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Epica - The Phantom Agony



8.4 | 661 votes |
Release date: 5 June 2003
Style: Symphonic metal

Owners:

735 have it
63 want it
1 trades it


01. Adyta (The Neverending Embrace)
02. Sensorium
03. Cry For The Moon (The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV)
04. Feint
05. Illusive Consensus
06. Façade Of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers - Part V)
07. Run For A Fall
08. Seif al Din (The Embrace That Smothers - Part VI)
09. The Phantom Agony
10. Veniality [bonus]
11. Triumph Of Defeat [Japanese bonus]

2013 Reissue
Disc I
01. Adyta (The Neverending Embrace)
02. Sensorium
03. Cry For The Moon (The Embrace That Smothers - Part Ⅳ)
04. Feint
05. Illusive Consensus
06. Façade Of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers - Part Ⅴ)
07. Run For A Fall
08. Seif al Din (The Embrace That Smothers - Part Ⅵ)
09. The Phantom Agony
10. Veniality
11. The Phantom Agony [single mix version]
12. Triumph Of Defeat

Disc II
01. Adyta [orchestral version]
02. Sensorium [orchestral version]
03. Cry For The Moon [orchestral version]
04. Feint [orchestral version]
05. Illusive Consensus [orchestral version]
06. Basic Instinct
07. Run For A Fall [orchestral version]
08. The Phantom Agony [orchestral version]
09. Veniality [orchestral version]
10. Feint [piano version]
11. Cry For The Moon [single mix version]
12. Run For A Fall [single mix version]

Additional info
Also as Digibook.

Bonus track for Japan:
10. Triumph of Defeat (Instrumental) (03:58)

"The Embrace That Smothers" concept actually began on the After Forever album "Prison of Desire."

The songs of 'Cry For The Moon' and 'Illusive Consensus' are re-recordings of tracks with the same names from the 'Cry For The Moon' demo the band released while they where still called 'Sahara Dust'.

This album's lyrics are mostly based on events that happened during the writing of the album.
"Cry for the Moon" is based on the abuse of children by Catholic priests. It has been released as a single in 2004.
"Feint" was written after the murder of Pim Fortuyn.
"Façade of Reality" is based on the September 11, 2001 attacks. It features two fragments from a speech by Tony Blair.
"Run for a Fall" expresses Mark's frustrations towards his former band After Forever.
"Seif al Din" is about Islamic fundamentalism.

The song "Illusive Consensus" is featured in the South Korean movie "Baramui Fighter" ("Fighter In The Wind").

Staff review by
Malcolm
Rating:
9.0
I guess that no one hasn't heard that Mark Jansen had to leave After Forever in April 2002; it was quite big news in the Metal world.
And then did his little side project, Sahara Dust become his fulltime band, Good or bad? Well, I guess good, now we have two bands in the same genre, even if I like Epica a bit more than After Forever.

Read more ››
published 02.12.2003 | Comments (8)

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Comments

Comments: 11   [ 1 ignored ]   Visited by: 914 users
06.05.2010 - 12:42
Rating: 9
Akerfeldt

This is an excellent gothic metal or symphonic metal album!! The growl and clean vocals are perfect and the guitars riffs give some much power with the symphonic parts. Great music from a very good band. Everyone that like gothic metal must listen this album!!
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21.08.2010 - 16:44
Wishmaster
Account deleted
I don't get it? Why do a lot of people criticize Simone's vocals on this album? I think her vocals aren't so bad on this album. It's just an opinion, I guess...
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21.08.2010 - 16:47
Wishmaster
Account deleted
Written by Akerfeldt on 06.05.2010 at 12:42

This is an excellent gothic metal or symphonic metal album!! The growl and clean vocals are perfect and the guitars riffs give some much power with the symphonic parts. Great music from a very good band. Everyone that like gothic metal must listen this album!!


I agree. Btw, this is symphonic metal, but they don't mind being called a gothic metal band.
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16.07.2011 - 08:30
Rating: 9
ohmayhem

Written by Guest on 21.08.2010 at 16:44

I don't get it? Why do a lot of people criticize Simone's vocals on this album? I think her vocals aren't so bad on this album. It's just an opinion, I guess...


She was around 18 years old when this was released, and it's in my knowledge that she begun singing at age 15; that's only 3 years of experience. I'm guessing that she just hadn't solidified her style quite yet.
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22.01.2012 - 16:51
Rating: 9
musicalkaratekid

Rekindled my love for this band...such a great album.
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08.10.2012 - 21:09
Rating: 10
Echonia

One of the best symphonic metal albums (not gothic). And a great debut. Everything is perfect for me. Choirs , guitars , violins , lyrics. Simone was 17-18 years old so she was a litle bit unexperienced but her voice was so peaceful and angelic. I love her.
'Facade of reality' , 'Phantom Agony' and of course 'Cry for the moon' are the highlights!
----
We are just..a moment in time!
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12.10.2012 - 20:33
Rating: 9
Constantine

My all time fav in the genre.
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21.10.2012 - 18:05
Rating: 9
Erik M.

A brilliant album, as well as my absolute favourite album of Epica. It blows every other album out of the water, even Design Your Universe. Lyrically it's the best as well.
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22.12.2012 - 16:32
Rating: 10
mayoarm

This is a perfect album in what it's trying to do. The seemingly simplistic, catchy songwriting is incredible. Everything fits together perfectly to form the ultimate gothic metal album.
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05.03.2014 - 17:16
Rating: 5
Interrobang
Chief Sturgeon
I'd quite like this album if that twat Tony Blair wasn't on it. Why, Epica, why?
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30.06.2014 - 08:32
ElMarcado
Account deleted
This album is so innocent, and very well balanced.
A good Symphonic Metal album with a touch of Goth influences.
Never pretentious or exaggerated like post-Consign To Oblivion.
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