The Quantum Enigma

The Quantum Enigma
Studio album by Epica
Released	May 2, 2014 (Europe) May 5, 2014 (United Kingdom) May 6, 2014 (North America)
Recorded	Sandlane Recording Facilities Rijen, The Netherlands (August 2013-March 2014)
Genre	Symphonic metal, Progressive metal
Length	68:13
Label	Nuclear Blast
Producer	Joost van den Broek Epica
Epica chronology
Requiem for the Indifferent (2012) The Quantum Enigma (2014)
Singles from The Quantum Enigma
"The Essence of Silence" Released: March 15, 2014 "Unchain Utopia" Released: April 4, 2014

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
About.com	[1]
Metalstorm	[2]
Metal-Temple	[3]
Sputnikmusic	[4]
Ultimate-guitar	[5]
Whiplash.net	[6]

The Quantum Enigma is the sixth studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released on May 2, 2014 by Nuclear Blast.^[7] It is their first studio album with new bassist Rob van der Loo, who replaced Yves Huts in 2012.^[8]

The album's cover artwork^[9] is done by Stefan Heilemann,^[10] who also did the cover artwork for the band's fourth and fifth albums.

Guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen explains: "I have been listening to our new album and I can't get enough of it! It sounds more modern, but with all typical Epica elements inside. Refreshing might be the right word. This album has also been the result of a real group effort." "It was great to see everyone being so motivated to create our best album!" "Even though the sound is more heavy (the guitars, bass and drums sound so brutal!!!), it's still a very catchy album as well. Some old influences from our earliest work, some references to 'Design Your Universe' and some new elements." "I can't wait 'till the moment you'll be able to listen to our newborn which makes us all very proud!"

Epica returned to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release performance at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands.^[11]

On March 18, "The Essence of Silence" was released as a single on iTunes (a.o.) in the United States.^[12]

"Unchain Utopia" became the second single released on April 4. In an interview with the Sonic Cathedral Webzine,^[13] vocalist Simone Simons had confirmed that a video for "Unchain Utopia" was set to be released soon. However, a lyric video was released instead, which features footage originally filmed for the music video.^[14]

Track listing

^{[15][16] [17][18]}

Personnel

Band members

• Simone Simons – lead vocals
• Mark Jansen – rhythm guitar, grunts, screams
• Isaac Delahaye – lead guitar, acoustic guitar, classic guitar
• Rob van der Loo – bass guitar
• Coen Janssen – synthesizer, piano
• Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums, growls, spoken word

Guest/session members

• Kamerkoor (Chamber choir) PA'dam
  • Conductor – Maria van Nieukerken
  • Soprano – Alfrun Schmid, Frederique Klooster, Martha Bosch, Silvia da Silva Martinho, Annemieke Nuijten
  • Alto – Astrid Krause, Annette Stallinga, Annette Vermeulen, Karen Langendonk
  • Tenor – Daan Verlaan, Koert Braches, Ruben de Grauw
  • Bass – Andreas Goetze, Angus van Grevenbroek, Jan Douwes
• Epica's Sandlane String Session
  • 1st violins – Ben Mathor, Marleen Wester, Ian de Jong, Emma van der Schalie, Merel Jonker
  • 2nd violins – Judith van Driel, Floortje Beljon, Loes Dooren, Vera van der Bie
  • Violas – Mark Mulder, Adriaan Breunis, Amber Hendriks
  • Celli – David Faber, Annie Tangberg, Jan Willem Troost, Thomas van Geelen
• Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion) – backing vocals
• Daniël de Jongh (Textures) – additional male vocals (13)

Crew

• Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Hatesphere, Amaranthe) – mixing
• Joost van den Broek (ex-After Forever) – producer, mastering
• Maarten de Peijper – sound engineer

Chart positions

References