Sixth album release for Epica - The Quantum Enigma - May 2014

Epica are to release their next album, The Quantum Enigma in the UK on 5th May with Nuclear Blast. It is their first studio album with new bassist Rob van der Loo, who replaced Yves Huts in 2012 .  As the followup to 2012 Requiem for the Indifferent, the album promises to bring us another dose of classic Epica.

There are 13 tracks on the album:

1 - Originem
2 - The Second Stone
3 - The Essence of Silence
4 - Victims of Contingency
5 - Sense Without Sanity - The Impervious Code
6 - Unchain Utopia
7 - The Fifth Guardian - Interlude
8 - Chemical Insomnia
9 - Reverence - Living in the Heart
10 - Omen - The Ghoulish Malady
11 - Canvas of Life
12 - Natural Corruption
13 - The Quantum Enigma - Kingdom of Heaven part II


A lyric video of The Essence of Silence was released in March 2014.  It demonstrates a heavier sound reminiscent of earlier albums.  It's a great Epica track and makes use of both the vocal growls of Mark Jansen and the beautiful symphonic vocals of Simone Simons.

The album is going to be available in so many different configurations that the band have created a video to showcase them.  I have taken a look and I'll have the 3 CD Earbook please! :)

The Dutch Symphonic band are planning a European Tour for the album, including one UK date in London. The dates are:

20-11-14 Kulturfabrik, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
21-11-14 La Laiterie, Strasbourg, France
22-11-14  X-TRA, Zurich, Switzerland
24-11-14 Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
25-11-14 Orion, Rome, Italy
26-11-14 Le Moulin, Marseille, France
28-11-14 Shoko, Madrid, Spain
02-12-14 Apolo, Barcelona, Spain
03-12-14 Bikini, Toulouse, France
04-12-14 Rocher de Palmer, Bordeaux, France
06-12-14 The Forum,  London, United Kingdom
29-01-15 L’Olympia, Paris, France

DAGOBA will be supporting on all dates, except for London and Paris.

Again, the band are offering VIP packages for the shows which include:

- Ticket to the show
- An exclusive Meet & Greet with all the band members
- Have your picture taken with the band
- Early entrance to the venue
- A personally signed poster
- A custom lanyard
- An original VIP-pass

We opted for the VIP tickets when the band toured the UK a little more extensively in 2012.  It was a lovely meet and worth the extra money - plus we got to the front of the venue with ease and were able to take these awesome photos of the gig.

I don't think we will make the trip to London for the gig in December as we have been lucky enough to see the band more locally in the past.  We will have to wait until they feel like braving the North of England once again! :)