The Phantom Agony
The Phantom Agony is the debut 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 Personnel All credits adapted from the original release. Epica Simone Simons – lead vocals Mark Jansen – rhythm guitar, grunts, screams Ad Sluijter – lead guitar Coen Janssen – synths, piano Yves Huts – bass Jeroen Simons – drums Additional musicians Olaf Reitmeier – acoustic guitars on "Feint" and "Run for a Fall", engineer Annette Berryman – flute on "Run for a Fall" Production Sascha Paeth – producer, engineer,