EPICA reborn the "Attack on Titan" songs in a powerful symphonic metal form! EPICA VS attack on titan songs" Review

EPICA is a symphonic gothic metal band formed in the Netherlands in 2002.
The band utilizes brass, ethnic instruments, and choirs in addition to metal, and their music, which also has progressive elements, is profound and flamboyant. In April 2017, EPICA made a belated first visit to Japan, where they were greeted with great enthusiasm.
EPICA has released its first cover album, "EPICA VS attack on titan songs". The album includes three songs created for the TV anime "Shinkaku no Kyojin" and four songs that are couplings for Linked Horizon's hit single "Jiyu e no Shinkaku," which includes "Kouren no Yumiya" and other songs. All songs were created by sound creator "Revo" (released under the name "Linked Horizon," the music unit he presides over).

Listening to EPICA's reconstructed (covered) songs, one has the feeling of encountering another "Kouren no Yumiya" or "Jiyu no Tsubasa" that exists in a different world line. The songs have not lost their "Shinkage no Kyojin" aspect to such an extent that it is understandable that the members love the work so much.

On top of that, the song has a grandeur that is typical of symphonic metal music. One of the reasons for this is the vocal ability. Simone Simmons' mezzo-soprano vocals are beautiful and have a high affinity with the solemn chorus. The chorus changes its position in relation to the soloist at a dizzying pace, sometimes following along, sometimes taking each other's hand, but always creating a vocal space full of harmony. Moreover, the appearance of growls (grunts, death voices) in this space makes it even more complete. The growl is one of the most distinctive features of a metal band, and in the case of the songs on this album, it is nothing short of the biggest piece of the "Titan's" presence. The contrast with the simone and chorus evokes the confrontation with the object of fear.

The effect of the twin-pedal high-speed beat is also immense. In "Kouren no Yumiya," the biggest hit among the "Shinkage no Kyojin" songs, the arrangement is like a theatrical accompaniment music at the beginning, as if to express the beginning of the grand story of "Shinkage no Kyojin," but soon a series of bass drum beats reach our ears. You will hear the footsteps of the approaching Titans overlap with those of the horses driven by the Scout Regiment (the unit to which the main character Eren and his friends belong and which fights the Titans on the front line). The synths in the middle of the song give it an HR/HM feel, but you can also feel Eren's determination and frustration as he chooses his own path in life, despite being tossed around by the enemy. Ellen's presence can't help but be felt in EPICA's cover of the song as well.)

Wings of Freedom" was presented as the theme song when the focus of the story expanded to include not only Eren and his friends, but also the entire human race, and EPICA's song begins with a heroic, blast beat that expresses the increasingly intense battle "outside the walls. The choice of "If inside these walls is a house," which is not the theme song, must also be admired. The song expresses the fact that "Shinkage no Kyojin" is also an adventure story of the main character Eren and his best friend Armin (and Mikasa), and the transition from a symphonic sound to a metal sound is very reminiscent of the original song, while Simone's elongated vocals combine to create a lovely and brave song. The song is also sung by Simone, who sings with a lovely yet brave voice. And "Give me your heart". In some parts Simone sings as if she were giving a passionate speech, while in others the chorus takes center stage, making the more complex composition a multilayered piece. In particular, the bravery of the chorus naturally brings to mind the scene of the Scout Regiment singing in unison, even though there is no such scene in the original story.

EPICA expresses "Shinkage no Kyojin" in a way that Revo could never have done (perhaps due to the constraints of the theme song), and in a way that is unparalleled in his music. The composition of the song is rich in ups and downs like a story, and the symphonic metal elements are amplified to remind us of the superiority of the original song. EPICA's performance is superb, and we hope you will enjoy it as well.

(Text by Koji Shimizu)

CD Information

EPICA VS attack on titan songs

Release date: December 20, 2017

・Price: 1,500 yen (tax not included)

Release date: December 20, 2017 ・Price: 1,500 yen (tax not included) ・Sold by Word Records

<Tracks included>.

Crimson Bow and Arrow

Wings of Freedom

If Inside These Walls Was a House

Dedicate Your Heart! / Dedicate Your Heart!

Crimson Bow and Arrow (Instrumental)