This is probably the album of Kamelot Americans with whom she made the breakthrough, finally belonged to the absolute elite. And rightly so, because "Epica" offers everything one expects from a good album: excellent musician, a terrific singer, progressive parts and solos, beautiful ballads, strong power numbers and an intelligent concept that cleverly and entertaining using Interludes like a red thread through the album draws (it is inspired by Goethe's Faust). It all starts with the "Prologue", which builds tension with strings and Fackelknistern and -Who would have gedacht- literally erupts in a opener which would not have been faster. "Center of the Universe" is a true killer track and already he alone justifies the purchase of the album. Rarely have I heard a better up-tempo banger. "Farewell" makes only slightly more slowly. The mood that comes up in this song is a "magic", which is caused on the whole album over again. So even during the slow "The Edge Of Paradise" which is of "Opiate Soul (Interlude I)" launched. "The Edge Of Paradise" is slower and somewhat viscous: definitely a song to which you should rantasten first, but undoubtedly is terrific once you have purely should be. The ensuing "migrant" is perhaps the best ballad that I've ever heard in my life. Heavy beschreiblich what has been done here, but this song is pure enchantment ... and that. Without Kitsch Absolutely brilliant, because consumption is guaranteed no one ashamed of the tears. But even it is allowed to continue, "Omen" is the second Interlude and faded in "Descent Of The Archangel", a progressive stocked with tempochanges number that draws the listener with a mystical mood in the spell. "At The Banquet (Interlude III)" I think the only interlude, which one must clearly emphasize. Blame it on the acoustic guitar and the truly breathtaking Spannungsaubau which explodes in "A Feast For The Vain". The mentioned mood, dry and somehow emotionally, which also appeared in "Farewell", must now again fully zulangen. It's hard to describe what is meant, but everyone was allowed to hear the songs know what I mean. "On The Coldest Winter Night" is another ballad that is terrific also, but does not reach the class of "migrant". Do they also not at all, because with the bombastic orchestra towards the end of this song has its own unique magic. "Lost and Damned" is then again a faster number that is very catchy. "Helena's Theme" with female vocals is much too short. This time is introduced into an interlude, namely "Dawn (Interlude IV)". "The Mourning After (Carry On)" finally is an absolute killer, held in mid-tempo and very catchy. This, however, will not affect the complexity of the song. No, this song has many facets. Thus the conclusion is already achieved. "III Ways To Epica" may well liked, but accomplishes in comparison to the rest of the album is nothing special, although a successful conclusion. On the "Enhanced Digipack" also is still the bonus track "Snow" contains a more faster mid-tempo track, which is kept in the style of the album and can fell quite. Fans should definitely listen. Ultimately, "Epica" a work that can only be topped by Kamelot itself. This album is not easy music, it is a work of art. If all musicians so, our current music market would look very different. 5 star, what else? Point!
