🎶 Epinikion
🌎 The Netherlands
📀 The Force of Nature
® Independent
📅 06/02/2026

There is no doubt that the Dutch know symphonic metal well and they prove it once again with EPINIKION, one of the new bands of the genre since they were formed only in 2020 and are already getting ready to release their second full-length album, “The Force of Nature”.

The album begins with the orchestral, two-minute epic “The Moon, the Sun and the Stars” which is based on the excellent keyboards and essentially is the introduction to “The Force of Nature” where we immediately understand that we are dealing with an amazing voice, that of Kimberley Jongen. The next one, “Lessons in Life (Are for Free)”, is more dynamic with fast drums and harder guitars. “Come into my World” is definitely more groovy and rhythmic without missing the epic element, mainly in its chorus. Michal Gis’ drums take on a leading role in “Your Ultimate Joy” and set the tone throughout the song. Of course, a power ballad somewhere in the middle of the album could not be missing and this is “I Thought You Were on my Side” which is based on Jongen’s sweet performance, the short but characteristic choir parts and an amazing guitar solo. With “Don’t Wake up the Dead” we notice a change in style to something darker and doomy. The armosphere continues to be heavy with the almost 10-minute “Monsters in my Head” which starts with an epic introduction of about 90 seconds to then pick up the pace and include all those elements that characterize EPINIKION. With “Two Hearts” it becomes clear that the album is divided into two parts in terms of style since the emotion seems to prevail in the second half of “The Force of Nature”. “Two Hearts” is another dynamic ballad that stands out for its guitar solo. In “Run with the Wolves”, the introduction takes us to a dense forests and the fast pace it soon acquires refers to an adventurous chase. The penultimate song, “What Goes Up Must Come Down” reminds us of the influences of EPINIKION since it could easily be part of the EPICA discography. Operatic performance by Jongen and magnificent melodies. Finally, the album closes with “Eyes Will Glow” with the welcoming fluctuations in tempo.

“The Force of Nature” is an album that fans of this particular genre of Metal will naturally love. Being one of them, I listened to it with great enthusiasm and it reminded me of my favorite bands such as NIGHTWISH, WITHINT TEMPTATION, EPICA etc. In general, it is a balanced album between epic, symphonic and heavy Metal but also with elements of folk, doom and perhaps power Metal.

★ 8/10
✍🏻 Kostas Boudoukos