Symphonic metallers EPICA will release “The Alchemy Project” on November 11 through Atomic Fire Records.
With “The Alchemy Project”, EPICA sets another highlight in the band’s 20th-anniversary year. Graced by a vivid and witty artwork by graphic wizard Heilemania, visual partner in crime for more that 15 years, EPICA embarks on a journey through seven extraordinary new songs. Co-written and performed with diverse guests ranging from extremists like FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, Niilo Sevänen (INSOMNIUM) and Björn “Speed” Strid (SOILWORK) via melodic masters like Tommy Karevik (KAMELOT),keyboard legend Phil Lanzon (URIAH HEEP) and Roel Van Helden (POWERWOLF) to a once-in-a-lifetime song with Simone Simons, Charlotte Wessels and Myrkur, the EPICA members have really outdone themselves once again. The result is a mind-bending EP that even surpasses the usual broad scope of an EPICA record.
For this new single, which once again thematically dives into apocalyptic realms, the band teamed up with none less than Italy’s symphonic tech-death pioneers FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE – a collaboration that many fans have been waiting for, not only since both bands shared the stage on their North American Tour in 2016. Listen to the track 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 now available for worldwide pre-order as digipak CD, LP or digitally.
Just one day after the release of its anniversary reissues “We Still Take You With Us” and “Live At Paradiso”, EPICA celebrated 20 years of existence live on September 3 at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands, the same place where they played their first show (supporting ANATHEMA) back in 2002.
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.
