Today, symphonic metal titans EPICA finally unleashed “The Alchemy Project”, a unique collaboration featuring 13 bands and musicians who co-wrote and performed the 7 new tracks with them. For this special occasion, EPICA presents another true gem from the release, in form of a music video for a hauntingly dark track with a majestic chorus: “Sirens – Of Blood And Water” was co-written and performed with melodic metal queen Charlotte Wessels and folk/black metal pioneer Myrkur, and together with Simone Simons, these 3 leading ladies of heavy music form the most spectacular trinity of this winter.
“Charlotte and I go back many years, but we never really worked on music together. Since she started releasing her solo songs, I became an admirer of her work and reached out to her to create a song for ‘The Alchemy Project‘.” Simone Simons remembers. “That collaboration resulted in the beautiful haunting song, ‘Sirens – Of Blood And Water’. We both have a fascination for mermaids, the fairytale from H.C. Andersen and wanted to write a song from the perspective of the sisters of the little mermaid. I loved how our creative minds flowed into the song and having Myrkur, who happens to be Danish just like the author of the tale, add her unique voice to the song was the perfect match that we needed to complete the story.”
If this isn’t the best possible way to conclude their 20 Year Anniversary Celebrations, then we don’t know what it is. Get lured into the deep waters and watch “Sirens – Of Blood And Water” directed by Patric Ullaeus, below.
Mark Jansen explains how the new song came to life: “We know the guys and girl from FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE already for quite a long time and toured together. There’s a lot of mutual respect for each other’s music, so when we approached them to work together on a track, they were right away enthusiastic. I did send them some very basic ideas I had for two songs, so they could pick what they liked the most. They ended up using all the ideas and combining them into one song. That was already very promising. From there on, we organized several sessions where we worked on the song together. The process was very smooth and very inspiring. I think the result is a perfect blend between both bands!”
The seven songs on “The Alchemy Project” were co-written and performed with the following renowned guest musicians:
1. The Great Tribulation [Featuring FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE]
2. Wake The World [Featuring Phil Lanzon (URIAH HEEP) & Tommy Karevik (KAMELOT)]
3. The Final Lullaby [Featuring SHINING]
4. Sirens – Of Blood And Water [Featuring Charlotte Wessels & Myrkur]
5. Death Is Not The End [Featuring Frank Schiphorst (MAYAN) & Björn “Speed” Strid (SOILWORK)]
6. Human Devastation [Featuring Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED),Sven de Caluwé (ABORTED)]
7. The Miner [Featuring Asim Searah (DAMNATION PLAN), Niilo Sevänen (INSOMNIUM), Roel Van Helden (POWERWOLF)]
“The Alchemy Project” EP Artwork
“The Alchemy Project” is available for order as digipak CD, LP or digitally.
EPICA was formed by composer Mark Jansen after leaving AFTER FOREVER in 2002, and the band quickly gained attention outside their home country, taking big steps towards becoming the leading symphonic metal superpower they have long proven to be. After their ambitious debut “The Phantom Agony” (2002) and the surprisingly eclectic sophomore work “Consign To Oblivion” (2005),the road took them to new heights via their first concept masterpiece “The Divine Conspiracy” (2007) and their global breakthrough “Design Your Universe” (2009). 2012’s opus “Requiem For The Indifferent”, 2014’s bedazzling “The Quantum Enigma” and “The Holographic Principle” (2016),cemented their reputation as not only one of the hardest-working metal bands in the business but also as one of the best. With 2021’s “Omega”, the final part of the metaphysical trilogy they began with “The Quantum Enigma”, they reclaimed the throne without so much as the blink of an eye, amassing three million-plus streams during the first week of the album’s release.
