1311 - Epica The Phantom Agony 2003

From the ashes of early After Forever came Epica, Mark Jansens's band that would continue the more serious symphonic qualities that his old band would soon abandon. The result is a high quality work that would not only fulfill the 'Embrace' series that the author began with the other band, but add a new vocalist, Simone Simons (who sounds remarkably like Floor, but would surpass her talents by Divine Conspiracy), and a new level of quality and classical melody. The title track, an “epic” journey, clocking around 9 minutes, includes beautifully arranged string sections in the beginning and end, and great lead choirs.