The sixth studio long-player from the Dutch symphonic metal outfit founded by multi-instrumentalist , offers up 13 new stadium-ready songs that skilfully balance the decibel-pushing, sonic crush of traditional European heavy metal, the opulence and refinement of classical music, and pure hook-filled pop. It's also the first outing with bass player , who replaced shortly after the release of 2012's . The -issued album was preceded by the singles "The Essence of Silence" and "Unchain Utopia." ~ James Christopher Monger