The fanbase of Epica has not stopped growing. Since Tarja Turunen was fired from Nightwish in 2005 Epica has become the focal point of operatic metal, gaining an exponential following over the past 9 years. With that rising following each release becomes more and more anticipated, and given that the previous effort ‘Requiem for the Indifferent’ was considered one of the weaker efforts, ‘The Quantum Enigma’ was a highly anticipated album.

The instrumental intro to an Epica album has become routine with each setting the tone and theme to the album, in this case the grandiose ‘Originem’ kicking off the album in epic fashion leading into one of Epica’s strongest starts to an album ‘The Second Stone’.

The succeeding 3 tracks of the album epitomise all of what makes the band great – heavy riffing guitars, prolific drumming, melodic quick solos, orchestral keys, and the beauty and the beast clash of brutal and sweet vocals from Mark Jansen and Simone Simons respectively. The album nicely progresses with theatrical valour and diversity borrowing elements from all corners of the vast metal universe, creating an album that could immediately be listened to again upon completion.

‘The Quantum Enigma’ is undoubtedly Epica at their most brilliant. The effort put into creating this album really shows and every element laid down in each track has been enhanced to standout, despite the album flowing with an easily accessible progressive undertone. Almost totally minimising any of Epica’s previous negativity, ‘The Quantum Enigma’ has the potential to be a genre-defining album.