A New Age Dawns
Encyclopedia
A New Age Dawns is the collective title for a series of songs written and performed by the Dutch
symphonic metal
band Epica
.
The first four songs were released on Epica's 2005 album Consign to Oblivion
. These first four installments, as well as the rest of the songs on the album, were heavily influenced by the collapse of the Mayan Civilization.
The series was not continued in Epica's 2007 release, The Divine Conspiracy
, perhaps leading fans to believe that there would be no continuing parts. On July 30, 2009, however, Epica released the artwork and track listing of their 5th studio
album, Design Your Universe
, which contained the following 3 parts of A New Age Dawns.
And later on in the same song:
mentioned that a influential factor in the songs was the idea that the mind could influence the matter around it, hence the name "Design Your Universe."
On September 23, 2009, the song “Resign To Surrender” was released via Nuclear Blast’s official MySpace. Midway through the song, we hear the first direct reference to “A New Age Dawns”:
This sequence of song could also be seen as a character eventually coming to the choice to "Design (His/her) Own Universe". From going from a victim to being a person actually taking charge of their life. This would be seen in the lyrics of the final two songs of the sequence of songs. These lyrics involve a more proactive feeling opposed to the first sequence of songs which are more things which could lead to their downfall, to the final songs name which is Design Your Universe.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
symphonic metal
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
band Epica
Epica (band)
Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen, respectively. All six members write...
.
The first four songs were released on Epica's 2005 album Consign to Oblivion
Consign to Oblivion
Consign to Oblivion is the second studio-album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, and was released in April 2005. "Trois Vierges" features a guest appearance by Kamelot vocalist Roy Khan. The album's lyrics are heavily influenced by Mayan Civilization. The CD was released with copy control on it....
. These first four installments, as well as the rest of the songs on the album, were heavily influenced by the collapse of the Mayan Civilization.
The series was not continued in Epica's 2007 release, The Divine Conspiracy
The Divine Conspiracy
The Divine Conspiracy is the third full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica as well as their first concept album. It was released on September 7, 2007 through Nuclear Blast in Europe...
, perhaps leading fans to believe that there would be no continuing parts. On July 30, 2009, however, Epica released the artwork and track listing of their 5th studio
album, Design Your Universe
Design Your Universe
Design Your Universe is the fourth full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released on October 16, 2009.-Pre-release and production:The band entered Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany on March 2, 2009....
, which contained the following 3 parts of A New Age Dawns.
Song listing
| # | Title | Length | Band | Album | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prologue | Hunab K'u | 1:43 | Epica Epica (band) Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen, respectively. All six members write... |
Consign to Oblivion Consign to Oblivion Consign to Oblivion is the second studio-album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, and was released in April 2005. "Trois Vierges" features a guest appearance by Kamelot vocalist Roy Khan. The album's lyrics are heavily influenced by Mayan Civilization. The CD was released with copy control on it.... |
2005 |
| 1 | The Last Crusade | 4:22 | Epica | Consign to Oblivion | 2005 |
| 2 | Mother of Light | 5:56 | Epica | Consign to Oblivion | 2005 |
| 3 | Consign to Oblivion | 9:45 | Epica | Consign to Oblivion | 2005 |
| 4 | Resign to Surrender | 6:21 | Epica | Design Your Universe Design Your Universe Design Your Universe is the fourth full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released on October 16, 2009.-Pre-release and production:The band entered Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany on March 2, 2009.... |
2009 |
| 5 | Kingdom of Heaven | 13:37 | Epica | Design Your Universe | 2009 |
| 6 | Design Your Universe | 9:29 | Epica | Design Your Universe | 2009 |
Parts 1-3
The first four installments were heavily influenced by the collapse of the Mayan Civilization. On a broader prospect, they dealt with the idea that it is often our lack of action that results in our own downfall, demonstrated in the title track "Consign to Oblivion" (Part 3):
"How can we let this happen and just keep our eyes closed till the end? When we will stand in front of Heaven's Gate, it will be too late!"
And later on in the same song:
"Our good intentions have always been delayed so our generous acts have always come too late."
Parts 4-6
Very little is known about the lyrical content of the following 3 installments. When speaking of the new album, JansenMark Jansen
Mark Jansen, , is a heavy metal musician.As guitarist, Jansen founded After Forever with Sander Gommans, and was one of the main songwriters since their debut album Prison of Desire. He left After Forever in 2002, and after his departure the band took a new musical direction...
mentioned that a influential factor in the songs was the idea that the mind could influence the matter around it, hence the name "Design Your Universe."
On September 23, 2009, the song “Resign To Surrender” was released via Nuclear Blast’s official MySpace. Midway through the song, we hear the first direct reference to “A New Age Dawns”:
"There is hope along the way, and there a new age dawns."
This sequence of song could also be seen as a character eventually coming to the choice to "Design (His/her) Own Universe". From going from a victim to being a person actually taking charge of their life. This would be seen in the lyrics of the final two songs of the sequence of songs. These lyrics involve a more proactive feeling opposed to the first sequence of songs which are more things which could lead to their downfall, to the final songs name which is Design Your Universe.