Consign To Oblivion begins with "Hanab K'u" (A New Age Dawns) an intro that comes across like the beginning of an epic movie. Personally, it sounds like the score from the movie "Conan The Barbarian", which makes me all the more interested. Quickly following is a piece entitled "Dance Of Fate". The band doesn't hold anything back, the music comes galloping wildly all about the place. Simone's pristine vocals are backed by elegant orchestrations and a loud choir. In the breakdown of the chorus is where you'll find the climax of the song, it's an explosion of melody and beauty. "The Last Crusade" offers up another piece of traveling music, this time out the verses of the tune showcase soft breakdowns where Simone's vocals rival the sounds of sirens. Ahhh! How lovely and truly passionate are her vocals. The song structure and layout is magnificent, Jansen and co. never fail to deliver the goods. Simone definitely gives one of her best performances on "Solitary Ground", a smashing ballad about finding your innerself no matter how painful it may seem. The band itself does an excellent job music-wise as the song is perfectly illustrated and executed. Jansen joins in with his rich, strong vocals on the duet "Trois Vierges", though Simone's powerful Mezzo Soprano voice steals the show. The music of this ballad is complex to say the least, it's strictly orchestra based. Call me crazy, but this track could definitely find its way onto the Broadway stage, it's just that powerful. Every composition on Consign is a masterpiece of unadulterated bliss and hopefulness for a brighter tomorrow.

Epica has grown by leaps and bounds, their growth and maturity is strongly represented throughout this album. I've always been a fan of Symphonic Metal, specifically this band, but I never really considered them or the music to be contemporary, but it becomes more than obvious that with every listen the music crosses the adult contemporary line. No, this doesn't mean I'm calling them boring or old, not by any means. I'm simply saying, you cannot tag or dismiss this band or album specifically as Metal. Epica is the real deal and soon the world is going to have to deal with them. Consign To Oblivion is definitely in the top ten of albums released this year.

Although "Feint" is not a brand new track, the version that appears on this release is an acoustic rendition. This is not your everyday unplugged type of music, not by a long shot. When I say acoustic I mean, no drums or electric guitars; just Simon's vocals, elegant strings and piano orchestrations that make me drunk with memories of candlelit nights of wine, love and ecstasy that have passed. "Run For A Fall" is also a previously released track that has been given the same treatment as "Feint". This track conveys a much more somber side of the band. Instead of looking back and smiling due to great memories, I remember back to the harder times before there was a wonderful woman to share in my life. The most surprising track on this cd is a smashing rendition of "Memory" which was made famous by the musical Cats. This tune was done strictly by the book, the tempo is purrfect! I really have to give it up for Simon, once more. This is one of the most beautiful vocal performances I've ever heard. The original version which featured Elaine Page can't touch this version. This, my friends, is what real music is all about and I highly doubt I'll have the pleasure of hearing a better vocalist than Simon.

With the release of "2 meter sessies We Will Take You With Us", Epica, has arrived to claim the throne of Symphonic Metal Gods. There simply isn't a band out right now that can touch the finesse and heart that Epica bares in their music. If you are a fan of the Symphony, Operas or Metal, you must have this disc!