The Phantom Agony

The Phantom Agony

The Phantom Agony

Track Listings
 
1. Adyta (The Neverending Embrace)
2. Sensorium
3. Cry for the Moon (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 4)
4. Feint
5. Illusive Consensus
6. Façade of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 5)
7. Run for a Fall
8. Seif al Din (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 6)
9. Phantom Agony
10. Phantom Agony [Single Version][*]

The Phantom Agony,Epica,The End Records,Heavy Metal,Pop,Rock
The Phantom Agony
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Phantom Agony
    Epica
    Manufacturer: Import [Generic]
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
    Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
    Hard Rock & MetalHard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
    RockRock | Imports | Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Consign to Oblivion
    2. After Forever
    3. Prison of Desire
    4. Score: An Epic Journey
    5. The Heart of Everything

    ASIN: B0000X2DMA
    Release Date: 2003-11-17

    Tracks:

    1. Adyta (The Neverending Embrace)
    2. Sensorium
    3. Cry for the Moon (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 4)
    4. Feint
    5. Illusive Consensus
    6. Fae of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 5)
    7. Run for a Fall
    8. Seif al Din (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 6)
    9. Phantom Agony
    10. Triumph of Defeat (Bonus Track) [*][Instrumental]

    Album Description

    Asian exclusive release of 2003 debut album for goth-metal act featuring ex-After Forever guitarist Mark Jansen. Includes the bonus track 'Triumph Of Defeat'. Seoul Record.

    Album Details

    Asian Version featuring a Bonus Track: "Triumph of Defeat".
    Ultimate Broadway II: The Very Best of Broadway Now
    Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
    • redux
    • Moderate Quality
    • POOR EXCUSE FOR SOME GOOD THEATER MUSIC
    		 Ultimate Broadway II: The Very Best of Broadway Now
    Various Artists
    Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by BernsteinAll Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by PucciniAll Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
    MusicalsMusicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Ultimate Broadway
    2. Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need
    3. The Best Of Broadway (Cast Recording Anthology)
    4. Greatest Songs from the Musicals
    5. Very Best Of Broadway Musicals

    ASIN: B000092Q7E
    Release Date: 2003-05-20

    Tracks:

    1. Overture (from Gypsy) - London Cast Recording
    2. Man of La Mancha (I, Don Quixote) - Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ernie Sabella
    3. Run, Freedom, Run! - Hunter Foster
    4. Your Daddy's Son - Ted Sperling, Ragtime Orchestra
    5. Music Of The Night (From The Phantom Of The Opera) - Colm Wilkinson
    6. All That Jazz (from "Chicago") - Bebe Neuwirth
    7. Gimme Gimme - Michael Rafter
    8. La boh; Act I; O soave fanciulla - Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, Montserrat Caball
    9. Next Best Thing To Love - Randy Graff
    10. Cabaret - Natasha Richardson
    11. Springtime For Hitler (From "The Producers") - John Morris, Mel Brooks
    12. Losing My Mind - Barbara Cook
    13. Time Warp - Raparza
    14. Oklahoma!; Oklahoma - Finale: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' (Reprise) - Musical Cast Recording
    15. Breeze Off the River - Patrick Wilson
    16. Big Spender - Jane Lanier, Valarie Pettiford, Shannon Lewis, Kim Greene, Kim Morgan, Dana Moore, Rachelle Rak, Elizbeth Parkinson, Dede LaBarre, Mary Ann Lamb, Mary McLeod
    17. Gee Officer Krupke - Cast
    18. Agony - Paul Gemignani
    19. Bring Him Home (from Les Miserables) - Colm Wilkinson, Colm
    20. Lullaby of Broadway (from "42nd Street") - John Lesko, Jerry Orbach

    Customer Reviews:

    2 out of 5 stars redux.......2007-07-06

    Four of the songs on this CD (Oklahoma, Music of the Night, Cabaret, and All That Jazz) were on the earlier Ultimate Broadway. Of all the shows that have been on Broadway over the past 70+ years, including the ones that are currently running, there is no excuse for repeats!

    3 out of 5 stars Moderate Quality.......2003-06-20

    I believe that the show selection for this CD was excellent. However the song selection and song order were not. Why pick "Your Daddy's Son" from Ragtime when you can have the amazing and fantastic "Prologue" from the same show. Also I believe that a mistake was made by slecting "I Don Quixote" from Man of La Mancha instead of the much more listenable "Impossible Dream." Also the overture from Gypsy is not the proper song to start out a CD. Perhaps the "Overture" from The Phantom of the Opera.

    This is however an excellent example of showtunes for inexperienced members of the theatrical world.

    2 out of 5 stars POOR EXCUSE FOR SOME GOOD THEATER MUSIC.......2003-05-20

    The best of Broadway? Sure, if you consider the best of Broadway only those songs taken only from RCA Victor cast recordings. Expect the expected: Tracks from "Ragtime," "Chicago," "42nd Street" and "Man of La Mancha," sung by the likes of Audra
    McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, Jerry Orbach and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Including a live recording of Barbara Cook warbling "Losing My Mind" from her "Mostly Sondheim" CD isn't exactly kosher. But then again, neither is this gimmick-riddled release. Curtain up?
    Half-way, maybe. Light the lights? Dim them, please.
    The Phantom Agony
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • A great album
    • Wow, just beautiful
    • Very great band
    • Acceptable...
    • "We are afraid of all the things that could not be/A phantom agony"
    		 The Phantom Agony
    Epica
    Manufacturer: The End Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. We Will Take You With Us
    2. Mother Earth
    3. Lovelorn
    4. Vinland Saga
    5. The Silent Force

    ASIN: B0001FGBL6
    Release Date: 2004-03-09

    Tracks:

    1. Adyta (The Neverending Embrace)
    2. Sensorium
    3. Cry for the Moon (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 4)
    4. Feint
    5. Illusive Consensus
    6. Fae of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 5)
    7. Run for a Fall
    8. Seif al Din (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 6)
    9. Phantom Agony
    10. Phantom Agony [Single Version][*]

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars A great album.......2007-03-03

    In my opinion, this is one of, if not the greatest album in the gothic metal genre.
    The music is heavy, and yet very melodic. My favorite song from the Album is cry for the moon. The song starts of with a part hummed by Simone, and then the choir kicks into full force; the effect is beautiful, and almost magical. The only thing I can say is, if you are thinking of buying the album you should, in fact anything by Epica is great.

    4 out of 5 stars Wow, just beautiful.......2007-01-10

    I must say the only reason I bought this cd was for the song "Cry for the moon." But after listening to the cd I fell in love with it. Simone Simons has a beautiful voice, but this cd also has a litle dark side to it with some grwoling lyrics in it.

    5 out of 5 stars Very great band.......2006-10-07

    I got this back in 2004. Then in 2005 I got CtO and then this year on Sept 29th I went and saw Epica live. Folks if you ever wanted to listen to a great metal CD this is it. Simone shines with her singing. The guiters are heavy. The drums are heavy. The keyboards a great Epica is my top band. I enjoy everthing about there music.

    4 out of 5 stars Acceptable..........2006-05-26

    First listen, I find it "strange" (can't find the exact word to describe it) but I give it a second try... and it's OKAY, at least I sat through the album twice. Not bad at all!!! But most of the songs have the same beat, same style, and same pattern!!! A bit boring though. The death grunts blends in really well... at least no shrieking here! Again, if you like this kinda music, check this out and see how you like it!!! (of course there are other bands too... )

    3.5 stars.

    5 out of 5 stars "We are afraid of all the things that could not be/A phantom agony".......2006-05-15

    This is Epica's first album and an excellent example of symphonic metal, with great melodies, an orchestra and a chorus, beautiful operatic vocals by Simone and of course the few necessary growls thrown in. There is also lots of Latin here, which I find enjoyable, starting with track 1, a short prelude.

    If you have read some of my other reviews, you know I also am impressed by good lyrics. We have them here starting with track 2: "Chance doesn't exist" and "Our future has already been written by us alone." This may sound familiar, if you know the song When the Lights Are Down, track 2 of the Black Halo by Kamelot, which has "Every move you make creates your destiny." Maybe not surprisingly, Simone shows up on the Black Halo.

    More lyrics: track 3, a ballad, has "Follow your common sense" (always good advice) which is sung to a marvelous melody. Track 7 is also a nice ballad and supposedly reflects guitarist Mark Jansen's frustration with his former group After Forever. (As you probably know, there is a lot of similarity between this group and A/F, in addition to both being from the Netherlands.)

    Then there is track 6, Facade of Reality. Included here are two short sections of a speech by Tony Blair concerning 9/11. In one he says "This mass terrorism is the new evil in our world today." This is followed by a male voice whispering "It doesn't matter where we die/It doesn't matter that you cry/We will take you with us." Also on this track is an extreme vocal (growling) saying "Our desire to die is stronger/than all your desire for life." Don't know about you, but I find both quite chilling indeed. Add to this track 8, Seif Al Din (Sword of Faith), which is obviously about Islamic Fundamentalism with a spoken section (Simone?) that has "This misuse of trust will forever stain the pages of history, echoing the exploitation and the frailty of decent men..." and they have my attention.

    Track 8 finishes with approximately the last 40 seconds being instrumental only. Track 9 then begins with Simone whispering a number of lines which end with "I can't taste you. I can't think of you/Do we exist at all?" This is followed by full chorus and orchestra powerfully stating, among other things, "We are afraid of all the things that could not be/A phantom agony." This is music that affects emotionally!

    Reviewing the above, if nothing else, Epica understands Islamic Fundamentalism. But there is a lot more than that; there is great music here. It is not quite up to Century Child by Nightwish, or Decipher by After Forever, or even Consign to Oblivion, Epica's second album, but it is close and easily gets five stars. (Please see my profile for a brief discussion of my rating philosophy.)

    Note: I originally reviewed this a year ago and only gave it three stars. I have no idea what I was thinking. The above reflects my current (5/17/07) impression of this work.
    The Phantom Agony
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		The Phantom Agony
      Epica
      Manufacturer: Avalon Japan
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
      Hard Rock & MetalHard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
      RockRock | Imports | Stores | Music
      ASIN: B0000AFOKL
      Release Date: 2003-09-01

      Tracks:

      1. Adyta (The Neverending Embrace)
      2. Sensorium
      3. Cry for the Moon (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 4)
      4. Feint
      5. Illusive Consensus
      6. Fae of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 5)
      7. Run for a Fall
      8. Seif al Din (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 6)
      9. Phantom Agony
      10. Phantom Agony [Single Version][*]

      Album Details

      Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: "Triumph of Defeat".
      The Phantom Agony
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		The Phantom Agony
        Epica
        Manufacturer: Transmission Records
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B000QCBNGW

        Product Description

        2004 digipack CD import version of 2003 album from Dutch Metal band Epica with a previously unreleased bonus track. Track listing is 1. Adyta (The Neverending Embrace) 01:27 2. Sensorium 04:48 3. Cry For The Moon (The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV) 06:44 4. Feint 04:19 5. Illusive Consensus 05:00 6. Facade Of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers - Part V) 08:12 7. Run For A Fall 06:32 8. Seif Al Din (The Embrace That Smothers - Part VI) 05:47 9. The Phantom Agony 08:59 10. Veniality - Previously Unreleased Track 04:36
        Phantom Agony
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • 'La Magnifique' Epica, A new Dutch Superband
        • The band's name is very fitting
        • Only 5 stars??
        		 Phantom Agony

        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
        Hard Rock & MetalHard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. Ghost Opera
        2. Mother Earth

        ASIN: B0000A0DS7
        Release Date: 2003-07-29

        Album Description

        Limited digi-book edition of 2003 debut album for goth-metal act featuring ex-After Forever guitarist Mark Jansen. Transmission.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars 'La Magnifique' Epica, A new Dutch Superband.......2004-03-24

        I'm going to tell you a little secret. I like metal music. No that's not the secret. Hell, you all already know that. My secret is that even though I like metal music, the guitar is not my favorite instrument. Oh like guitars just fine but in metal music it just goes with the territory. What really gets my attention is any and all of the following things augmenting and enhancing, even overpowering the guitars.

        Give me choirs, pianos, organs, violins, bells, cellos and great female singing. This is why I like the music of Therion, Within Temptation, Nightwish and Edenbridge to name a few.

        Enter, Epica!

        Epica is good! Epica is very good! Epica is magnificent, Epica is, well....Epic! Epica is a breath of fresh air in this genre of music I like to think of as the new wave of metal music for the new millennium. Not really better but a little different.

        I never thought anyone would top Within Temptation until fellow Dutch band Epica came along. I'm still not sure they have but it's close. Epica is a new Dutch band following in the footsteps of two Dutch giants - Within Temptation and After Forever. Founder Mark Jansen is very familiar with After Forever since he was one of their founding members and a former guitar player. He left A.F. citing artistic differences. Like W.T.and A.F., Epica plays Symphonic Metal with a female singer, Simone Simons whose voice is pleasant enough but doesn't seem to have the power of some of the other European divas.

        Phantom Agony

        The first thing I notice and like about this album is the increased use of a choir. This is probably to make up for the loss of a top notch soprano such as Floor Jansen. As much as I like Floor, I like this new direction.

        Phantom Agony is also reminiscent of Therion's recent efforts, which is another reason I like the CD, with the intrinsic use of a choir of two sopranos, two altos, a tenor and a bass and a small orchestra of three violins, two violas, two cellos and a contrabass. Occasionally heavy, but never hard, keyboards and the orchestra play a more sifnificant role on this album than the guitars and that's fine with me.

        Song/Track list
        1] Adyta (The Neverending Embrace) (1:26)****1/2
        2] Sensorium (4:48)****1/2
        3] Cry For The Moon [The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV] (6:44)*****
        4] Feint (4:19)****
        5] Illusive Consensus (5:00)****1/2
        6] Facade Of Reality [The Embrace That Smothers - Part V] (8:12)*****
        7] Run For A Fall (6:32)****1/2
        8] Seif Al Din [The Embrace That Smothers - Part VI] (5:47)****1/2
        9] The Phantom Agony (8:59)*****
        10]The Phantom Agony (4:34)***** single version

        Out of necessity all songs have a similar sound and feeling so I will describe the highlights.

        "Cry For The Moon" (The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV)
        the songs starts out with Simone and is taken over by the choir, which is magnificent. The middle contains faster drums with a clever mixture of soaring violins answered by the choir. There are some male growls but it feels like it's part of a story. This is an intriguing song.

        "Facade Of Reality" (The Embrace That Smothers - Part V) bombastic guitar and violin laden sounds prevail. The pieces of Latin lyrics and dark grunts give this song an epic quality. Halfway through the song becomes much slower and cello and violins support Tony Blair commenting on terrorism after the events of September 11th. Thereafter the pace gets back to normal.

        "Phantom Agony", the title tracks uses recurring refrain consisting of short violin notes, the choir, the bass guitar and bass drums throughout this 9 minute epic masterpiece. The whispering in the beginning and ending adds a nice touch. The last couple minutes of this song is a good example of how this album feels like a movie score.

        "Phantom Agony" single version is a bonus track on the ltd edition. It's about half as long as the epic version.

        Conclusion

        If you are under the impression that I like this album, good for you, you got that right. Now that you're on a role, you need to check this out and at least see why I'm so impressed. Why? Because you don't want to get the most important thing wrong, do you?

        For those of you who have never experienced this genre of music but would like to give it a try, this would be an excellent place to start.

        Requisites; a] a love of melodious symphonic music, b] a classical orientation, c] an open mind on gruff male vox(not unlike in an opera), d] some heavy metal influences.

        Similar bands

        Within Temptation, After Forever, Therion, Nightwish, Penumbra, Orkrist, Tristania, Thy Sins of Thy Beloved, Sirenia

        5 out of 5 stars The band's name is very fitting.......2003-10-06

        The Dutch band Epica, led by Mark Jansen, formerly of After Forever, offers more of what makes After Forever so good...epic, operatic, symphonic, grandiose metal. While vocalist Simone Simons (who's only 18, by the way) has a beautiful, incredible soprano voice, she can't touch After Forever's Floor Jansen in sheer, gorgeous power...but then again, who could? That being said, "The Phantom Agony" is a CD that just wouldn't get out of my player for about a week-and-a-half after I first bought it. Not only is the music and the female vocals first-rate, but the subject matter of the songs (the 9/11 tragedy) makes for a highly topical presentation, as well. If you like After Forever, you'll like Epica, too.

        5 out of 5 stars Only 5 stars??.......2003-09-10

        Usually when I first hear a band, I either like it or don't like it. And that's it. Even if I like it, it's not something I listen to constantly. It's very rare that I find a band that I can't stop listening to. Epica, however, is that band.

        Words cannot explain how incredible this album is. The atmosphere portrayed on this opus is beyond imagination. The Phantom Agony has probably the best vocals ever heard on an album. You'll start by hearing Simone's voice (Might I add: she's got the most beautiful voice I've ever heard in my life.), then comes the sound of a full choir singing in harmony. It gives this album a whole other dimension that you won't hear on most other metal albums.

        Mind you, Epica doesn't create anything entirely new, but they take what you think of "gothic metal" to a whole different level. Many bands have mixed classical music in, but Epica pulls it off perfectly, and the classical influence is undeniable. The best phrase to describe this is "Opera metal".

        So, if you're still reading this review, you're wasting your time when you could be out buying and listening to The Phantom Agony... truly a masterpiece and a cornerstone for the future of metal. And I don't see them wearing out their welcome any time in the future.
        The Phantom Agony
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		The Phantom Agony
          Epica
          Manufacturer: Transmission
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B0000A0I9D

          Tracks:

          1. Adyta (The Neverending Embrace)
          2. Sensorium
          3. Cry for the Moon (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 4)
          4. Feint
          5. Illusive Consensus
          6. Fae of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 5)
          7. Run for a Fall
          8. Seif al Din (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 6)
          9. Phantom Agony
          10. Phantom Agony [Single Version][*]

          Album Details

          Produced by Sascha Paeth.
          Phantom Agony
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Phantom Agony

            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
            CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
            All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
            Hard Rock & MetalHard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
            ASIN: B0000TPMWW
            Release Date: 2003-11-25

            Tracks:

            1. Phantom Agony (Single Version)
            2. Veniality (Previously Unreleased Track)
            3. Facade Of Reality
            4. Veniality (Orchestral Version)

            Album Description

            2003 single from goth-metal act featuring ex-After Forever guitarist Mark Jansen. The single version of 'Phantom Agony' is backed with 'Facade Of Reality' and two previously unreleased tracks 'Veniality' & 'Veniality' (orchestral version). Transmission.

            Music Review:

            1. The Principle of Evil Made Flesh [Import]
            2. The Ultimate Sin [Original recording remastered]
            3. Theli
            4. Trick Or Treat (1986 Film) [Soundtrack]
            5. Unleashed in the East [Extra tracks] [Live] [Original recording remastered]
            6. Visions
            7. Wahrheit Oder Pflicht [Import]
            8. Waking the Dead
            9. Yu-Gi-Oh: Music to Duel By
            10. A Fragile Mind

            Music Review

            music review

            Recommended Music:

            Eden's Bar

            Parsadanjan: A Musical Portrait

            Mozart: Sinfonia concertante in Ef; Divertimento K136

            Music: The Way Home

            Run Devil Run

            Powerule, Vol. 1

            Pot of Gold

            Noise Annoys [Import]

            Planetarium [CD-single] [Import]

            Masterworks of the New Era - Volume Four

            Paramount Piano Blues, Vol. 3

            Lluvias de Amor

            Oktane [Explicit Lyrics]

            Groundhog Night

            Finger Eleven