Following the conclusion of their Arcane Dimensions Tour earlier this year, EPICA continues expanding the promotional cycle behind Aspiral with the release of a new live version of “Sirens – Of Blood And Water,” featuring special guests Alissa White-Gluz, Elize Ryd, and Charlotte Wessels.
The performance was captured during the biggest headlining concert in EPICA's history at Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome, where the band performed in front of 10,000 sold-out fans.
One of the standout tracks from Aspiral, the song takes on an entirely different dimension in a live setting thanks to the combination of four distinct vocal identities. Alissa White-Gluz's aggressive intensity, Elize Ryd's melodic approach and Charlotte Wessels' characteristic style complement EPICA's symphonic framework, adding even greater scale and emotion to the performance.
Beyond the touring cycle and large-scale performances, Aspiral represents a particularly important moment in EPICA's career. The band's ninth studio album presents a group that, after more than two decades together, appears to have reached a renewed creative balance.
The conceptual origins of the record began during the pandemic lockdown when bassist Rob van der Loo watched the documentary Struggle: The Lost Art of Stanislav Szukalski. Inspired by the Polish artist's sculptures and visual storytelling, he initially envisioned composing instrumental music inspired by the works.
Over time, that separate idea gradually evolved into the foundation for Aspiral itself.
The album title comes from a bronze sculpture created by Stanisław Szukalski in 1965, depicting cycles of reconstruction and evolution leading toward civilization and renewal — themes the band embraced as symbols of artistic rebirth.
Prior to reaching this stage, EPICA experienced one of the busiest periods of its career. Following Omega, the band experimented with new creative directions through The Alchemy Project, collaborating with artists including Myrkur, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Uriah Heep. They later embarked on a major world tour, joined Metallica for selected performances and sold out four Symphonic Synergy concerts featuring a large orchestra and choir.
