Epica The Alchemy Project Review

The Alchemy Project is a seven song EP from Epica released on November 11, 2022. The songs on this recording are all Epica sounding, but still very different. It is complex with many unique ingredients. I think with all the collaboration with other artists pushed Epica musical capabilities to a higher level.

Mark Jansen explains the record:

The idea behind this concept is cooperation. In the world of today, with all its chaos and challenges, we as a humanity will need to work together in order to solve and rise above the problems in order to create a new world where we can shine again. We are all connected, and when a part of humanity is suffering, we are all suffering from it.

Starting things off is "The Great Tribulation" featuring the Italian symphonic death metal band from Perugia, Fleshgod Apocalypse. The song kicks in with an evil sounding choir. There is a nice back and forth between Francesco Paoli and Simone Simons with heavy, fierce, and frenzied guitars.

"Wake the World" continues the album foray with the help of Uriah Heep's keyboardist, Phil Lanzon, and Kamelot vocalist, Tommy Karevik. The song is a nice mid-tempo rock-power metal fusion rocker. It has a nice Rainbowish vibe to it. "The Final Lullaby" has avant garde black metalists Shining in the co-captain's chair and comes complete with a sax solo.

"Sirens of Blood and Water" has vocal duties shared with former Delain vocalist Charlotte Wessels and Denmark's MYRKUR. The song is a stunning, soulful song with symphonic metal overtones. The girls portray the sisters of the sea who lure men to their deaths. Someone tie me to the mast of the ship. 

"Death is not the End" is in collaboration with Mayan guitarist Frank Schiphorst and Björn Strid, vocalist of Soilwork. Frank Schiphorst's guitar work is phenomenal and Björn Strid vocals are powerful and blend nicely with Simone's.

"Human Devastation" is the heaviest song on the album with noisy death metal riffs all over the place. The song features Henri Sattler of God Dethroned and Sven De Caluwé of aborted. The closer, "The Miner" is atmospheric and progressive. A pleasing respite after the brutal beating we get from "Human Devastation." The song is assisted by guitarist Asim Searah of Damnation Plan, bassist and unclean vocals from Niilo Sevänen of Insomnia and Roel Van Helden drummer for Powerwolf. 

The Alchemy Project is an excellent album and shimmers brightly amongst this year's releases. Having guests helped influence the recording with their DNA and allowed Epica to soar higher into the empyrean. 

Band

• Simone Simons – Vocals
• Mark Jansen – Guitars, Vocals
• Isaac Delahaye – Guitars
• Rob van der Loo – Bass
• Coen Janssen – Keyboards
• Ariën van Weesenbeek – Drums, Vocals

Additional Musicians

• Veronica Bordacchini - Vocals (track 1)
• Fabio Bartoletti - Guitars (lead) (track 1)
• Marcela Bovio - Vocals (backing)
• Linda van Summeren - Vocals (backing)
• Maria van Nieukerken - Conductor (choir)
• Martha Bosch - Vocals (choirs, soprano)
• Frédérique Klooster - Vocals (choirs, soprano)
• Annemieke Nuijten - Vocals (choirs, soprano)
• Alfrun Schmid - Vocals (choirs, soprano)
• Karen Langendonk - Vocals (choirs, alto)
• Cécile Roovers - Vocals (choirs, alto)
• Annemarie Verburg - Vocals (choirs, alto)
• Annette Vermeulen - Vocals (choirs, alto)
• Guido Groenland - Vocals (choirs, tenor)
• Henk Gunneman - Vocals (choirs, tenor)
• René Veen - Vocals (choirs, tenor)
• Joost van Velzen - Vocals (choirs, tenor)
• An Douwes - Vocals (choirs, bass)
• Jan Hoffmann - Vocals (choirs, bass)
• Martijn de Graaf Bierbrauwer - Vocals (choirs, bass)
• Angus van Grevenbroek - Vocals (choirs, bass)
• Ben Mathot - Violin
• Ian de Jong - Violin
• Loes Dooren - Violin
• Sabine Poiesz - Violin
• Mark Mulder - Viola
• Adriaan Breunis - Viola
• Marije de Jong - Cello
• Eilidh Martin - Cello
• Phil Lanzon - Hammond organ (track 2)
• Tommy Karevik - Vocals (lead) (track 2)
• Jørgen Munkeby - Vocals (lead) (track 3), Vocals (backing) (track 3), Saxophone (tenor) (track 3), Guitars (rhythm) (track 3)
• Charlotte Wessels - Vocals (track 4)
• Frank Schiphorst - Guitars (lead, rhythm) (track 5), Orchestrations (track 5)
• Björn "Speed" Strid - Vocals (track 5)
• Henri Sattler - Grunts (track 6), Guitars (track 6)
• Sven de Caluwé - Grunts (track 6)
• Asim Searah - Vocals (lead, backing) (track 7), Guitars (lead) (track 7)
• Niilo Sevänen - Growls (track 7)
• Roel van Helden - Drums (track 7)
• Francesco Paoli - Vocals (track 1), Orchestral arrangements (track 1)
• Myrkur - Vocals (track 4)

We hope you enjoyed this album review. Please let us know what you think about this review and your thoughts on Epica's "The Alchemy Project" in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you! Also, follow us on Twitter and Facebook for additional updates and discussions.