With their announced concert in Turkey, Epica has recently made waves in our country and kicked off 2021 with a bang. The metaphysical trilogy that started with “The Quantum Enigma (2014)” continued with “The Holographic Principle (2016)” and concluded with a remarkable album, “Omega.” Since their career began, Epica has consistently explored themes like religion, nature, and quantum physics. The concept of this album revolves around humanity’s constant competition and the resulting alienation rather than unity and development. This 70-minute concept album promises a symphonic feast, with every minute meticulously crafted.

“Omega” is not just for symphonic metal enthusiasts; its compositions and powerful transitions can attract listeners from various musical backgrounds. From the opening track, the album conveys its spirit, with melodies that can transport you to different countries. Normally, the first thing I’d praise about Epica is always Simone Simons, but this album has shifted my focus more towards the instruments. The orchestration is superb, the drums are magnificent, the ethnic melodies are captivating, and the breakdowns are irresistible. The album maintains an epic atmosphere, seamlessly transitioning from slow, emotional parts to extreme segments, creating a progressive movement. There’s also a notable use of the flute, which complements the album’s concept beautifully. Having listened to Epica for years primarily for Simone Simons, this time I found our gorgeous vocalist somewhat overshadowed by the instrumental brilliance.

The album’s title, “Omega,” comes from the Omega Point theory, which posits that everything in the universe spirals towards a divine point of convergence. The Omega Point represents the return to singularity—the universe, having emerged from a singularity, returns to it. The album also incorporates spiritual concepts from Ancient Egypt and Hinduism, with numerous references to these philosophies.

The opening track “Alpha” and the closing track “Omega” are direct references to the Bible. The phrase “I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end” signifies that everything starts and ends in the same place. The second track, titled “Countdown to Singularity,” references the return to singularity. The names of the other tracks also contain many references to the divine Omega Point and its theory, all interconnected.

The album features sounds that reflect the Ancient Egyptian society and their association with metaphysics. For instance, the tracks “Seal of Solomon” and “Code of Life” are heavily infused with Middle Eastern melodies. In “Code of Life,” Simone is joined by Myrath’s vocalist Zaher Zorgati, singing Arabic melodies. “Gaia” similarly includes oriental influences. In “Twilight Reverie – The Hypnagogic State,” The Agonist’s Vicky Psarakis provides guest vocals.

Overall, Epica has managed to create an album that not only builds on their previous works but also successfully blends East and West influences into something everyone can enjoy. If you haven’t listened to it yet, I highly recommend giving it a try before their concert.

Asuna Pehlivan