Magnus

Just in time for Santa

Meanwhile, Ghost Love Score from Wacken 2018 has been released on this compilation (both physically and digitally): https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Various_Artists_Live_At_Wacken_2018_29_Years_Loude?id=Bpxm4nal2qbeotnjznehn74ykd4 This page includes an audio preview.

Watch the full M'era Luna show here: https://www.arte.tv/de/videos/089778-008-A/within-temptation-m-era-luna-2019/ Was shared by the band's official social media accounts

I know. It's just that we've heard a few tracks already and none of them have grabbed me... so I'm now expecting the worst but still hoping for the best, as they say.

Tears in Rain doesn't do it for me. I'm starting to worry the entire album will be full of songs like the ones with heard so far. In that case, it just won't be for me. I've really been hoping that she'd return to and improve on the direction she took with Colours in the Dark but I guess that's not gonna happen.

There seems to be more "space" and separation of the different layers in the new mix, which is good. It doesn't sound as tightly compressed as the original mix. I like that Simone's vocals are more audible here. More reverb on the choir too. Simone looks beautiful in this clip, although she also look bored out of her mind. Almost like she's taking the piss by intentionally making a half-hearted effort because the label wanted her to be in the video and she couldn't care less. That's just the vibe I'm getting. She looks way more engaged in their proper music videos.

Yeah, the piano version is great. Reminds me a lot of Safeguard to Paradise (just not as good, but a massive improvement over the original arrangement).

They could have chosen Devil & the Deep Dark Ocean. I really hope this song gets chosen as one of the ~3 clips that will promote the upcoming DVD/BD.

Personally, I think she looks better without the nose ring, but if she likes wearing it that's really all that matters. Her body, her choice. Anyway, I think the photos look really nice so far. I wonder if there are any group photos? I'm guessing Tuomas and Tarja won't be in the same picture any time soon, but maybe Floor, Marko and Tuomas? I'd love a picture with the "Dutchesses" of symphonic metal; Floor, Sharon, Simone, Anneke, Charlotte and Dianne.

It is. The remasters of TPA and CTO are major improvements over the originals.

http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/list/year?artist=epica TDC and the original master of TPA are a bit worse.

My current ranking would probably be: Design Your Universe Requiem for the Indifferent The Holographic Principle The Quantum Enigma The Divine Conspiracy The Phantom Agony Consign to Oblivion I think what's preventing Requiem from taking the top spot for me is the production. But on the other hand, I also don't necessarily like the over produced sound of their two most recent albums. Design Your Universe strikes a good balance between sounding professional but not too polished. There's a certain charm to Requiem sounding so raw though. I feel like it showcases what the band is capable of, without sounding all beefed up by way of studio magic. It also has the most dynamic range as a result, although I think that was an unintentional side effect of the way it's produced.

Finally some professional photographs of her where she doesn't strike the same old pose with her mouth half open. She looks really good in that clip.

This YouTube comment is so accurate and made me literally laugh out loud: