Epica (band)

Not to be confused with Epica (album).

Epica

Epica is a Dutch heavy metal band which puts emphasis on the use of operatic elements and death grunts, also performing some song passages in Latin. The band was founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever.

History

Sahara Dust (2002–2003)

In early 2002, Mark Jansen left After Forever due to creative differences and began looking for musicians to integrate a new musical project, 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, 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 violins, two violas, two cellos and a 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 2003. As a result, they were signed to Transmission Records.

The Phantom Agony (2003–2004)

Epica's debut album, "The Phantom Agony".

Their debut album, "The Phantom Agony", 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, 2001 attacks and includes fragments from speeches of Tony Blair.

The album was followed by three singles: "The Phantom Agony", "Feint" and "Cry for the Moon".

Consign to Oblivion / The Score - An Epic Journey (2005–2007)

Their second release, entitled "Consign to Oblivion", 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 scores as a basis, with Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman being 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 "The Score - An Epic Journey" was released in September 2005 and is the soundtrack for a Dutch movie called Joyride, though it can also be seen as their third album. Characterised by guitarist, Mark Jansen, the album is "Typically 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, their drummer, Jeroen Simons, left the band, due to his wish to pursue his other musical interests. In fall 2006, Simone once again contributed vocals to Kamelot's new album "Ghost Opera", this time on the tracks "Blücher" and "Season's End". In December Ariën Van Weesenbeek from God Dethroned was announced at the official website of the band to be the drummer for their new album, though not to become a band member.

The Divine Conspiracy (2007–present)

In September of 2007, Epica headlined their first tour through North America and released their latest 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. They will once again tour North America in April 2008, with Into Eternity and Symphony X,this time with Amanda Somerville due to Simone's Sickness.

The first single of the album was released on August 10, 2007 entitled "Never Enough".

Line-up

• Simone Simons - mezzo-soprano vocals
• Mark Jansen - guitar, grunts, screams
• Ad Sluijter - guitar
• Yves Huts - bass guitar
• Coen Janssen - synthesizer, piano
• Ariën Van Weesenbeek - drums

Past members

• Jeroen Simons - drums
• Helena Michaelsen - vocals

Session members

• Ariën Van Weesenbeek - drums (The Divine Conspiracy and for Epica live in 2007, select dates). Joined as a full-time member of the band in late 2007.
• Koen Herfst - drums (For Epica live in 2007)
• Amanda Somerville - vocals (Live for 2008 USA tour)

Discography

Demos

• 2003: Cry for the Moon

Studio albums

• 2003: The Phantom Agony
• 2005: Consign to Oblivion
• 2005: The Score - An Epic Journey
• 2007: The Divine Conspiracy

EPs and singles

• 2003: "The Phantom Agony"
• 2004: "Feint"
• 2004: "Cry for the Moon"
• 2005: "Solitary Ground"
• 2005: "Quietus (Silent Reverie)"
• 2007: "Never Enough"

Compilations

• 2006: The Road to Paradiso

DVDs

• 2004: We Will Take You with Us

External links

• Official website
• Official fan club