Epica "The Phantom Agony"

The Phantom Agony is the first full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released in 2003 by the Dutch label Transmission Records. It is the first album recorded by guitarist Mark Jansen after his departure from the band After Forever. On this album, Jansen continues with the collection of songs that make up The Embrace That Smothers. The first three parts can be found on Prison of Desire (2000), After Forever's debut album, and the following three parts can be found on The Divine Conspiracy (2007), Epica's third album. These songs deal with the dangers of organized religion.

The album was re-released on 23 March 2013, which coincided with Epica’s 10th anniversary Retrospect show, as a 2-disc expanded edition by Epica’s former record label Transmission Records.

Track listing

1. The Phantom Agony track listing
2. "Adyta (The Neverending Embrace)" 1:27
3. "Sensorium" 4:47
4. "Cry for the Moon (The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV)"  6:44
5. "Feint" 4:18
6. "Illusive Consensus" 4:59
7. "Façade of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers - Part V)"  8:10
8. "Run for a Fall" 6:31
9. "Seif al Din (The Embrace That Smothers - Part VI)" 5:47
10. "The Phantom Agony" 9:00

Total length: 51:43

Japanese bonus track

1. "Triumph of Defeat" (instrumental) 3:56

Total length: 55:39

Mexican bonus track

1. "Veniality" 4:36

Total length: 56:19

North American bonus track

1. "The Phantom Agony" (single version) 4:35

Total length: 56:18

"The Embrace that Smothers" concept actually began on the After Forever album "Prison of Desire".

The songs of 'Cry for the Moon' and 'Illusive Consensus' are re-recordings of tracks with the same names from the 'Cry for the Moon' demo the band released while they where still called 'Sahara Dust'.

This album's lyrics are mostly based on events that happened during the writing of the album.

"Cry for the Moon" is based on the abuse of children by Catholic priests. It has been released as a single in 2004.

"Feint" was written after the murder of Pim Fortuyn.

"Façade of Reality" is based on the September 11, 2001 attacks. It features two fragments from a speech by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"Run for a Fall" expresses Mark's frustrations towards his former band After Forever.

"Seif al Din" is about Islamic fundamentalism.

The song "Illusive Consensus" is featured in the South Korean movie "Baramui Fighter" ("Fighter in the Wind").

Videoclips made for:

-"Feint"

-"The Phantom Agony"

Recording information:

Edited at the Private Universe Studio, Wolfsburg, Germany between January & March 2003.

Recorded at the Gate Studio, Wolfsburg, Germany between January & March 2003, except the piano recorded at the Vox Klangstudio, Hamburg, Germany on February 19th 2003.

Mixed at the Pathway Studio, Wolfsburg, Germany in March & April 2003.

Mastered at Sound Factory, Soest, the Netherlands.