Design Your Universe
Encyclopedia
Design Your Universe is the fourth full-length studio album by Dutch
symphonic metal
band Epica
. It was released on October 16, 2009.
, Germany
on March 2, 2009.
The band's previous album, The Divine Conspiracy
, was dealing with the idea that God created many religions and that it was to man to understand that they are all the same, and this album will be dealing with the power of thoughts and imaginations, as Mark Jansen
stated:
Tony Kakko (front man; Sonata Arctica
) said in an interview with "lagrosseradio":
Kakko is featured on the song "White Waters".
The song "Resign to Surrender" was published on the band's label website on September 23, 2009.
The video for "Unleashed" premiered on the band's MySpace site on September 25, 2009.
, which started on Consign to Oblivion
. The album debuted at #8 in the Dutch charts, being the highest position an Epica album has reached. The album remained on the chart for five weeks, and re-entered in #94 for one week due to the band's performance at the 2010 Pinkpop Festival
, Design Your Universe retains a 5-star rating.
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...
. It was released on October 16, 2009.
Pre-release and production
The band entered Gate Studio in WolfsburgWolfsburg
Wolfsburg is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located on the River Aller northeast of Braunschweig , and is mainly notable as the headquarters of Volkswagen AG...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
on March 2, 2009.
The band's previous album, 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...
, was dealing with the idea that God created many religions and that it was to man to understand that they are all the same, and this album will be dealing with the power of thoughts and imaginations, as Mark Jansen
Mark 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...
stated:
Tony Kakko (front man; Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
) said in an interview with "lagrosseradio":
Kakko is featured on the song "White Waters".
The song "Resign to Surrender" was published on the band's label website on September 23, 2009.
The video for "Unleashed" premiered on the band's MySpace site on September 25, 2009.
Reception
This album continues the saga A New Age DawnsA New Age Dawns
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...
, which started on 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....
. The album debuted at #8 in the Dutch charts, being the highest position an Epica album has reached. The album remained on the chart for five weeks, and re-entered in #94 for one week due to the band's performance at the 2010 Pinkpop Festival
Design Your Universe World Tour
After the release of Design Your Universe, Epica set out on a World Tour to support the album. They did a CD release party in Paradiso, Amsterdam. They performed at some summer festival concerts in the summer of 2010 and returned to the United States and Canada late fall 2010.Charts
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Top 30 Alternative (Netherlands) | 1 |
| Netherlands | 8 |
| US (Heatseekers) | 12 |
| Switzerland | 27 |
| France | 31 |
| Germany | 37 |
| Austria | 70 |
Reception
Reception from critics has been positive, and several critics awarded the album their highest available scores. Among fans, reception has been overwhelmingly positive, and on iTunesITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, Design Your Universe retains a 5-star rating.
Band line-up
- Simone SimonsSimone SimonsSimone Johanna Maria Simons is a Dutch coloratura mezzo-soprano singer who is the lead vocalist of symphonic metal band Epica.-Biography:...
– mezzo-soprano vocalsMezzo-sopranoA mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above... - Mark JansenMark JansenMark 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...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, gruntsDeath growlA death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
, screamsScreaming (music)Screaming is a vocal technique that is most popular in subgenres of heavy metal, punk and hard rock, including metalcore, deathcore, post-hardcore, groove metal, black metal, and grindcore... - Isaac DelahayeIsaac DelahayeIsaac Delahaye was the lead guitarist for the Dutch death metal band God Dethroned. Delahaye replaced former guitarist Jens Van Der Valk after he left in 2004. He joined the band after a request from drummer and longtime friend Ariën van Weesenbeek, and after several meetings with Von Weesenbeek...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure... - Yves Huts – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Coen Janssen – synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Ariën van WeesenbeekAriën Van WeesenbeekAriën van Weesenbeek is the drummer for the Dutch death metal band God Dethroned.Ariën started as a 3 year old smashing furniture with spoons and forks before discovering his dad's drum kit....
– drums, gruntsDeath growlA death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
, spoken wordSpoken wordSpoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
Guest musicians
- Tony KakkoTony KakkoToni Kristian "Tony" Kakko is a Finnish musician, composer and vocalist. He is mainly known as the vocalist, primary songwriter, and creative force in the band Sonata Arctica since 1996.-Biography:...
– Clean male vocals (on "White Waters") - Amanda SomervilleAmanda SomervilleAmanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter and vocal coach.- Personal life :Somerville was born in Flushing, Michigan, and attended Flushing Senior High School and the University of Michigan in Flint, Michigan...
– Soprano vocals (on "Unleashed (Duet Version)")