August 5th, 2020 - The Phantasmagoria Agony

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing a deliciously juicy Phantasmagoria Double India Pale Ale from Prairie Artisan Ales and Epica's fantastic debut album "The Phantom Agony"!

Album Info: 

• Artist: Epica
• Title: "The Phantom Agony" 
• Recorded: January and March 2003 at  the Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany and February 19th, 2003 at Klangstudio in Hamburg, Germany
• Release date: June 5th, 2003 (1st studio album by Epica)
• Record company: Transmission Records
• Production: Hans van Vuuren
• Album cover art: Carsten Drescher
• Personnel: Yves Huts (bass), Mark Jansen (rhythm guitars, growling vocals, and orchestral arrangements), Coen Janssen (keyboards and orchestral and choir arrangements), Jeroen Simons (drums), Simone Simons (lead and backing vocals), and Ad Sluijter (lead gutiars)
• Additional musicians: Annette Berryman (flute), Melvin Edmondsen (choir vocals), Bridget Fogle (choir vocals), Thomas Glöckner (violin), Annie Goebel (choir vocals), Jörn Kellermann (cello), Previn Moore (choir vocals), André Neygenfind (contrabass), Andreas Pfaff (violin), Olaf Reitmeier (acoustic guitar), Tobias Rempe (violin), Cinzia Rizzo (choir vocals), Cordula Rohde (cello), David Schlage (viola), Amanda Somerville (choir vocals) and Marie-Theres Stumpf (viola) 
• Musical style: Symphonic metal, gothic metal, progressive metal
• Sound: Bombastic, symphonic, theatrical, cinematic... the sound on Epica's wonderful "The Phantom Agony" is a powerful and stunning musical journey!  It blends beautiful orchestral movements with massive metal intensity!  
• Major themes: With songs about abuse of children by Catholic priests, the September 11th attacks on America, and Islamic fundamentalism, etc., themes on the album include life, death, philosophy, religion, justice, pain, sorrow, suffering, frustration, anger, dreams, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Adyta: The Neverending Embrace"
2. "Sensorium"
3. "Cry for the Moon: The Embrace That Smothers - Part IV"
4. "Feint"
5. "Illusive Consensus"
6. "Façade of Reality: The Embrace That Smothers - Part V"
7. "Run For A Fall"
8. "Seif al Din: The Embrace That Smothers - Part VI"
9. "The Phantom Agony"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Prairie Artisan Ales (Oklahoma)
• Website: https://prairieales.com/
• Brew: Phantasmagoria Double India Pale Ale 
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) / Imperial IPA (IIPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 8.0%
• IBUs: 70
• Pour: The Phantasmagoria Double India Pale Ale pours a very hazy golden-orange hue with a frothy, 1-finger, bright white head that dissipates to a thin ring that leaves behind sticky, soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very hoppy... lots of citrus, tropical fruit, and floral and earthy hops.  There are aromas of orange juice and zest, tangerine, pineapple, mango, .
• Taste: The taste of the Phantasmagoria Double India Pale Ale is characterized by flavors of .
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and moderately-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Phantasmagoria Double India Pale Ale is with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The Phantasmagoria Double India Pale Ale from Prairie Artisan Ales is a tasty, juicy, punchy, very complex, yet inviting brew... perfect for the complexities, intricacies, and beauty of  Epica!  The flavors and aromas of this tasty brew blend wonderfully well with Simone's beautiful and soaring vocal prowess, the explosive guitars, soaring keyboards, and thunderous bombast of the bass and drums, as well as the amazing choir and orchestra!

Proost!!  And hails!!