Jorge Rivera-Herrans, creator and producer of EPIC, a loose musical adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey recently announced the release of the sixth EP “The Thunder Saga” in a series of concept albums. This EP serves as the opening of the second act of the whole saga, with the first act wrapping up with the Underworld Saga released last April.

The musical, divided into 9 parts, tells the tale of Odysseus’ 20-year journey home through several challenges – being challenged by gods and monsters.

Since its first release a year and a half ago, the musical amassed success on social media and was streamed over 200 million times. It features hits like Warrior of the Mind, No Longer You, and the powerful Monster.

In a video posted on social media, Jorge Rivera-Herrans revealed that the first two EPs would be re-released on July 4th and would feature the original casting. This decision came after the creator of the musical parted ways with Blair Russel Company after the release of the Cyclop Saga. Since then, the rest of Act 1 has been released under Winion Entertainment LLC, a company owned by Jorge Rivera-Herrans. A way to regain power and control over his work and finally move forward with the project.

The new versions of the Troy Saga and the Cyclops Saga feature new vocal recordings from the original cast members, such as Taegan Earley as Athena and Steven Dookie as the dear Polites, new orchestrations, and harmonies. Rivera-Herrans also announced that vinyl sets of the saga, new merchandise, and a stage adaptation of the musical are to be available soon or are in development.

The Thunder Saga 

The five songs serve as a continuation of the story, taking off directly right where the Underworld Saga left us. This time, Odysseus and his crew are treading dangerous waters, meeting new monsters along the way, and encountering an old acquaintance. If the first five EP has been following the events of Homer’s Odyssey, these songs are the first to stray from the source material.

The EP opens with “Suffering”, a sung-through dialogue between Odysseus and a siren disguised as his wife, Penelope. The soft and melodic voice of Anna Casey perfectly balances the dramatic shift that Herrans operates with the next song, “Different Beast”. As Odysseus’ rage takes over, the poppy piano-driven melody gives way to an electric guitar and the haunting voices of Odysseus’ crew. From playful, his voice turns dark and raspy when he sings “Cut off their tails! We’re ending this now / Throw their bodies back in the water / Let them drown”. At times, it takes us back to the rock’n’roll-inspired “Remember Them” from the second EP, “The Cyclop Saga”. 

EPIC: The Thunder Saga features returning cast members, such as Armando Julian as Eurylochus, as well as new ones. KJ Burkhauser is starring as Scylla, the nymph turned man-eating monster. We first meet her in Homer’s Odyssey when Odysseus and his crew are advised by Circe to sail closer to Scylla so Charybdis can drown his whole ship.

“Scylla” offers the public another intense battle. Coupled with “Mutiny”, “Scylla” is a heartbreaking song that reveals Odysseus’ new dark and ruthless mindset and the betrayal of the one he used to call brother, Eurylochus. As the two partners come face to face, melodies and motifs from previous EPs are injected into the track and pieced together to tell the tale of Odysseus and Eurylochus and everything they went through together.

What is a genius move from Herrans is the fact that Odysseus’ instrument (the electric guitar) becomes Eurylocus’ right after he says “Then you have forced my hand”. A way to show that he is taking over and taking back its power.

Another delightful trick is Eurylochus singing back his own lyrics to his former captain as this song as references to Luck Runs Out (You relied on wit and then we died on it), The Horse and The Infant (the melody), and Just A Man. You will have to pay close attention to the lyrics and the melodies to understand just how clever it is!

KJ Burkhauser is also joined on this EP by Luke Holt. If his voice sounds familiar to the fans of the musical it’s because he was already featured as Zeus on “The Horse and the Infant”, the opening track of the first saga. This time, he is back as the all-powerful God on “Thunder Bringer”. The closing track of the Thunder Saga on which Holt manages to showcase his vocal ability as Zeus descends from Olympus to bring his divine wrath onto Odysseus and his crew.

“Thunder Bringer” is once again this big closing number, filled with strong drums and a dark atmosphere. Thunder Bringer encapsulates everything EPIC is: it’s big, it’s powerful, and features impressive vocals and lyrics that drive the story forward. Another God song for the books!

The Wisdom Saga is set to be the seventh chapter in Epic: The Musical. This will be the first saga with a dual POV as it will introduce Telemacus and see the return of one of the best voices of the musical: Athena, portrayed by Taegan Earley!

Though we don’t know the release date yet, make sure to keep your eyes peeled on EPIC’s social media.