The Divine Conspiracy is the third studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica as well as their first concept album. It was released through Nuclear Blast in Japan on 22 August 2007, in the US on 28 August, in Europe on 7 September, and in the UK on 10 September. The concept that guides the songs is that God created many different religions for humanity to figure out and overcome them so as to discover that, in nature and essence, they were all in fact the same one (hence the name, "The Divine Conspiracy"). Aside from the concept of such a conspiracy, The Divine Conspiracy finalizes The Embrace That Smothers, which began in After Forever's Prison of Desire (Prologue and parts I-III) and continued in Epica's The Phantom Agony (parts IV-VI). In short, The Embrace That Smothers is a collection of 10 songs (Prologue and parts I-IX), which talks about the dangers of organized religion.
Simone Simons – lead vocals Mark Jansen – rhythm guitar, grunts Ad Sluijter – lead guitar Yves Huts – bass Coen Janssen – synths, piano, baritone vocals on "Beyond Belief"
Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums Sander Gommans – death grunts on "Death of a Dream" Olaf Reitmeier – acoustic guitar on "Chasing the Dragon", baritone vocals on "Beyond Belief", engineering, editor Amanda Somerville – spoken words in "The Obsessive Devotion", backing vocals, vocal lines arrangements and production, vocal coaching, engineering Gjalt Lucassen – priest in "Living a Lie" Jaff Wade – spoken words in "Fools of Damnation"
Amanda Somerville, Bridget Foggle, Cinzia Rizzo, Linda Janssen-van Summeren, Melvin Edmondsen, Previn Moore
Produced by Sascha Paeth, the group's new album features the best of their previous two albums with some new touches, often going beyond the predictable limits of the female-fronted gothic metal genre. 'The Divine Conspiracy' is their most ambitious album so far.
After a hectic and moving period, including Jeroen Simons' departure in 2006, the bankruptcy of their first record label, and the never-ending postponing of their live dvd, Epica now return stronger than ever.
They've beefed up their overall sound, in particual God Dethroned drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek's session appearance has fueled the music. Known as an extremely tight and solid metal drummer, Ariën adds lots of power and groove to the songs. Simply impressive are his eaks and his timing.
Dutch symphonic metal formation Epica have truly surpassed themselves with 'The Divine Conspiracy'.
