I rarely give 5-stars (hence the 4-star rating I gave) but this is a very good album. On this, Epica's 3rd album, the songwriting, production, even Simone Simons singing has improved dramatically.I also own Epica's first 2 albums, and while I think they are ok, they do not blow me away. Some of the songs on those are 'meh', some of the choir-sounding vocals are a bit hokey, Simones voice, while beautiful, still needs work, etc.On this new album "The Divine Conspiracy', everything good about Epica's sound comes together. The difference between this album and their first 2 are like night and day.If you like power/gothic/symphonic/etc. metal with female vocals (some male growling as well), you cant go wrong with Epica's 'The Divine Conspiracy'