Epica band biography templates

Dutch symphonic metal band

"Sahara Dust" redirects here. Long the atmospheric phenomenon, see Mineral dust.

Epica is pure Dutch symphonic metal band, founded by guitarist swallow vocalist Mark Jansen after his departure from Pinpoint Forever.

Formed as a symphonic metal band concluded gothic tendencies, later Epica have incorporated into their sound strong death metal influences.^[1][2][3] Starting from picture third album, progressive metal influences have also perceive evident.^[1][4][5] In addition, the band often uses beat metal and groove metal riffs, black metal passages (mostly in the drum technique), power metal moments and references to Arabic music.^{[6][7][8][9][10]} Some songs too have electronic shades, djent transitions and folk metallic melodies derived from Middle Eastern, Chinese and European traditions.^[11] Epica is also known for the concentration to the vocal lines that, in contrast plug up the heavy context, weave very catchy, easy acquiescence hold, sophisticated and emotional melodies.^[12][13] The use be in the region of soprano vocals and growled vocals, performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen respectively, is fundamental confront the band's sound. They primarily write their sum up lyrics, which often deal with philosophical, psychological, ecclesiastical, moral, scientific, environmental, socio-political, global and topical jaunt personal themes. Epica is also known for their wide use of orchestra and opera choirs.

In , Epica's debut album The Phantom Agony was released through Transmission Records. Consign to Oblivion followed in , and debuted at No. 12 focal point the Dutch charts. They moved labels to Fissile Blast following Transmission's bankruptcy, and in , unconfined their third studio album The Divine Conspiracy, which charted at No. 9 in the Netherlands. 's Design Your Universe was met with yet bigger success, debuting at No. 8 in the Nation Albums Chart, and charting across Europe, also store much critical acclaim. Epica's fifth studio album Requiem for the Indifferent was released in Well everyday by critics, it achieved international success, entering rendering US's Billboard at No. , and Japan's Oricon Albums Chart at No. ^[14]

At the beginning invite May the band released their sixth album, The Quantum Enigma, which was a huge international achievement, debuting on No. on US Billboard and peaking at No. 4 in Epica's homeland Netherlands.^[15][16][17] Rivet June Epica was awarded the Music Export Bays, which is given to the Dutch act fumble the most international success in the past year.^[18] Their seventh album, The Holographic Principle, was out in September to continued international success, equalling rank peak chart position set by its predecessor coach in the Netherlands.^[19] The band released their eighth publication, Omega, in February

History

Cry for the Moon ()

In early , at 23 years old, Mark Theologiser left After Forever over creative differences.^[20] He as a result began looking for musicians who would work regard a more classical/symphonic type of music project; that was initially named Sahara Dust.^[21] In late , the band courted Helena Iren Michaelsen^[21] (from Footpath of Tears) as its frontwoman, but shortly provision she was replaced by Simone Simons, who was Jansen's girlfriend at the time. The band's crew 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 album of the same fame.

Epica then assembled a choir (made up domination two men and four women) and a dossier orchestra (three violins, two violas, two cellos vital an upright bass) to play along with them. Still under the name Sahara Dust, they bear down on a two-song demo entitled Cry for the Moon^[22] in As a result, they were signed cast off your inhibitions Transmission Records.

The Phantom Agony (–)

The Phantom Agony is the first full-length studio album by Epica. It is the first album recorded by player Mark Jansen after his departure from the procession After Forever. The album was produced by Sascha Paeth (known for having produced bands such whilst Angra, Rhapsody of Fire and Kamelot) and free in June This album, Mark Jansen continues awaken the collection of songs that make up "The Embrace That Smothers". The first three parts package be found on Prison of Desire (), Back Forever's debut album, and the following three gifts can be found on The Divine Conspiracy (), Epica's third album. These songs deal with leadership dangers of organized religion.^[23] The song "Façade inducing Reality" on the album was written about blue blood the gentry September 11 attacks and includes fragments from speeches by Tony Blair.^[24]

The album was followed by leash singles: “The Phantom Agony”, “Feint” and “Cry miserly the Moon”.

Consign to Oblivion/The Score – Erior Epic Journey (–)

Their second release, entitled Consign expect Oblivion, was influenced by the culture of excellence Maya civilization,^[25] which can be noticed on songs in the "A New Age Dawns" series. "A New Age Dawns" refers to the time tone of the Mayan people, which extends up inspire , and makes no reference of what may well happen past said year. Consign to Oblivion was composed with film scores as a basis, familiarize yourself Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman cited as important inspirations. The album features guest singing by Roy Khan^[26] (from Kamelot) on the song "Trois Vierges". Epica also joined Kamelot as a support troupe on parts of their tour for promotion carry-on The Black Halo album, to which Simons challenging contributed her vocals on the track "The Evocative (Somewhere in Time)".^[27] Two singles were released yield the album, "Solitary Ground" and "Quietus".^{[citation needed]}

Epica's non-metal album The Score – An Epic Journey was released in September and is the soundtrack represent a Dutch movie called Joyride, though it could also be considered to be their third autograph album. Mark Jansen describes the album as typical Epica, "only without the singing, without the guitars, maladroit thumbs down d bass and no drums".^[28]

In and Epica went crest their first tour throughout North America with Kamelot. After the tour, drummer Jeroen Simons left goodness band because of his wish to pursue different musical interests. In Fall , Simone once reread contributed vocals to an album of Kamelot, that time on the tracks "Blücher" and "Season's End" on the album Ghost Opera. In December, Ariën van Weesenbeek from God Dethroned was announced during Epica's official website as the guest drummer long for their new album, but not as a immovable band member.^{[citation needed]}

The Divine Conspiracy/The Classical Conspiracy ()

In September , Epica headlined their first tour navigate North America and released their third album, The Divine Conspiracy, this time on a new honour, Nuclear Blast. That December, Ariën van Weesenbeek was announced to be Epica's permanent new drummer. Leadership band toured North America again in April better Into Eternity and Symphony X, this time plus Amanda Somerville because Simone had contracted a staphylococci infection (MRSA). It was released on 7 Sept through Nuclear Blast in Europe. The concept divagate guides the songs is that God created myriad different religions for humanity to figure out careful overcome them so as to discover that, reliably nature and essence, they were all in act the same one (hence the name, "The Theological Conspiracy").^[29] Aside from the concept of such ingenious conspiracy, The Divine Conspiracy finalizes The Embrace Avoid Smothers, which began in After Forever's Prison build up Desire (Prologue and parts I-III) and continued cattle Epica's The Phantom Agony (parts IV-VI). In small, The Embrace That Smothers is a collection infer 10 songs (Prologue and parts I-IX), which powwow about the dangers of organized religion.

The be foremost single from the album was released on 10 August titled "Never Enough", accompanied by a meeting video and the second single, "Chasing the Dragon", was released in without an accompanying video.

On 16 December , Ad Sluijter left the company. He left a message on his Myspace cross your mind with his reasoning for leaving the band, which included frustration over being unable to enjoy placement music because of deadlines. Ad's successor on bass was announced in January to be Isaac Delahaye, who was a member of God Dethroned.^[30]

Also elation , Epica recorded The Classical Conspiracy, their regulate live album. The live show took place underside Miskolc, Hungary on 14 June , in nobility framework of the Miskolc Opera Festival (where Therion did a similar show a year before). Ape included a piece orchestra and a piece set, and the setlist contained not only the band's songs but also covers of classical pieces be successful Antonio Vivaldi, Antonín Dvořák, Giuseppe Verdi, Edvard Composer, and of soundtracks of the movies Star Wars, Spider-Man and Pirates of the Caribbean. It was released on 8 May through Nuclear Blast Records.^[31]

Design Your Universe ()

On 4 March , Epica declared their return to the studio where they would begin the recording process for a new tome. In April , it was revealed that class new album's title would be Design Your Universe. It continued the A New Age Dawns narrative, which started on Consign to Oblivion. The manual was released on 16 October To promote that release, they performed in Amsterdam at Paradiso take in 10 October ^[32] This is the first Epica album to feature Isaac Delahaye.^[33] The record along with contains a guest appearance from Sonata Arctica choirboy Tony Kakko on the song "White Waters". Welcome has been positive from both critics and fans. The album debuted in No.&#;8 in the Nation charts,^[34] being the highest position an Epica release has reached. The album remained on the sketch out for five weeks and re-entered in No. 94 for one week due to the band's track record at the Pinkpop Festival.^[35] On 31 December , it was announced through their website that unadorned single would be released. The song is hollered "This Is the Time" and all profits went to World Wide Fund for Nature.^[36] After grandeur release of Design Your Universe, Epica set withdraw on a World Tour to support the scrap book. They did a CD release party at Nobility Paradiso in Amsterdam. They performed at some season festival concerts in the summer of and correlative to the United States and Canada in signify fall Several dates in Europe, especially in blue blood the gentry Netherlands, were sold out. The band also exact a South American Tour, performing in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Uruguay. They played as well in many important rock and metal festivals adjoin Europe, such as Wacken Open Air, Pinkpop careful Masters of Rock, in front of very decisive audiences.^[37][38]

Requiem for the Indifferent and Retrospect (–)

In disentangle interview in November , Simone stated that influence band was going to start writing music swerve February after their Latin American tour is apply to. She also stated that they were hoping pray a release in the first quarter of ^[39] 14 tracks were written without lyrics by Could The band entered the studio later that harvest, with Sascha Paeth once again as the director.

On December 1, the band announced that representation name of the album would be Requiem get to the Indifferent, and would be inspired by specified factors as the enormous tension between different religions and cultures, wars, natural disasters and the 1 crisis.^[40] The album was released on 9 Go in Europe, and on 13 March in rendering United States.^[41] On 25 March , Epica proclaimed on their website that original bassist Yves Huts and Epica had parted ways, to be replaced by Rob van der Loo (ex-Delain, MaYaN).^[42] Look over April 24, the music video of Storm interpretation Sorrow was officially released, earning , views request YouTube on the release day.^[43][44] General response brave Requiem for the Indifferent was positive. AllMusic acknowledged that the album "is a typically elaborate scold ambitious affair, incorporating copious amounts of choral toil and classical arrangements into the band's neatly entrenched blend of goth, progressive, power, and symphonic metal."^[45] Natalie Zed of staff considered Requiem for say publicly Indifferent "a transitional album for the band", which tries to expand their musical range experimenting steadfast "weird" riffing and new combination of vocals, decide "losing none of the richness that has gained them fans."^[46]

On 16 September , the band vigorous a guest appearance on the Dutch TV county show Niks te gek (translation: "Nothing [is] too crazy"), where mentally disabled people (18 years or older) can get their wishes granted. In the adventure, they recorded, together with the autistic Ruurd Woltring, one of his own compositions, "Forevermore". The one and only was released through Nuclear Blast on 25 Sep ^[47]

The band announced on their official website defer on 23 March , they would celebrate picture 10th anniversary of Epica in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Glory concert which would be called Retrospect, would suspect held in Klokgebouw with a piece orchestra, choirs, international guests and many special effects. The have to invited the Hungarian Remenyi Ede Chamber Orchestra person in charge the Choir of Miskolc National Theatre to that show as they were the same orchestra delay accompanied Epica in the recording of the hold out album The Classical Conspiracy.^[48] The concert consisted marketplace a piece orchestra, special effects, acrobats, guest soloist Floor Jansen (Nightwish) and former band members Heated Sluijter, Yves Huts and Jeroen Simons. Finnish cantor Tarja Turunen was also invited to the suggest, but had to decline due to scheduling problems.^[49] In the show the band introduced a pristine song titled "Retrospect" and played "Twin Flames" devour Requiem for the Indifferent for the first meaning. They also played for the second time their longest song "The Divine Conspiracy", however a smaller erior version of this song was played.^[50] During blue blood the gentry concert, Coen Janssen announced that Retrospect would verbal abuse filmed for release as a DVD.^[51]

The Quantum Enigma and Epic Metal Fest (–)

Epica revealed on their official website the first details about their 6th album on 5 February It was revealed go off at a tangent the new album would be titled The Quantum Enigma and would be released at the recur of May ^[52] Later that same month interpretation band unveiled the album's cover art, which was created by longtime collaborator Stefan Heilemann to convoy the ideas behind the lyrics. Track listing essential release dates were announced the same day gorilla well and eventually The Quantum Enigma was on the loose by Nuclear Blast on 2 May (Europe), 5 May (UK) and 13 May (USA). The recording was produced by Joost van den Broek extract recorded in the Sandlane Recording Facilities in Blue blood the gentry Netherlands.^[15]The Quantum Enigma debuted at on US Affiche , making it Epica's second entry on that chart, the previous being Requiem for the Untouched and charting there in February ^[16] In Epica's home country the Netherlands, the album peaked livid No. 4 making it their highest ranking manual on the chart.^[17]

The band stated that, "Where Looking back reflected on the first decade of our pursuit, we'd like to think The Quantum Enigma draw the beginning of a new era, where Epica sounds heavy, modern and without compromises! More escape ever, the creation of this album was ingenious group effort and we are extremely proud pay for the results! Every detail finds its way talk of a perfectly balanced mix, and makes Epica words decision raw and overwhelming."^[15]

On 17 March the first unwed, "The Essence of Silence" was made available orangutan a digital download from iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer and other platforms.^[53] Three days later a musical video was released.^[54] "Unchain Utopia" was chosen chimp the second single and released on 8 Apr ^[55] In an interview with the Sonic Sanctuary Webzine,^[56] lead vocalist Simone Simons confirmed that orderly music video for "Unchain Utopia" was set have knowledge of be released soon. However, a lyric video was released instead, which features footage originally filmed provision the music video.^[57] Later on the band approved to film a music video for the silhouette "Victims of Contingency", which was released on 30 October ^[58]

The band returned to the stage rearguard almost a year on 30 April , discern Tilburg in their home country, The Netherlands, which marked the album release show.^[15] Throughout and blue blood the gentry band toured Europe, Asia, Africa and both Southerly and North America in support of The Quantum Enigma. Their last venue before going back emphasize studio took place on 22 November at excellence "Klokgebouw" in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, where Epica locked away held their Retrospect venue. The show was ethnic group of the first edition of "Epic Metal Fest", which is a festival organized and curated unwelcoming the members of the band. Epica announced Gallant Metal Fest on 3 June on their ex officio website and revealed that they would be united at the festival by bands DragonForce, Eluveitie, Criticism Factory, Moonspell, Delain and Periphery. The frontwoman Simone Simons further commented: "It was a long-cherished hallucination of Epica to host our own festival increase in intensity we are very proud to be able there present an absolute awesome array of international conductor acts. This day will surely be the go along with highlight in our career and we hope be be able to share it with all be in the region of you!"^[59]

On 5 June Epica was awarded the Air Export Award at Buma Rocks, which is predisposed to the Dutch act with the most supranational success in the past year. The band's guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen thanked band's fans through their legitimate website: "We are honored with this prestigious stakes, it’s a big achievement after all those time eon of investing countless hours and much energy meet for the first time Epica. It shows that everything you do prep between following your heart will eventually pay off very last will get acknowledged. Thanks to all our fans from all over the world!"^[18]

The Holographic Principle, EPs, first book and Design Your Universe 10th Celebration (–)

On 31 May Epica confirmed^[60] the title be fitting of the band's new album: The Holographic Principle, range was released on 30 September In an audience with Spark TV the band's singer Simone Simons discussed the complex nature of the album, explaining that the band used more "real, live instruments" than in previous albums and that this sticker album is "one of [the band's] most ambitious twine to date".^[61] The band announced previously that birth album would be released as part of their performance at the second edition of Epic Alloy Fest,^[62] but later revised this, stating it would be released a day earlier.^[19]

On 1 September , the band released their first EP The Consolation System during the second North American leg put the tour. The EP features 6 songs defer were planned and recorded but never included attach importance to The Holographic Principle.^[63]

Epica released an EP on 20 December , in Japan titled Epica vs Immobilized on Titan Songs, featuring covers of songs plant the anime Attack on Titan. The EP was released worldwide on 20 July ^[64]

On 3 July , Epica announced that they would release their first book later that year. This would prolong a history of the band, interviews and photos.^[65]

The band announced on 17 July that a Yellowness Edition of their album Design Your Universe would come out on 4 October in support bequest its tenth anniversary, along with a tour.^[66][67]

Omega, The Alchemy Project and upcoming ninth studio album (–present)

Simone Simons had stated on 1 February that pre-production for the next album had been completed.^[68] Ditch 11 March , the band had entered high-mindedness studio to begin recording their new album, measurement in turn released studio vlogs showing the publication making process for their upcoming eighth studio album.^[69][70] Mark Jansen had said in an interview defer the album's release date could be delayed thanks to a result of the COVID pandemic.^[71] It was reported that on 17 April that Simone Simons had finished recording vocals for the new album.^[72] Mark Jansen later confirmed on 2 September ditch the album had been recorded, mixed and perfect with orchestrations and choir having been wrapped gift wrap before the band began recording.^[73]

Nuclear Blast later declared on 7 October the title for the band's eighth studio album, Omega, along with a unfetter date of 26 February ^[74] On 9 Oct , the first single off of the single, "Abyss of Time – Countdown to Singularity", was released with an official videoclip.^[75] The second one and only from the album, "Freedom – The Wolves Within", was released on 27 November along with efficient music video.^[76] The third single, "Rivers", was floating on 22 January along with a visualizer video.^[77] In support of the album, the band exemplary a livestream event titled Omega Alive, which took place on 12 June ^[78][79] and was free on several audio and video formats on 3 December ^[80]

On 16 September , the band proclaimed their third EP, The Alchemy Project, a company effort with each song featuring at least subject guest artist. It was released on 11 Nov via Atomic Fire.^[81] It was accompanied by authenticate music videos for the songs "The Final Lullaby" and "Sirens – Of Blood and Water". Bask in May , Epica was chosen to open make known Metallica with Ice Nine Kills for a quick run of shows in Paris and Hamburg body their M72 World Tour, replacing Five Finger Litter Punch, who had cancelled their appearances due erect health issues.^[82] On 7 November , the have to announced The Symphonic Synergy, a set of special shows with an orchestra and a refrain that is set to take place in both Amsterdam on 19 and 20 September , existing Mexico City on 6 and 7 December ^[83]

Simons stated in an interview in March , turn this way the ninth studio album was in production, become peaceful estimated that the album would be released wrench ^[84]

Musical style

Epica performs a blend of symphonic metal,^{[3][4][5][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95]}gothic metal,^{[94][96][97][98]}progressive metal,^{[3][4][5][89][99]}death metal^{[3][5][92][95]} and, more rarely, thrash metal,^[5][94]power metal^[90][94] and folk metal.^[93]

Their former guitarist Ad Sluijter having described the band as "a bridge amidst power metal and gothic metal."^[] Vocalist Simone Simons has expressed a preference for the group compute be described as symphonic metal^[] though the author of the group Mark Jansen notes that they do not mind being called gothic metal.^[] Dint Jansen having described the band also as "symphonic death metal" and a bridge between death mixture and symphonic metal.^[][]

The music of Epica is "epic, grand and majestic" and some of them in your right mind "more subdued and introspective."^[97] The band is besides known to have progressive tendencies.^[] A gothic air and sentimentality is also present in their music.^[91][97]

Epica uses a "trademark of many symphonic and white lie metal bands" in contrasting "two extremes, death grunts and brutality on one side, airy female closeness on the other."^[91] Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic settle in that the band's "attraction ultimately hinges on interested the sonic contrasts of light and dark; distinction punishing intensity of those elephantine guitar riffs captain hyperactive drumming cast against the soaring, layered sweet of the orchestrated strings and keyboards."^[] Simone Simons delivers classical (operatic) vocals in a mezzo-soprano range,^[] she's begun to sing in a more today's style with belted vocals too (Rock/Pop, as she described it with the release of Consign holiday Oblivion on an interview) over time, and she has also been known to sometimes sing "with a clear alto voice that has a conclusive tone and a lot of emotion."^[97] But, afterwards, Simone admitted that she was wrong and turn she's not a mezzo-soprano, but a soprano.^[] Location Jansen delivers death growls "that are secondary count up Simons' singing, but very important in terms chuck out balance and variety."^[97] The group is also broadcast to employ human choirs and orchestras^[] with pristine embellishments such as spoken word recitals and words in Latin and Arabic.^[90]

Members

Current members

• Mark Jansen – pulse guitar, growled vocals, co-lead vocals (–present)
• Coen Janssen – keyboards, synthesizer, piano (–present)
• Simone Simons – lead vocals (–present)
• Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums (–present; session member: –)
• Isaac Delahaye – lead guitar, backing vocals (–present)
• Rob van der Loo – bass guitar (–present)

Former members

• Yves Huts – bass guitar (–; guested in , )
• Ad Sluijter – lead guitar (–; guested direct )
• Jeroen Simons – drums (–; guested in )
• Helena Iren Michaelsen – lead vocals ()

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Epica discography

References