The Divine Conspiracy

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The Divine Conspiracy
Studio album by Epica
Released	August 22, 2007 Japan August 28, 2007 USA September 7, 2007 EU September 10, 2007 UK
Genre	Symphonic metal
Length	75:36
Label	Nuclear Blast
Producer	Sascha Paeth
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link Lords of Metal link Metal Observer link Metal Reviews link Metal Review link
Epica chronology
The Road to Paradiso (2006) The Divine Conspiracy (2007)

The Divine Conspiracy is the fourth full-length studio album by the Dutch symphonic metal ensemble Epica. It was released on September 7, 2007 through Nuclear Blast. It is the band's first concept album. The idea behind it is that God created many different religions for humanity to figure out and overcome their superficial differences and to discover their true nature, which is the same for all of them. The album features a session appearance by the God Dethroned drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek, who is now a full-time member of the band, following the departure of Jeroen Simons in 2006. The album also features a guest performance from Sander Gommans (After Forever), who contributed grunt vocals for the song "Death of a Dream." The European digipak version of the album contains a cover of Fear Factory's "Replica".

[edit] Track listing

The following track list was officially revealed on June 13, 2007^[1]:

1. "Indigo ~ prologue" - 2:05
2. "The Obsessive Devotion" - 7:13
3. "Menace of Vanity" - 4:13
4. "Chasing the Dragon" - 7:40
5. "Never Enough" - 4:47
6. "La‘petach Chatat Rovetz ~ the Last Embrace" - 1:46
7. "Death of a Dream ~ the Embrace that Smothers part VII" - 6:03
8. "Living a Lie ~ the Embrace that Smothers part VIII" - 4:56
9. "Fools of Damnation ~ the Embrace that Smothers part IX" - 8:42
10. "Beyond Belief" - 5:25
11. "Safeguard to Paradise" - 3:46
12. "Sancta Terra" - 4:57
13. "The Divine Conspiracy" - 13:56
14. "Higher High" (Bonus Track) - 5:27
15. "Replica" (Fear Factory Cover) (Bonus Track) - 4:10

[edit] Credits

• Simone Simons - Lead Vocals
• Mark Jansen - Rhythm Guitars, Grunts
• Ad Sluijter - Lead Guitars
• Coen Janssen - Piano & Synths
• Yves Huts - Bass Guitar
• Ariën Van Weesenbeek - Drums

Guest appearances:

• Sander Gommans - Death Grunts on "Death of a Dream ~ The Embrace That Smothers part VII"
• Olaf Reitmeier - Acoustic Guitars on "Chasing The Dragon"
• Amanda Somerville - Spoken words in "The Obsessive Devotion"
• Gjalt Lucassen - Priest in "Living a Lie ~ The Embrace That Smothers part VIII"
• Jaff Wade - Spoken words in "Fools of Damnation ~ The Embrace That Smothers part IX"

[edit] References

v • d • e Epica (2003 -) Simone Simons | Mark Jansen | Ad Sluijter | Yves Huts | Coen Janssen | Ariën van Weesenbeek Jeroen Simons | Helena Michaelsen Demos "Cry for the Moon" Studio albums & EPs "The Phantom Agony" | "Consign to Oblivion" | "The Score - An Epic Journey" | "The Divine Conspiracy" Singles "The Phantom Agony" | "Feint" | "Cry for the Moon" | "Solitary Ground" | "Quietus (Silent Reverie)" | "Never Enough" Compilations The Road to Paradiso Videos and DVDs We Will Take You with Us Associated acts After Forever | Kamelot