EPICA

In the organizer's words:

Breathe in, breathe out - EPICA is back with a groundbreaking album.

The path of growth follows a spiral, constantly expanding and deepening with each cycle.

By sticking to this fundamental principle, symphonic metal pioneers EPICA have reinvented themselves once again with their ninth album "Aspiral". The new studio album shows a band bursting with renewed joy. Making way for a masterclass in storytelling, sublimity and timeless melodies.

The album title is derived from the bronze sculpture of the same name by Polish sculptor and painter Stanisław Szukalski from 1965. It stands for renewal and inspiration - key words that define EPICA in 2025. In Szukalski's work, every detail is a work of art in itself, and there is always more to it than meets the eye.

The band saw this as the perfect analogy for the creation of this album: each song stands on its own with a unique atmosphere and meaning, while together they create a monumental body of work.

At the same time, this symbolizes the group dynamic of EPICA during this process: they encouraged, inspired and challenged each other. Determined to create something greater than the sum of its parts, they spared no effort to achieve perfection. If it is the job of creative people to push boundaries, then this sextet did just that.

What's more, the entire writing and recording process of the album was completely overhauled: From several secluded songwriting sessions where the band created "Aspiral" as a unit, to live recording sessions that brought the raw energy of their concerts into the studio. Each individual band member contributed inspiration, ideas and years of songwriting experience.

Like the Szukalski statue, the album's lyrics build a bridge between chaos, suffering and the beautiful things that come out of it. "Aspiral" sums it all up in a single word.

When the band started working on a new album, they had one thing in mind: in order to create, you have to destroy.

That meant dissolving the individual ego and creating as one. You can hear that this made the album even more personal and direct - more alive and adventurous.

But it also meant breaking old patterns to reinvent themselves and usher in a bold new era for symphonic metal. The band felt a strong urge to focus on what was really important: Emotions and melodies - in all their facets.

Although the new material is still complex, the music sounds fresh, organic and focused. No unnecessary studio gimmicks, no distracting details. Instead, they let the magic of their music breathe - with more dynamics, more groove and more room for each band member to shine.

For a band known for majestic, multi-layered arrangements, channeling the essence of what they do best into an album was no easy task. But they succeeded: "Aspiral" is a furious beast that shows each band member at their peak. They have found the perfect balance between "symphonic" and "metal" and have catapulted themselves to the top of the metal world for good.

This didn't happen overnight. It seems to be in the band's DNA to always strive for higher things - and not just musically. During the pandemic, EPICA created the cinematic streaming event "Omega Alive", a brilliant way to showcase their new album while the music industry was down. With a huge production, dancers, acrobats, actors, fire and even rain, everything about it was a step forward.

At the same time, while still stuck at home, they started working on "The Alchemy Project" - a collaboration EP with 13 different artists, from ABORTED to URIAH HEEP and many more.

While working on "Aspiral", they appeared as special guests on METALLICA's M72 world tour stage or as co-headliners at Summer Breeze Brazil. They were on the road, secretly shooting new music videos or preparing for the gigantic "The Symphonic Synergy" shows in Amsterdam and Mexico City, where EPICA performed together with an orchestra and choir in front of over 30,000 people.

It's clear: this band is on fire. And all this paved the self-confident way for "Aspiral".

As the album is all about focus, the band asked contemporary sculptor Hedi Xandt (Rammstein, Ghost, Parkway Drive) to immortalize all of this in a stunning visual representation. It's both a bold statement and a tribute.

If the number 9 stands for divinity, perfection and spiritual growth, then this album is the modern interpretation of it - musically, lyrically and visually.

Testimony to this new wave is a wild rollercoaster of an album. From the intense opener "Cross the Divide", which storms off without warning, to the closing title track, a heartbreaking ballad with Simone Simons in brilliant form.

This album shows their uncompromising commitment to their art and distils the heart of everything EPICA is known for. Everything about "Aspiral" feels like a reminder that passion is pure energy.

Breathe in, breathe out - 2025 belongs to EPICA.

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