Epica (band)
Encyclopedia
Epica is a Dutch
symphonic metal
band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen
subsequent to his departure from After Forever
. They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls performed by Simone Simons
and Mark Jansen, respectively. All six members write the music, but Mark Jansen and Simone Simons write most of the lyrics. To date, Epica has released four studio albums (not including their instrumental album The Score – An Epic Journey ), with their fifth studio album, Requiem for the Indifferent, on tap for a March 2012 release.
left After Forever
over creative differences. He then began looking for musicians who would work towards a more classical/symphonic type of music project; this was initially named “Sahara Dust”. In late 2002, the band courted Helena Michaelsen (from Trail of Tears
) as its frontwoman, but shortly after she was replaced by the then unknown mezzo-soprano
Simone Simons
, who was Jansen’s girlfriend at the time. The band's line-up was completed by guitarist Ad Sluijter, drummer Jeroen Simons, bassist Yves Huts, and keyboard player Coen Janssen. The name was later changed to Epica, inspired by Kamelot
’s eponymous album
.
Epica then assembled a choir
(made up of two men and four women) and a string orchestra
(three violin
s, two viola
s, two cello
s and an upright bass) to play along with them. Still under the name Sahara Dust, they produced a two-song demo
entitled Cry for the Moon
in 2002. As a result, they were signed to Transmission Records.
, was produced by Sascha Paeth
(known for having produced bands such as Angra
, Rhapsody of Fire
and Kamelot
) and released in late 2003. The song “Façade of Reality” on the album was written about the September 11 attacks and includes fragments from speeches by Tony Blair
.
The album was followed by three singles: “The Phantom Agony
”, “Feint
” and “Cry for the Moon”.
, was influenced by the culture of the Maya civilization
, which can be noticed on songs in the “A New Age Dawns” series. “A New Age Dawns” refers to the time system of the Mayan people, which extends up to the year of 2012, and makes no reference of what may happen past said year. Consign to Oblivion was composed with film score
s as a basis, with Hans Zimmer
and Danny Elfman
cited as major inspirations. The album features guest singing by Roy Khan
(from Kamelot
) on the song “Trois Vierges”. Epica also joined Kamelot
as a support band on parts of their tour for promotion of the The Black Halo
album, to which Simons
had contributed her vocals on the track “The Haunting (Somewhere In Time)”.
Two singles were released from the album, “Solitary Ground
” and “Quietus (Silent Reverie)”.
Epica’s non-metal album The Score – An Epic Journey was released in September 2005 and is the soundtrack
for a Dutch
movie called Joyride
, though it could also be considered to be their third album. Mark Jansen
describes the album as typical Epica, “only without the singing, without the guitars, no bass and no drums”.
In 2005 and 2006 Epica went on their first tour throughout North America
with Kamelot
. After the tour, drummer Jeroen Simons left the band because of his wish to pursue other musical interests. In Fall 2006, Simone once again contributed vocals to an album of Kamelot
, this time on the tracks “Blücher” and “Season’s End” on the album Ghost Opera
. In December, Ariën van Weesenbeek
from God Dethroned
was announced via Epica’s official website as the guest drummer for their new album, but not as a permanent band member.
and released their third album, The Divine Conspiracy
, this time on a new label, Nuclear Blast
. That December, Ariën van Weesenbeek
was announced to be Epica’s permanent new drummer. The band toured North America again in April 2008 with Into Eternity and Symphony X
, this time with Amanda Somerville
because Simone had contracted a staph infection (MRSA).
The first single of the album was released on August 10, 2007 entitled “Never Enough
”.
The second single, “Chasing the Dragon
,” was released in 2008 without an accompanying video.
On December 16, 2008, Ad Sluijter left the band. He left a message on his Myspace page with his reasoning for leaving the band, which included frustration over being unable to enjoy composing music because of deadlines. Ad’s successor on guitar was announced in January 2009 to be Isaac Delahaye
, who is formerly of God Dethroned
fame.
In May of that year, Epica recorded The Classical Conspiracy
, their first live album
. The live show took place in Miskolc
, Hungary
on June 14, 2008, in the framework of the Miskolc Opera Festival
(where Therion
did a similar show a year before). It included a 40-piece orchestra and a 30-piece choir, and the setlist contained not only the band’s songs, but also covers of classical pieces of Antonio Vivaldi
, Antonín Dvořák
, Giuseppe Verdi
, Edvard Grieg
, and of soundtracks
of the movies Star Wars
, Spider-Man and Pirates of the Caribbean
. It was released on May 8, 2009 through Nuclear Blast Records.
”. It continued the A New Age Dawns
saga which started on Consign to Oblivion
. The album was released on October 16, 2009. To promote this release, they performed in Amsterdam at Paradiso on October 10, 2009. This is the first Epica album to feature Isaac Delahaye. The record also contains a guest appearance from Sonata Arctica
vocalist Tony Kakko
on the song “White Waters”. The album debuted in #8 in the Dutch
charts. On December 31, 2009, it was announced through their website that a new single will be released. The song is called “This Is the Time
” and all profit will go to World Wide Fund for Nature
.
In September 2010, Simone once again contributed vocals to an album of Kamelot, this time on the tracks "House on a Hill", "Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. II: So Long" and "Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. III: All Is Over" on the album Poetry for the Poisoned
.
, gothic metal
and symphonic metal
. Another component of Epica’s style is power metal
; their former guitarist Ad Sluijter having described the band as “a bridge between power metal and gothic metal.” Vocalist Simone Simons has expressed a preference for the group to be described as symphonic metal though the founder of the group Mark Jansen notes that they do not mind being called gothic metal.
The music of Epica is aggressive, bombastic and excessive with some songs being “epic, grand and majestic” and others “more subdued and introspective.” The band is also known to have progressive tendencies while a gothic atmosphere and sentimentality is also present in their music.
Epica uses a “trademark of many symphonic and gothic metal bands” in contrasting “two extremes, death grunts and brutality on one side, airy female melodiousness on the other.” Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic notes that the band’s “attraction ultimately hinges on exploring the sonic contrasts of light and dark; the punishing intensity of those elephantine guitar riffs and hyperactive drumming cast against the soaring, layered sweetness of the orchestrated strings and keyboards.” Simone Simons delivers operatic vocals in a mezzo-soprano range though she has also been known to sometimes sing “with a clear alto voice that has a flawless tone and a lot of emotion.” Mark Jansen delivers death grunts
“that are secondary to Simons’ singing, but very important in terms of balance and variety.” The group is also known to employ human choirs and orchestras with additional embellishments such as spoken word recitals and lyrics in Latin and Arabic.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
symphonic metal
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen, , is a heavy metal musician.As guitarist, Jansen founded After Forever with Sander Gommans, and was one of the main songwriters since their debut album Prison of Desire. He left After Forever in 2002, and after his departure the band took a new musical direction...
subsequent to his departure from After Forever
After Forever
After Forever was a Dutch symphonic metal band with strong progressive metal influences. The band relied on the use of both soprano vocals and death grunts. In February 2009, it was announced that After Forever had disbanded.-Biography:...
. They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls performed by Simone Simons
Simone Simons
Simone Johanna Maria Simons is a Dutch coloratura mezzo-soprano singer who is the lead vocalist of symphonic metal band Epica.-Biography:...
and Mark Jansen, respectively. All six members write the music, but Mark Jansen and Simone Simons write most of the lyrics. To date, Epica has released four studio albums (not including their instrumental album The Score – An Epic Journey ), with their fifth studio album, Requiem for the Indifferent, on tap for a March 2012 release.
Cry for the Moon (2002–2003)
In early 2002, Mark JansenMark Jansen
Mark Jansen, , is a heavy metal musician.As guitarist, Jansen founded After Forever with Sander Gommans, and was one of the main songwriters since their debut album Prison of Desire. He left After Forever in 2002, and after his departure the band took a new musical direction...
left After Forever
After Forever
After Forever was a Dutch symphonic metal band with strong progressive metal influences. The band relied on the use of both soprano vocals and death grunts. In February 2009, it was announced that After Forever had disbanded.-Biography:...
over creative differences. He then began looking for musicians who would work towards a more classical/symphonic type of music project; this was initially named “Sahara Dust”. In late 2002, the band courted Helena Michaelsen (from Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears (band)
Trail of Tears is a Norwegian gothic/symphonic black metal band originally formed in 1994 by vocalist Ronny Thorsen, under the name of Natt...
) as its frontwoman, but shortly after she was replaced by the then unknown mezzo-soprano
Mezzo-soprano
A mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above...
Simone Simons
Simone Simons
Simone Johanna Maria Simons is a Dutch coloratura mezzo-soprano singer who is the lead vocalist of symphonic metal band Epica.-Biography:...
, who was Jansen’s girlfriend at the time. The band's line-up was completed by guitarist Ad Sluijter, drummer Jeroen Simons, bassist Yves Huts, and keyboard player Coen Janssen. The name was later changed to Epica, inspired by Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
’s eponymous album
Epica (album)
Epica is the sixth full-length album by metal band Kamelot. It was released on January 13, 2003 through Noise Records. It was the first concept album by Kamelot. Most of the lyrics were written before the actual music was composed. This album, along with its sequel The Black Halo, is loosely based...
.
Epica then assembled a choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
(made up of two men and four women) and a string orchestra
String orchestra
A string orchestra is an orchestra composed solely or primarily of instruments from the string family. These instruments are the violin, the viola, the cello, the double bass , the piano, the harp, and sometimes percussion...
(three violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
s, two viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
s, two cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
s and an upright bass) to play along with them. Still under the name Sahara Dust, they produced a two-song demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
entitled Cry for the Moon
Cry for the Moon
"Cry for the Moon" is a symphonic metal song by Epica. It can be found on their debut album, The Phantom Agony.-Track listing:# "Cry for the Moon" - 3:33# "Cry for the Moon" - 6:44# "Run for a Fall" - 4:29...
in 2002. As a result, they were signed to Transmission Records.
The Phantom Agony (2003–2004)
Their debut album, The Phantom AgonyThe Phantom Agony
The Phantom Agony is the first full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released in 2003 by the Dutch label Transmission Records. It is the first album recorded by guitarist Mark Jansen after his departure from the band After Forever. On this album, Mark Jansen continues...
, was produced by Sascha Paeth
Sascha Paeth
Sascha Paeth is a German guitarist, bassist, musical producer, and mixer known for working with heavy metal bands such as Avantasia, Edguy, Angra, Shaaman, Rhapsody of Fire, Kamelot, After Forever, Epica, et al...
(known for having produced bands such as Angra
Angra (band)
Angra is a Brazilian metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for its symphonic interludes, highly technical instrumental playing and Brazilian regional elements.- Biography :...
, Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire
Rhapsody of Fire is an Italian symphonic power metal band led by Alex Staropoli. Since forming in 1993, the band has released eight studio albums, one live album, two EPs, and a live DVD...
and Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
) and released in late 2003. The song “Façade of Reality” on the album was written about the September 11 attacks and includes fragments from speeches by Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
.
The album was followed by three singles: “The Phantom Agony
The Phantom Agony (song)
"The Phantom Agony" is the debut single of Dutch symphonic metal band Epica.-CD single:#"The Phantom Agony" – 4:35#"Veniality" – 4:36#"Façade of Reality 'The Embrace That Smothers - Part V'" – 8:12#"Veniality" – 4:37...
”, “Feint
Feint (song)
"Feint" is the second single of Dutch symphonic metal band Epica.-Track listing:# "Feint" - 4:19# "Feint" - 4:54# "Triumph of Defeat" - 3:58# "Seif al Din" - 5:46...
” and “Cry for the Moon”.
Consign to Oblivion / The Score (2005–2007)
Their second release, entitled Consign to OblivionConsign to Oblivion
Consign to Oblivion is the second studio-album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, and was released in April 2005. "Trois Vierges" features a guest appearance by Kamelot vocalist Roy Khan. The album's lyrics are heavily influenced by Mayan Civilization. The CD was released with copy control on it....
, was influenced by the culture of the Maya civilization
Maya civilization
The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
, which can be noticed on songs in the “A New Age Dawns” series. “A New Age Dawns” refers to the time system of the Mayan people, which extends up to the year of 2012, and makes no reference of what may happen past said year. Consign to Oblivion was composed with film score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
s as a basis, with Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
and Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman
Daniel Robert "Danny" Elfman is an American composer, best known for scoring music for television and film. Up until 1995, he was the lead singer and songwriter in the rock band Oingo Boingo, a group he formed in 1976...
cited as major inspirations. The album features guest singing by Roy Khan
Roy Khan
Roy Sætre Khantatat , is a Norwegian singer. Commonly known as Roy Khan or simply Khan, he is the former vocalist for the symphonic power metal band Kamelot. He co-wrote most of Kamelot's songs with the band's guitarist and founder Thomas Youngblood since he joined the band.-Personal life:Roy began...
(from Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
) on the song “Trois Vierges”. Epica also joined Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
as a support band on parts of their tour for promotion of the The Black Halo
The Black Halo
There is also a short hidden track in the pregap. Rewinding from "March of Mephisto" on some CD players reveal a couple entering a theatre and being told that they have "just made it to the second act", referring to The Black Halo as the second album in a two-part concept.- March of Mephisto :In...
album, to which Simons
Simone Simons
Simone Johanna Maria Simons is a Dutch coloratura mezzo-soprano singer who is the lead vocalist of symphonic metal band Epica.-Biography:...
had contributed her vocals on the track “The Haunting (Somewhere In Time)”.
Two singles were released from the album, “Solitary Ground
Solitary Ground
"Solitary Ground" is a ballad by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, taken from their second full-length album Consign to Oblivion.-Track listing:# "Solitary Ground" - 4:06# "Solitary Ground" - 3:10...
” and “Quietus (Silent Reverie)”.
Epica’s non-metal album The Score – An Epic Journey was released in September 2005 and is the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
for a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
movie called Joyride
Joyride (2005 film)
Joyride is a 2005 adventure mystery film from the Netherlands which featured the music from symphonic metal band Epica.-Main cast:*Peggy Vrijens - Joy*Georgina Verbaan - Chantal*Tygo Gernandt - Tim*Dorien Haan - Roos*Don Clovis - Boswachter-Plot:...
, though it could also be considered to be their third album. Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen, , is a heavy metal musician.As guitarist, Jansen founded After Forever with Sander Gommans, and was one of the main songwriters since their debut album Prison of Desire. He left After Forever in 2002, and after his departure the band took a new musical direction...
describes the album as typical Epica, “only without the singing, without the guitars, no bass and no drums”.
In 2005 and 2006 Epica went on their first tour throughout North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
with Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
. After the tour, drummer Jeroen Simons left the band because of his wish to pursue other musical interests. In Fall 2006, Simone once again contributed vocals to an album of Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
, this time on the tracks “Blücher” and “Season’s End” on the album Ghost Opera
Ghost Opera
Ghost Opera is the eighth studio album from metal band Kamelot. It was released in 2007 by SPV GmbH/Steamhammer Records, on June 1 in Germany and followed by releases on June 4 in Europe and June 5 in the United States. It is the first studio album by Kamelot to feature keyboardist Oliver...
. In December, Ariën van Weesenbeek
Ariën Van Weesenbeek
Ariën van Weesenbeek is the drummer for the Dutch death metal band God Dethroned.Ariën started as a 3 year old smashing furniture with spoons and forks before discovering his dad's drum kit....
from God Dethroned
God Dethroned
-Biography:God Dethroned was formed in 1991 by singer and guitar player Henri Sattler, with Hans Leegstra and Ard de Weerd. Sattler and Leegstra had previously been in Dysentery; Leegstra, quickly after the band formed, left the music scene altogether. They recorded a demo, Christ Hunt, in 1991,...
was announced via Epica’s official website as the guest drummer for their new album, but not as a permanent band member.
The Divine Conspiracy (2007–2009)
In September 2007, Epica headlined their first tour through North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and released their third album, The Divine Conspiracy
The Divine Conspiracy
The Divine Conspiracy is the third full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica as well as their first concept album. It was released on September 7, 2007 through Nuclear Blast in Europe...
, this time on a new label, Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast is an independent record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The record label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on to releasing albums by melodic...
. That December, Ariën van Weesenbeek
Ariën Van Weesenbeek
Ariën van Weesenbeek is the drummer for the Dutch death metal band God Dethroned.Ariën started as a 3 year old smashing furniture with spoons and forks before discovering his dad's drum kit....
was announced to be Epica’s permanent new drummer. The band toured North America again in April 2008 with Into Eternity and Symphony X
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
, this time with Amanda Somerville
Amanda Somerville
Amanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter and vocal coach.- Personal life :Somerville was born in Flushing, Michigan, and attended Flushing Senior High School and the University of Michigan in Flint, Michigan...
because Simone had contracted a staph infection (MRSA).
The first single of the album was released on August 10, 2007 entitled “Never Enough
Never Enough (Epica song)
"Never Enough" is the sixth single released by the Dutch symphonic metal ensemble Epica. The album was released as a three-track digital download on August 10, 2007. It is the first single from their fourth album, The Divine Conspiracy.-Track listing:...
”.
The second single, “Chasing the Dragon
Chasing the Dragon (Epica song)
"Chasing the Dragon" is the seventh single released by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. The album was released as a 7" LP on July 27, 2008. It is the second single from their fourth album, The Divine Conspiracy...
,” was released in 2008 without an accompanying video.
On December 16, 2008, Ad Sluijter left the band. He left a message on his Myspace page with his reasoning for leaving the band, which included frustration over being unable to enjoy composing music because of deadlines. Ad’s successor on guitar was announced in January 2009 to be Isaac Delahaye
Isaac Delahaye
Isaac Delahaye was the lead guitarist for the Dutch death metal band God Dethroned. Delahaye replaced former guitarist Jens Van Der Valk after he left in 2004. He joined the band after a request from drummer and longtime friend Ariën van Weesenbeek, and after several meetings with Von Weesenbeek...
, who is formerly of God Dethroned
God Dethroned
-Biography:God Dethroned was formed in 1991 by singer and guitar player Henri Sattler, with Hans Leegstra and Ard de Weerd. Sattler and Leegstra had previously been in Dysentery; Leegstra, quickly after the band formed, left the music scene altogether. They recorded a demo, Christ Hunt, in 1991,...
fame.
In May of that year, Epica recorded The Classical Conspiracy
The Classical Conspiracy
The Classical Conspiracy is the second live album released by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. The recorded live show took part in Miskolc, Hungary on June 14, 2008 in the framework of the Miskolc Opera Festival, where the Swedish symphonic metal band Therion had done a similar show a year...
, their first live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
. The live show took place in Miskolc
Miskolc
Miskolc is a city in northeastern Hungary, mainly with heavy industrial background. With a population close to 170,000 Miskolc is the fourth largest city of Hungary It is also the county capital of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and the regional centre of Northern Hungary.- Geography :Miskolc is located...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
on June 14, 2008, in the framework of the Miskolc Opera Festival
Miskolc Opera Festival
The Miskolc Opera Festival or International Opera Festival of Miskolc is a cultural event held every summer in Miskolc, the capital of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, Hungary...
(where Therion
Therion (band)
Therion is a Swedish symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987. The word "therion" comes from the Greek therion , meaning "Beast," i.e., that of the Christian Book of Revelation...
did a similar show a year before). It included a 40-piece orchestra and a 30-piece choir, and the setlist contained not only the band’s songs, but also covers of classical pieces of Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Lucio Vivaldi , nicknamed because of his red hair, was an Italian Baroque composer, priest, and virtuoso violinist, born in Venice. Vivaldi is recognized as one of the greatest Baroque composers, and his influence during his lifetime was widespread over Europe...
, Antonín Dvořák
Antonín Dvorák
Antonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
, Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...
, Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg
Edvard Hagerup Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is best known for his Piano Concerto in A minor, for his incidental music to Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt , and for his collection of piano miniatures Lyric Pieces.-Biography:Edvard Hagerup Grieg was born in...
, and of soundtracks
Soundtracks
Soundtracks may refer to:* The plural of soundtrack* Soundtracks * Soundtracks , an album by Tony Banks of Genesis...
of the movies Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
, Spider-Man and Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)
Pirates of the Caribbean is a series of fantasy-adventure films directed by Gore Verbinski and Rob Marshall , written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
. It was released on May 8, 2009 through Nuclear Blast Records.
Design Your Universe (2009–2011)
On March 4, 2009, Epica announced their return to the studio where they would begin the recording process for a new album. In April 2009, it was revealed that the new album’s title would be “Design Your UniverseDesign Your Universe
Design Your Universe is the fourth full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released on October 16, 2009.-Pre-release and production:The band entered Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany on March 2, 2009....
”. It continued the A New Age Dawns
A New Age Dawns
A New Age Dawns is the collective title for a series of songs written and performed by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica.The first four songs were released on Epica's 2005 album Consign to Oblivion...
saga which started on Consign to Oblivion
Consign to Oblivion
Consign to Oblivion is the second studio-album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, and was released in April 2005. "Trois Vierges" features a guest appearance by Kamelot vocalist Roy Khan. The album's lyrics are heavily influenced by Mayan Civilization. The CD was released with copy control on it....
. The album was released on October 16, 2009. To promote this release, they performed in Amsterdam at Paradiso on October 10, 2009. This is the first Epica album to feature Isaac Delahaye. The record also contains a guest appearance from Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica
Sonata Arctica are a Finnish power metal band from the town of Kemi, originally assembled in 1995. Their later works contain several elements typical of progressive metal.....
vocalist Tony Kakko
Tony Kakko
Toni Kristian "Tony" Kakko is a Finnish musician, composer and vocalist. He is mainly known as the vocalist, primary songwriter, and creative force in the band Sonata Arctica since 1996.-Biography:...
on the song “White Waters”. The album debuted in #8 in the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
charts. On December 31, 2009, it was announced through their website that a new single will be released. The song is called “This Is the Time
This Is the Time (Epica song)
This Is the Time is an EP released by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released digitally on October 15, 2010. All profits of the song "This Is the Time" go to the World Wildlife Fund and the band has chosen to support the project "Cerrado / Brazilian Savanna" -Digital Download EP:# "This...
” and all profit will go to World Wide Fund for Nature
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
.
In September 2010, Simone once again contributed vocals to an album of Kamelot, this time on the tracks "House on a Hill", "Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. II: So Long" and "Poetry for the Poisoned, Pt. III: All Is Over" on the album Poetry for the Poisoned
Poetry for the Poisoned
Poetry for the Poisoned is the ninth studio album from metal band Kamelot. It was released on the earMUSIC label, a subdivision of Edel, on September 10, 2010 in Europe, and four days later in North America by the band's own label, KMG Recordings. It was the last release to feature longtime...
.
Requiem for the Indifferent (2011–present)
In an interview in November 2010, Simone stated that the band is going to start writing music around February 2011 after their Latin American tour is over. She also stated that they are hoping for a release in the first quarter of 2012. As of May 2011, 14 tracks have been written without lyrics. The band plans to enter the studio after the Summer. Sascha Paeth will once again be the producer. The album is currently due to be released on March 9, 2012. On 1 December, the band announced that the name of the 5th studio album is going to be Requiem for the Indifferent, and will be inspired by such factors as the enormous tension between different religions and cultures, wars, natural disasters and the financial crisis.Style
Epica performs a blend of progressive metalProgressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
, gothic metal
Gothic metal
Gothic metal or goth metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines the aggression of doom metal with the dark melancholy of gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music...
and symphonic metal
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
. Another component of Epica’s style is power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
; their former guitarist Ad Sluijter having described the band as “a bridge between power metal and gothic metal.” Vocalist Simone Simons has expressed a preference for the group to be described as symphonic metal though the founder of the group Mark Jansen notes that they do not mind being called gothic metal.
The music of Epica is aggressive, bombastic and excessive with some songs being “epic, grand and majestic” and others “more subdued and introspective.” The band is also known to have progressive tendencies while a gothic atmosphere and sentimentality is also present in their music.
Epica uses a “trademark of many symphonic and gothic metal bands” in contrasting “two extremes, death grunts and brutality on one side, airy female melodiousness on the other.” Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic notes that the band’s “attraction ultimately hinges on exploring the sonic contrasts of light and dark; the punishing intensity of those elephantine guitar riffs and hyperactive drumming cast against the soaring, layered sweetness of the orchestrated strings and keyboards.” Simone Simons delivers operatic vocals in a mezzo-soprano range though she has also been known to sometimes sing “with a clear alto voice that has a flawless tone and a lot of emotion.” Mark Jansen delivers death grunts
Death growl
A death growl, also known as death metal vocals, guttural vocals, death grunts, and harsh vocals among other names, is a vocalisation style usually employed by vocalists of the death metal and black metal music genre, but also used in a variety of heavy metal and hardcore punk subgenres.Death...
“that are secondary to Simons’ singing, but very important in terms of balance and variety.” The group is also known to employ human choirs and orchestras with additional embellishments such as spoken word recitals and lyrics in Latin and Arabic.
Line-up
- Simone SimonsSimone SimonsSimone Johanna Maria Simons is a Dutch coloratura mezzo-soprano singer who is the lead vocalist of symphonic metal band Epica.-Biography:...
– mezzo-soprano vocalsMezzo-sopranoA mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above...
(2003–present) - Mark JansenMark JansenMark Jansen, , is a heavy metal musician.As guitarist, Jansen founded After Forever with Sander Gommans, and was one of the main songwriters since their debut album Prison of Desire. He left After Forever in 2002, and after his departure the band took a new musical direction...
– rhythm guitars, grunts, screamsScreaming (music)Screaming is a vocal technique that is most popular in subgenres of heavy metal, punk and hard rock, including metalcore, deathcore, post-hardcore, groove metal, black metal, and grindcore...
(2002–present) - Isaac DelahayeIsaac DelahayeIsaac Delahaye was the lead guitarist for the Dutch death metal band God Dethroned. Delahaye replaced former guitarist Jens Van Der Valk after he left in 2004. He joined the band after a request from drummer and longtime friend Ariën van Weesenbeek, and after several meetings with Von Weesenbeek...
– lead guitars, backing vocals (2009–present) - Yves Huts – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2002–present) - Coen Janssen – synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
(2002–present) - Ariën van WeesenbeekAriën Van WeesenbeekAriën van Weesenbeek is the drummer for the Dutch death metal band God Dethroned.Ariën started as a 3 year old smashing furniture with spoons and forks before discovering his dad's drum kit....
– drums, grunts, spoken words (2007–present)
Former members
- Helena Iren MichaelsenHelena Iren MichaelsenHelena Iren Michaelsen is a Norwegian soprano, singer of the Dutch band Imperia and her last project Angel, and former vocalist of Sahara Dust and Trail of Tears.- With Trail of Tears :*When Silence Cries... - 1997...
– soprano vocals (2002) - Iwan Hendrikx – drums (2002)
- Dennis LeeflangDennis LeeflangDennis Leeflang is a rock drummer, currently living in New York City. He's most known for his work with Bumblefoot...
– drums (2002) - Jeroen Simons – drums (2002–2006)
- Ad SluijterAd SluijterAd Sluijter is a Dutch guitarist who is mostly known for his work with the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. He also contributed to other bands like Delain.- Links :* the of his current band, Hangover Hero...
– guitars (2002–2008)
Session members
- Koen Herfst – drums (tour 2007)
- Amanda SomervilleAmanda SomervilleAmanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter and vocal coach.- Personal life :Somerville was born in Flushing, Michigan, and attended Flushing Senior High School and the University of Michigan in Flint, Michigan...
– vocals (North American tour 2008), background vocals on The Phantom Agony, Consign to Oblivion, The Divine Conspiracy, and Design Your Universe. - Oliver PalotaiOliver PalotaiOliver Palotai is a heavy metal musician.-Career:He made his name playing keyboards and guitar for Doro and keyboards for Circle II Circle before joining Blaze Bayley's BLAZE as a replacement for founding guitarist John Slater in 2004...
– keyboards (North American tour 2010)
Studio albums
- 2003: The Phantom AgonyThe Phantom AgonyThe Phantom Agony is the first full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released in 2003 by the Dutch label Transmission Records. It is the first album recorded by guitarist Mark Jansen after his departure from the band After Forever. On this album, Mark Jansen continues...
- 2005: Consign to OblivionConsign to OblivionConsign to Oblivion is the second studio-album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, and was released in April 2005. "Trois Vierges" features a guest appearance by Kamelot vocalist Roy Khan. The album's lyrics are heavily influenced by Mayan Civilization. The CD was released with copy control on it....
- 2007: The Divine ConspiracyThe Divine ConspiracyThe Divine Conspiracy is the third full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica as well as their first concept album. It was released on September 7, 2007 through Nuclear Blast in Europe...
- 2009: Design Your UniverseDesign Your UniverseDesign Your Universe is the fourth full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released on October 16, 2009.-Pre-release and production:The band entered Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany on March 2, 2009....
- 2012: Requiem for the Indifferent
EPs and singles
- 2003: “The Phantom AgonyThe Phantom Agony (song)"The Phantom Agony" is the debut single of Dutch symphonic metal band Epica.-CD single:#"The Phantom Agony" – 4:35#"Veniality" – 4:36#"Façade of Reality 'The Embrace That Smothers - Part V'" – 8:12#"Veniality" – 4:37...
” - 2004: “FeintFeint (song)"Feint" is the second single of Dutch symphonic metal band Epica.-Track listing:# "Feint" - 4:19# "Feint" - 4:54# "Triumph of Defeat" - 3:58# "Seif al Din" - 5:46...
” - 2004: “Cry for the Moon”
- 2005: “Solitary GroundSolitary Ground"Solitary Ground" is a ballad by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, taken from their second full-length album Consign to Oblivion.-Track listing:# "Solitary Ground" - 4:06# "Solitary Ground" - 3:10...
” - 2005: “Quietus (Silent Reverie)”
- 2007: “Never EnoughNever Enough (Epica song)"Never Enough" is the sixth single released by the Dutch symphonic metal ensemble Epica. The album was released as a three-track digital download on August 10, 2007. It is the first single from their fourth album, The Divine Conspiracy.-Track listing:...
” - 2008: “Chasing the DragonChasing the Dragon (Epica song)"Chasing the Dragon" is the seventh single released by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. The album was released as a 7" LP on July 27, 2008. It is the second single from their fourth album, The Divine Conspiracy...
” - 2009: “UnleashedUnleashed (song)"Unleashed" is the eighth single released by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, it was released on September 25 as a video. The single never had a physical release.-Music video:...
” - 2010: “This Is the TimeThis Is the Time (Epica song)This Is the Time is an EP released by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released digitally on October 15, 2010. All profits of the song "This Is the Time" go to the World Wildlife Fund and the band has chosen to support the project "Cerrado / Brazilian Savanna" -Digital Download EP:# "This...
”
Compilations and other recordings
- 2005: The Score – An Epic Journey
- 2006: The Road to ParadisoThe Road to ParadisoThe Road to Paradiso is a book about the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica which was accompanied by a compilation album of the same name. It was released on May 4, 2006, on the same night they performed at Paradiso in Amsterdam...
- 2009: The Classical ConspiracyThe Classical ConspiracyThe Classical Conspiracy is the second live album released by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. The recorded live show took part in Miskolc, Hungary on June 14, 2008 in the framework of the Miskolc Opera Festival, where the Swedish symphonic metal band Therion had done a similar show a year...
Music videos
- 2003: “The Phantom Agony”
- 2004: “Feint”
- 2005: “Solitary Ground”
- 2005: “Solitary Ground (alternative version)”
- 2005: “Quietus”
- 2007: “Never Enough (Light Version)”
- 2007: “Never Enough (Dark Version)”
- 2009: “Unleashed”
- 2010: “This Is the Time”