ALBUM REVIEW: We Still Take You With Us – Epica
EPICA are undeniably one of the most popular symphonic metal bands around. To celebrate 20 years of being a band, they have just released their very own boxset, We Still Take You With Us, which contains reissues of their four earliest releases: The Phantom Agony, Consign To Oblivion, The Score and We Will Take You With Us. In addition to this, the boxset features the live full-length release Live At Paradiso, which has never been heard before now.
It is well and truly evident that the Dutch sextet came into a sound of their own following the release of their debut studio album The Phantom Agony in 2003. The expanded reissue of undoubtedly one of their most recognised albums features a total of 24 tracks. There are two brand new bonus tracks included in the re-release – the orchestral versions of Feint and Illusive Consensus. Feint (Orchestral Version) is just painstakingly beautiful from start to finish, whereas the grand concert type feel of Illusive Consensus (Orchestral Version) makes this track one to remember, completely giving it a new lease of life.
The reissue of EPICA‘s second body of work Consign To Oblivion includes all of the original tracks as featured in the 2005 edition, and there’s also an updated version of the 2017 soundtrack compilation The Score 2.0 – An Epic Journey. Most fans should also be familiar with the reissue of their 2004 live album release We Will Take You With Us, this one including rare footage from the band’s first live television performance in the Netherlands. The DVD release has been sold out for quite some time, so hardcore fans of the band will be glad to know that they can finally get their hands on it.
Perhaps most interesting here however is the brand new live release Live In Paradiso, which contains live performances from EPICA in the beautiful Paradiso venue in Amsterdam, recorded back in 2006. The first track on the album is Hunab K’u, which almost has a bit of a Pirates Of The Caribbean feel to it. The symphonic, dramatic nature of the song just draws you right in from start to finish, leaving you wanting more. You can just imagine the elevated feelings you would feel experience hearing this track live. The live version of Dance Of Fate showcases vocalist Simone Simons‘ spectacular vocal range in the best light possible; proving to their ever expanding fanbase that Simons and the rest of EPICA can certainly deliver in a live setting too. Sensorium is one of our favourite EPICA songs and it literally sounds just like the studio recording. The live instrumentals are flawless throughout, making this song true perfection.
The live version of The Last Crusade is something to remember. The stark contrast between Simons‘ enchanting vocals and Mark Jansen‘s unclean growls make this song totally unique, giving off a NIGHTWISH feel in the process. Solitary Ground highlights Simons‘ remarkable vocal talent. The slower nature of the track makes you feel quite emotional and it is very thought provoking. Force Of The Shore is so dramatic and impactful live, with Simons using her higher register to add further drama to the proceedings. Quietus is another track that truly shines live. It is outstanding how all of the songs on this release just sound identical to the studio versions – what a treat to the ears. Linger is another inevitable tearjerker in the track list, with you really being able to feel Simons‘ emotion in every note.
Black Infinity is striking in every way. The vocals are just impeccable throughout. When the hard-hitting instrumentals kick in, you are blown away by just how incredible this band are. Crystal Mountain includes more unclean vocals which definitely makes a change from what we have heard on the album so far. It is great that they are willing to change things up to some degree musically. This would be another song which would be amazing to hear live. Seif Al Din contains some LACUNA COIL-style instrumentals before the melody progresses on to form something which is truly EPICA. Facade Of Reality is another track which transitions between clean and unclean vocals extremely well, whereas in Trois Vierges you can actually witness the crowd’s reaction to hearing this phenomenal track live and it just adds to the intrigue of what it would actually be like to be there watching them. Another Me (In Lack’eh) is a little more theatrical in nature, which helps to add more anticipation for what’s to come.
Arguably one of EPICA‘s most popular tracks The Phantom Agony is up next. This features even more crowd participation, which is fantastic to hear. Cry For The Moon is quite different in a live setting to the studio version surprisingly, with Simons‘ vocals sounding softer and more tranquil; this makes this version of their iconic track even more memorable. The instrumentals in Run For A Fall are very magical in the live recording, making for an even more beautiful rendition of the track. Mother Of Light is even more striking live, with Simons making you hang onto every word. Consign To Oblivion is the last track to feature on the live album. The bold melody is commanding from beginning to end, keeping you hooked with every note.
Overall, this boxset is truly fantastic. It is an exciting collection of EPICA‘s best work to date, not to mention the inclusion of the long awaited Live In Paradiso just hitting the spot in every way possible. If you are a casual or hardcore fan of the band, you are sure to feel totally satisfied with this release in every way – it is remarkably magnificent.
Rating: 10/10
We Still Take You With Us is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.
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