Review: Epica 'Omega'

[@maddysmith8846]

I pre-ordered the 4 CD deluxe or super-deluxe edition, which come in a hardback album-sized book format: Omega, Omega Acoustic, Opus Omega and Omega Instrumental. Beautifully produced in keeping with the album, it’s great to have a it as a lovely tangible companion to sitting down and enjoying some great listening. Fab album, Simone’s vocal right back at the front of the mix where they belong. Have my ticket for 13 March 2022 at the Roundhouse in London, Apocalyptica supporting, something to look forward to 💜!!!!

[@gwts1171]

I was waiting for Pete's wife to come into frame and smack him for his comments about Simone! :) I'm not much of a symphonic metal fan, but I always enjoy and appreciate the videos. Thanks, Pete! And congrats on getting your first shot.

[@robertmcneil2234]

Great to see Epica getting some love. This is a great album. When the latest Nightwish disappointed slightly I'd hoped Epica would deliver and they duly did - taken over from Nightwish IMHO because they've kept that heavy edge.

[@ericsloss3963]

Slightly? You are being much too kind.

[@diannecarpenter7718]

I’m looking forward to purchasing the new Epica ‘ Omega ‘ CD!! Thank you for this review.🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@martinnapier6286]

Great review Pete, loving this so far. Skeleton key is the creepiest track they have ever done, love code of life and it's easily one of their best already. The only track the stops this being a perfect album is Gaia which I will need more time with. On a separate note an idea for a show could be a track by track review of classic albums, obviously you have touched on most of this on ranking the album but hearing you dissect an album would be very interesting. Thanks again for all the content, I dont know how you do it but this has been a massive help during lockdown and is easily the best channel on youtube, I watch every video and have discovered so many bands and am looking forward to more!

[@ericgorman9942]

I love Epica. They have so much depth to their music that it takes quite a few listens before I can fully grasp what they're going for. They always have very intelligent lyrics with what seems like spiritual themes. Those are the types of albums I'm drawn to. Thanks for another great review.

[@metalslather]

Oh ya can’t wait to see this awesome band after all this turmoil ends. To see the beautiful Simone in person, what a thrill. Tour the west coast please

[@Nosferatu1985]

This album just so Fu...ing Great. The second best Epica album after Design Your Universe.

[@watchtheskies]

I love all of Epica's albums (and EPs), for me the last 3 albums, Omega, The Holographic Principle, The Quantum Enigma are my favorites, for these albums they worked with producer Joost van den Broek, an accomplished musician in his own right and an incredible producer, the production on The Quantum Enigma blew me away, it was such a huge step up and they have kept up those standards ever since

[@darlatidwell6255]

I've got music homework again. 🙂 I'm sure I will love Epica Omega too. I trust your music choices.✌️🤟

[@MrJericholic]

Love love this album! They just keep better with each release and one of my favorites. Omega is a masterpiece 🤘🤘

[@watchtheskies]

Affirmative :)

[@wvdavidr]

A good review! I like it too. Any chance of a studio ranking of Avantasia?

[@SJHUE]

I really like this album I find it very consistant. No skipping tracks here! Pre-ordered it on marble coloured vinyl and really glad I did

[@gellargod]

Love Epica!!! My fave symphonic metal band!!

[@powskier]

My favorite Epica album, by far, and the others definitely do NOT suck!

[@Paolopagnaniofficial]

I love this Album!! Epica is my favorite metal band!!!!

[@auditoriumforone3000]

Vinyl pressing looks good and is a great price for a double LP. I might need to check this one out.

[@ericsloss3963]

I love the album. They threw everything but the kitchen sink on this. It works for me. It never bored me. It drew me in.

[@dangerdolls]

Love the channel. It's been helpful to me. I've just been getting back into listening to music in the last three months after nigh three decades without much time to devote to it. Yay for retirement. So an honest question. I'm not trying to be negative, but growls just don't do much for me. Are they any bands doing this sort of symphonic metal sound with operatic vocals sans the growls?

[@middleearthGOD]

There's more symphonic metal bands who dont have growl than the one who have growl really

[@maddysmith8846]

I’d recommend you give Epica a listen, there isn’t over reliance on growls and they blend surprisingly well with Simone’s voice, which remains in operatic register. I think she is is probably lyric mezzo but her tessitura could well be in soprano part of the range. She’s really to the fore in Omega, great new album, definitely give it a listen, it’s brilliant symphonic rock! I also really like her in Design Your Universe, she seemed to far back in the mix in The Holographic Principle. Enjoy 😊

[@billymuellerTikTok]

good luck with your shot, Pete - going for mine tomorrow.... spending WAY too much $$ on records (and CDs) after finding your channel... listened to High & Dry cover to cover last night for the first time and HOLY COW... so much better than Pyromania and Hysteria... you're like the older brother I never had. I caught the tail end of the 80's metal scene. first 3 shows were Whitesnake Slip of the Tongue with Kix at Nassau, Extreme with Alice In Chains opening at Sundance, Lynch Mob with Kingofthehill at Sundance. I only made it to Lamour once or twice to see friends bands play and CBGB once.

[@billymuellerTikTok]

digitizing my CD box set of Blue Oyster Cult Columbia Albums Collection to iTunes right now (missed out on getting the Symbol Remains on vinyl but got one on CD.

[@gwts1171]

I never disliked Pyromania and Hysteria, but they sure sound "lighter" than those first two records. Not bad, just different, in my opinion. Also, I just recently re-listened to that Kingofthehill disc for the first time in about 25 years! Not the best... :)

[@billymuellerTikTok]

@@gwts1171 Hysteria was my first foray into Def Leppard so it always has a special place for me - never listened to Kingofthehill, they just had to be opening up that night for Lynch - at the end of the show George, Oni (who was 98 lbs soaking wet) and Anthony all stage dove and the crowd caught them... drummer Wild Mick Brown did too and the crowd parted like the Red Sea - he landed on the floor and I grabbed his drumsticks from his back pocket... sorry, Mick

[@MrFrikkenfrakken]

Well done Pete and I agree this is a band who has not put out one bad album at all. Can't wait until they are able to tour for this record as there are cuts that beg for the live environment.

[@marklangham4337]

Love this band and also Edenbridge!!!!

[@MegaSaintAugustine]

Something you didn't mention, they recorded a full orchestra, along with a full choir and children's choir. Epica did this with every one of their albums (this is their first with the children's choir).

[@JerpPin]

I love your shirt!!!!

[@richbillionair]

What do you think about the new album by Paul Stanley's Soult Station

[@luiscontreras4718]

Thank you for this review Pete! Was anxious for it. The best reviews as usual. Congrats on getting your first shot man 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 long live Pete!!!

[@comickaraoke]

Great review! really like Epica! Have you checked out any of Cellar Darling? (Off Nuclear Blast ), a swiss folk-metal band (female lead) with a really cool sound that I've been digging lately.

[@robmlisanti]

I like most of it , never been a huge fan of them but it’s a good album

[@jrgenclevin4185]

Pete, have you ever made a negative review? If so link it, please.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Pete reviews stuff on video that he likes 😁 But look around SoT and listen to some of his Rants when he talks about artists at the Grammys, or in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, or even if someone brings up Guns n'Roses/Motley Crue/Nirvana/Pearl Jam, you'll see how scathing he can be about music he doesn't like 😂

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Of course I have...but keep in mind I've reviewed hundreds of releases over hundreds of videos here, so you'll just have to go to the What's Hot playlist and watch some of them. If you really want to hear me talk negatively about some albums, look no further than the recent Ranking the Albums show for Def Leppard.

[@jrgenclevin4185]

@@seaoftranquilityprog I've seen hours on hours of your videos and sure you have your rants from time to time. But when it comes to reviews of new releases you have only pointed out the positives, of the ones I've seen that is, which lowers the credibility. Just saying.

[@jrgenclevin4185]

@@azdh85224 As a musician myself I totally respect that, but on the other hand, as a reviewer myself I don't. If that makes any sense. As a reviewer the last thing I want to be is too kind. Better half a point too critical than positive, for the sake of credibility. But I understand if Pete can't be this brutaly honest, because he might know these people on a personal level.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

@@jrgenclevin4185 Personally, I think it's kinda weird that you have this strong desire to view reviews that are 'negative', but, if you must, I didn't love the new Steven Wilson, Ayreon, Gazpacho, Dennis DeYoung, Grand Magus. Angel, and a host of others in recent memory, but as I said there are close to 300 'review' episodes on here and I'm sure there are many more. I do want to point out, when I am discussing (or writing) a review of an album I don't care for, it's not a full on negative assault like some people do. I try to point out what I don't like about it, accentuate any positives, if any, offer constructive criticisms, and let the viewer make up their mind on their own. Also, I only review on this channel a small fraction of the new releases that are covered on our website, as I have just too much other programming, and I'd prefer to let people know of all the 'good things' that have come out, then to waste time on stuff I don't like. That's what our reviews website is for, to review everything, positive or negative. As for being honest, that's what I am all about. Makes no difference if I know the artist or band at all. I always give my honest assessment-if I'm more open to different types of music and the qualities of music than you might be, that's just the way it is. You can't question my credibility because of that, and in close to 25 years of being a music journalist, no one has ever questioned that of me. I tend to always look to the positives rather than trying to always look for and point out negatives. My brain just doesn't function on negativity

[@janspiljard]

Just listened to Epica's Omega as part of my listening to a lot of 2021 albums. Before Epica, i listened to Van Morrison's latest album and Blackmore's Night latest album, so it was a pretty big jump musically. And something to beat because both albums mentioned are very good albums. But I enjoyed the Epica album a lot. I have not listened to much of their music yet, but Omega impressed me a lot. The music is very very good, with indeed lots of different styles included in it. Two things are a bit of a minus for me. To my taste there is too much growling by Mark Jansen on it, which kinda pushes Simone's beautiful voice away. But hey, i am listening to Epica. That is their trade mark, so get used to it, i tell myself. The second thing is their lyrics. Tbey sound great and intelligent and "wise", but i become quickly bored with such lyrics. However, having said that, Omega is a kick-ass album!

[@63mckenzie]

They must have the most bizarre vocal combinations in rock.

[@michaelsneade31]

Brilliant album.

[@powskier]

Rank the Eluveitie albums.

[@carlarmou7293]

Great Epica album. Not their best though

[@lahloonatic]

Arabic vocals? That sounds interesting.

[@747jono]

Congratulations Pete on getting your Covid jab yeahhhh

[@pettson6812]

Congratulations for your first vaccine injection. Here in Sweden, we in our 50s have to wait a couple of of months I guess.