The Alchemy Project Explained
| The Alchemy Project |
| Type: | EP |
| Artist: | Epica |
| Cover: | The Alchemy Project.jpg |
| Released: | November 11, 2022 |
| Recorded: | April 2022 |
| Studio: | Sandlane Recording Facilities, Rijen, Netherlands |
| Genre: | Symphonic metal |
| Length: | 35:54 |
| Label: |
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| Producer: | - Joost van den Broek
- Epica
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| Prev Title: | Ωmega |
| Prev Year: | 2021 |
The Alchemy Project is the third EP by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It features seven songs, all co-written and performed with guest artists.[1] The lyrical content mainly deals with apocalyptic themes (with the exception of "Sirens - Of Blood And Water").
Background, composition and release
The EP was announced on September 16, 2022 with the release of its first single, "The Final Lullaby" (featuring the band Shining). Rob van der Loo stated that the song was intended to be a "mash-up" between the two bands' sounds, for which he "would come up with some riffs that would be typical Shining and they would do the complete opposite". The band also teased that the EP would include the "heaviest death metal track we’ve ever recorded": "Human Devastation".[2]
On the release date of the EP on November 11, 2022,[3] the band also uploaded a music video for the song "Sirens - Of Blood And Water", which features both Charlotte Wessels (Delain) and Amalie Bruun (Myrkur).[4] The song stems from Simons and Wessels' shared fascination of The Little Mermaid, and is told from the perspective of the protagonist's sisters.[5]
The album cover was designed by German visual artist Stefan "Heilemania" Heilemann.[6]
Personnel
Credits for The Alchemy Project adapted from liner notes.[7] Epica
- Simone Simons – lead vocals, photography
- Mark Jansen – rhythm guitar, grunts
- Isaac Delahaye – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
- Coen Janssen – keyboards, synthesizers, piano, choir scoring
- Rob van der Loo – bass
- Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums
Guest musicians
Choir – Kamerkoor PA'dam
- Maria van Nieukerken – choir director
- Martha Bosch, Frédérique Klooster, Annemieke Nuijten, Alfrun Schmidt – sopranos
- Karne Langnedonk, Cecile Roovers, Annemarie Verburg, Annette Vermeulen – altos
- Guido Groenland, Henk Gunneman, René Veen, Joost van Velzen – tenors
- Jan Douwes, Jan Hoffmann, Martijn de Graaf Bierbrauwer, Angus van Grevenbroek – basses
- Gjalt Lucassen, Jaap Toorenar – Latin translation
Strings
- Ben Mathot, Ian de Jong – 1st violin
- Loes Dooren, Sabine Torrico-Poiesz – 2nd violin
- Mark Mulder, Adriaan Breunis – viola
- Marije de Jong, Eilidh Martin – cello
- Robin Assen – strings scoring
Production
- Joost van den Broek – producer, engineer, editing, mixing
- Jos Driessen – engineer, editing, mixing
- Darius van Helfteren – mastering
- Stefan Heilemann – art direction, design, photography
- Tim Tronckoe, Sandra Ludewig, Chantik Photography, Lotte Verdellen – photography
Notes and References
- Web site: EPICA Announces 'The Alchemy Project' . BLABBERMOUTH.NET . 24 June 2024 . en . 16 September 2022.
- Web site: Pre-order New Mini-album, ‘The Alchemy Project’ + New Single, “The Final Lullaby” (feat. Shining) Out Now! EPICA Official Website . Epica.nl . 24 June 2024 . tapann . en.
- Web site: Spotify . open.spotify.com . 26 June 2024.
- Web site: EPICA - "Sirens - Of Blood And Water" feat. Charlotte Wessels & Myrkur (Official Music Video) . YouTube.com . 26 June 2024 . 11 November 2022.
- Web site: Hear the Sirens’ Call as ‘The Alchemy Project’ is Out Today! EPICA Official Website . Epica.nl . 24 June 2024 . en.
- Web site: EPICA – new EP & music video for ‘The Final Lullaby (feat. Shining)’! Atomic Fire Records . Label.AtomicFire-Records.com . 26 June 2024 . afireann.
- (2022). "The Alchemy Project liner notes". In The Alchemy Project [Vinyl lyric sheets]. Atomic Fire.
