14th January 2026

Review: “Epos” by Voice Of Glass

For almost twenty five years American guitarist David Meek and Ukrainian Bulgarian vocalist Olya Meek have been creating music together as Voice Of Glass, infusing elements of Alternative, Gothic and Progressive Metal with a desire to speak directly to the listener’s emotions and stir the soul. Joined by drummer and backing vocalist Anthony Raya, the group recorded “Epos” at Electric Shop Recording Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada where it was also engineered, mixed and mastered by Andy Beldy Jr. who also played bass. While the album isn’t considered a concept record in the convensional sense, the band describe it as gathering their creative journey into a cohesive story of brokenness, sacrifice and spiritual renewal. If you’re wondering, derived from the Ancient Greek word for or “song“, in Bulgarian “Epos” means epic, often referring to a long poem about heroic deeds or significant events…

Staring into a shattered mirror, opening cut “This World Is Broken” paints a portrait of world where reality is fractured allowing injustice, numbness and spiritual hunger as abusers feed. Olya Meek’s vocals are stunning throughout, the soulful and meloncholic approach to the lyrical narrative both captivating and enthralling, chemically enhanced by orchestrations as sonically influences from the likes of Oceans Of Slumber rise to the surface. The melody is like the finest of coffees, a dark and rich roast that burns with atmosphere before gently making way for “Soteria“, which floats on a similarly dark cloud. There is a southern soul to the vocals on this one, the more complex lead guitars adding a vibrance while also unearthing Scandinavian roots. Building the mountain to a solo with a little double kick work hints at aggression underneath the surface that doesn’t come to fruition. As with the previous cut “Henosis” moves into an introspective landscape, exploring regret, missed chances and the separation from loved ones that is death. Bold, brave and majestic, this one speaks to the soul, the bluesy moments in the guitar work offering the warmth of the sun at dawns first light. Layered with a wonderful depth and texture, the crowning glory is another soaring solo amid a six minute surpassing magnum opus of a track.

A declaration of resilience and faith “The Phoenix” takes us the discerning listener on something of a 90’s nostaligia trip into Grunge laced Alternative Metal with a soundscape that feels very much inspired by “Ten” era Pearl Jam. What sets it apart is the vocal performance which soars above the midtempo guitars, the sing-a-long chorus offering something previously unexposed. Strangely given the power of the earlier songs it feels almost like the thing that should not be, a guilty pleasure that doesn’t quite fit given the more intricate nature of the other songs simply because its more straightforward. That is a feeling which deepens with “The Ancient of Days“, a song that nurtures hope with expansive percussion and guitars that churn and burn in the smouldering atmosphere. Anthony Raya’s performance actually brings to mind Alice In Chains drummer Sean Kinney and the bands MTV Unplugged album, that’s how good it is. In truth these five songs prove Voice Of Glass to be a multifaceted beast, capable of turning their hand to whatever suits their mood, creating something captivating and emotive from it that will make you pause for thought. Variety is the spice of life, so why shouldn’t they? [7.5/10]

Track Listing