In its best moments, the dual sex voiced Dutch treat recalls labelmates Therion (the bouncy title cut, in particular), while at the weaker end of the spectrum, Epica now comes off as a second rate, modern sounding Within Temptation. Odd, for a band that has made a living out of writing movie scores and adopting classical pieces to call their own. While Simone Simons is still the vocal point, the gruff/death vox of founder/guitarist Mark Jansen, once restricted to just a few songs each outing, is prominently featured throughout.

‘Anima’ is a 83 second instrumental, joining the similarly voiceless ‘Karma’ opener and full ballad ‘Delirium’ on the first half of the disc. ‘Monopoly On Truth’ is easily identifiable as Epica. Ditto the (prophetically entitled?) ‘Stay The Course’, even with its overindulgence of Jansen, but much of ‘Requiem’ (as the name implies) is slower, brooding mood music. ‘Deep Water Horizon’ begins with acoustic guitar atop Simons haunting voice. The massive 9:55 ‘Serenade Of Self-Destruction’, which initially makes good use of piano, ends the proper album, although ‘Twin Flames (Soundtrack Version)’, an ethereal 14th track, has been added to the North American edition.