Epica: The Quantum Enigma [2014]

Released	May 2, 2014 (Europe) May 5, 2014 (United Kingdom) May 6, 2014 (North America)
Recorded	Sandlane Recording Facilities Rijen, The Netherlands (October 2013-January 2014)
Genre	Symphonic metal
Length	68:13
Label	Nuclear Blast
Producer	Joost van den Broek Epica

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 fourthand 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

Disc 1 (Standard Edition)
No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Length
1.	“Originem”	Mark Jansen	Bob Katsionis and Epica	2:11
2.	“The Second Stone”	Simone Simons	Isaac Delahaye & Epica	5:00
3.	“The Essence of Silence”	Jansen	Ariën van Weesenbeek & Epica	4:47
4.	“Victims of Contingency”	Jansen	Jansen, Epica, Jack Driessen & Frank Schiphorst	3:31
5.	“Sense Without Sanity” (The Impervious Code)	Jansen	Mark Jansen & Epica	7:42
6.	“Unchain Utopia”	Simons	Isaac Delahaye & Epica	4:45
7.	“The Fifth Guardian” (Interlude)		Delahaye, Coen Janssen & Miro Rodenberg	3:04
8.	“Chemical Insomnia”	Simons	Isaac Delahaye & Epica	5:12
9.	“Reverence” (Living in the Heart)	Jansen	van Weesenbeek & Epica	5:02
10.	“Omen” (The Ghoulish Malady)	Jansen	Jansen & Epica	5:28
11.	“Canvas of Life”	Simons	Janssen & Epica	5:28
12.	“Natural Corruption”	Simons	Delahaye & Epica	5:24
13.	“The Quantum Enigma” (Kingdom of Heaven Part II)	Jansen	Jansen & Epica	11:53