Epica - The Quantum Enigma

Epica - The Quantum Enigma (2014)

I have to confess that I have a bias against female-fronted power metal bands. I know Epica, which means that I know that this is a metal band. Up to the present I'haven't heard any single note of them. Just wait a second... Now I know the title track. Not that bad, but FFSM (female-fronted symphonic metal). If you love steaks, of course you "can" also eat vegan food, but...

Nevertheless, this is an objective blog and I gonna return to the point of interest. "Epica" sounds latin and they use plenty of it. I found a post in the internet where someone says that the band asked a Latin teacher to translate the phrases. Quite possible, because the grammar is almost correct and because Epica's lyrics are the only source where I can find the phrases. Normally, (black) metal bands consult the bible to find (un)holy sayings.

On Epica's newest record - I'll start there and plunge into their history - you can find three songs with latin fragments:

~ Originem ~

originem is the accusative case of origo - origin.

Nos sumus conjuncti - We are connected
Fontem nostram quaerentes - searching our source
Originem sciendi -  the origin of knowledge

Nos pleni vigoris - We're full of vitality
Quo colendo res fiunt - things happen by cultivating/ fostering it
Sic naturam fingimus - So we form nature

Aenigma solventes - Solving enigmas
E(g)rediamur - we shall move forward
Nil, certum est - nothing is certain

~ The Second Stone ~

O, ne moriar bis - Oh, for not dying twice
Oro supplex - I pray humbly

O, ne discedam bis - Oh, for not passing away twice
Oro supplex - I pray humbly

~ The Quantum Enigma ~

Visum commutamus - We change the view
Nihil certum - Nothing (is) certain
Qui observat, visi - He, who watches, is
pars est - part of the view
 
Omne est vigor - everything is vitality
Sentimus eum - we feel it
Sic(u)t concretum - like the concrete (the real)
Vigor concrescit - Vitality compacts
Observatione - by observation
Vita est mare - Life is a sea
Infinitarum facultatum - of infinite possibilities
Si quae emergant opperiens - If it covers what emerges
Quod inspicimus - this, what we recognize
Adipiscemur - we will achieve