has become significantly easier.

Reading the songwriting credits suggests that the increased involvement from bassist Rob van der Loo might have helped clean up the arrangements and create more immediate structures. His songs are generally the most dynamic, and the ones that leave the most space for Simons. Fortunately, this has happened without relying on the soft verse, loud chorus trope that many metal bands with female singers are overusing. A prime example is opening track ‘Cross the Divide’, which remains powerful throughout, despite cleverly toying with its dynamic options. Van der Loo’s relatively modern riffing also contributes to ‘Aspiral’ having a fairly fresh, distinct character within Epica’s discography.

Although the songs on ‘Aspiral’ are generally a bit more concise, they still are quite adventurous, and they work with contrasts realatively subtly. ‘Eye of the Storm’, for instance, could easily have worked as a death metal track, but instead is one of the catchiest tracks on the album, simply because it leaves room for the vocals to make it so melodic. The more epic ‘Darkness Dies in Light’ was an early favorite, especially due to the awesome borderline thrash metal riffs in its middle section. ‘Metanoia’ is another song that perfectly combines Epica’s more epic ambitions with great riffs and an easily digestible structure.

Ultimately, what I respect about Epica most is that they keep evolving and challenging themselves, despite just as easily being able to continuously reap the benefits from what they have built already, like so many of their peers appear to do. ‘Aspiral’ might be the biggest leap they have made between two albums, but I think they might have something even better up their sleeves. My image of an ideal Epica album would have the songwriting of ‘The Holographic Principle‘ with the production of their last two albums. But they have surprised me before, and they most likely will again.

Recommended tracks: ‘Darkness Dies in Light’, ‘Eye of the Storm’, ‘Metanoia’