Requiem for the Indifferent

Requiem for the Indifferent is the sixth full-length album from The Netherlands'Epica. For those who don't know, Epica play Symphonic/Power Metal with female lead vocals courtesy of Simone Simons. Simons has a beautiful voice which brings a depth of emotion to Epica's music that is missing from many female-fronted bands. Requiem for the Indifferent is a lush, larger-than-life album, as befits the Symphonic genre. The band uses choirs frequently, giving songs like "Monopoly on Truth" and "Internal Warfare" an operatic flair. Ballads, which showcase Simons' voice, like "Delirium" and "Deep Water Horizon," are also represented, but the best songs on Requiem for the Indifferent are the anthems. The catchy "Guilty Demeanor" and even catchier "Storm the Sorrow" are instant sing-a-longs. The songs are uniformly excellent and the sequencing precludes any lulls.

Requiem for the Indifferent reminds me of Nightwish's Dark Passion Play and really, that might be the album's only fault. It is expertly played but I wouldn't say it is significantly better than other albums in the genre, nor does it push the envelope. In the end that is a small nit to pick with an album of this high quality. For fans of female-fronted Symphonic/Power Metal Requiem for the Indifferent is a no-brainer. Go and get it.