Founded in April 2002 by the former member of After Forever, Mark Jansen, the Dutch band Epica under the genre of Gothic Metal. This began with two guitars and vocals in the style of sacred music, a soprano singer, violins, cellos and piano composed the Gothic Metal.
Despite being newly formed, Epica is among the main references for this style. Initially the band was called Sahara Dust and counted with the participation of the Norwegian singer Helena Michaelsen (former Trail of Tears).
But in October 2002, Simone Simons just 17 years old, was invited by Mark Jansen to be the ultimate vocalist. In November, the band entered the studio in the city of Rotterdam (where After Forever Prison of Desire recorded), to record the demo Cry For The Moon, which would be released the following month.
This work had the name of Illusive Consensus. His first live performance was the 15th of December in Tilburg, Holland. In January 2003 began the recordings in Germany, the album The Phantom Agony. In March, following several meetings between the members there arose the idea of changing the name to the band. Simone Simons: Epica is a place in the universe where we can find the most important answers to the questions of life. Most of our lyrics are similar to the meaning of Epica.
Kamelot then had just recorded his album entitled Epica. "We love the title, now we love to listen to Kamelot. And we decided to rename Epica". Launched in June 2003, The Phantom Agony was produced by Sascha Paeth (producer of Rhapsody, Kamelot, Angra, etc.) with a strong influence of Arabic music, as Seif al Din, and melodic metal. They decided to combine voice soprano Simone Simons and Mark Jansen demonic voice.
The participation of choirs grand appearance, the title Run for a Fall written by Mark Jansen describes on his departure from After Forever. Fasade of Reality addresses the attacks of September 11, including statements of Tony Blair; proving that there is a humanist and social consciousness among members, especially Mark Jansen, composer of seven songs on the album.
In 2003, the band had performances in Holland, Belgium and France. In September, the fans were enthusiastic with The Phantom Agony. This video evokes a medieval, mystical and great atmosphere.
In October it was released the single The Phantom Agony, that after the title had several versions, as Fasade of Reality and veniality unpublished. In January 2004 came the single Feint, then the piano version was made in following the reissue of Seif al Din came the news that was Triumph of Defeat. Followed by the song came the video clip Feint.
In May it was released single Cry for the Moon. Finally in September 2004, it is released on DVD We Will Take You With Us, including video clips, Making Off and acoustic apresentaciones, live and study. The presentations continued in 2004. europe presentations were in England, Germany, Turkey, Spain, Portugal and other countries.
In December the Mexican witnessed the show of Epica. At the end of the year the band entered the studio to record their second album: Consign to Oblivion. This paper addresses the Maya culture, and was released in April 2005 and produced by German Sascha Paeth and Philip Colodetti Brazil. In September of the same year it was released album The Score "" An Epic Journey. In this paper some songs were recorded originally for composing the soundtrack of the Dutch movie Joyride.
A total of 20 tracks that make up this disc; Since Trois Vierges (in several versions), and Solitary Ground Quietus were included to Consign to Oblivion. The results for all compositions of Epica a magnificent result. So guitars, contra-bass, drums; and the choir stand with the voice of Simone Simons. In October, he launched the single Quietus Epica. This paper has two versions, also contains video-clip, and unreleased songs like Linger and Crystal Mountain.
Epica is formed by Mark Jansen (guitar and vocal), Simone Simons (vocals), Coen Jansen (keyboards), Yves Huts (bass) and recently Ariën van Weesenbeek (drums) and Isaac Delahayee (guitar). With a few years of existence, Epica is considered one of the best bands in the world Gothic Metal scene.
After massive monumental splendor of The Phantom Agony (2003), Epica, he is now launching its majestic Consing successor to Oblivion. In this album, largely inspired by the culture, the group around the mezzo-soprano Simone Simons and guitarist Mark Jansen enters new territory: One thing, however, has not disappeared: The avenue, ecstasy and fascination Sound Epica.
New is the enhanced accessibility and variety of compositions (ranging from unadulterated up Ghotic Metal Ballads).
Mark Jansen: "This album marks the passage to adulthood Epica. This is the album that Haba always wanted to do. Now we finally had the opportunity and the ability to make a project like this'.
With the cinematic prologue of the album Hunab-K'u, the birth of a new era, the tone is set. Along with the band Epica (A string orchestra 8 pieces) and the choir Epica (With the strength of six men and women), the advent of a new dawn is announced (Hunab Ku means the origin of the universe in Maya), subsequent which, accompanied by thunderous drum rolls drummer Jeroen Simons, Dance of Fate, A dazzling piece of grandstanding on fire, and the Turro chorus proclaiming Safety Systems in Latin: pandamus Portas Novas, et pastnos accudamus (We must open new doors and lock it left behind), Mark Jansen: "Call Consing to bombastic Oblivion is no problem.
We have never had problems with that word. Epic bombast makes sly and I'm proud of that. ' in many of the songs Consing to Oblivion, the fire of metal is linked here to the power of spherical arrangements inspired by scores.
Mark Jansen: "We have great admiration for people like Hans Zimmet and Danny Elftam. They are the main composers of the great Hollywood films of this era. The sound of Epica is a combination of sheet music and elements of metal and rock '.
It is also beautiful the way in which Simone Simons opens his soul and allows us to share their feelings of displacement and alignment of life a musician in the smoothed ballad Solitary Ground, the delicate redhead singer sings in Limburg Consign to Oblivion with a grace and conviction that only illuminates its appeal even more undeniable, also, her dramatic duet with Roy Khan, singer of Kamelot Vierges Threesomes, which was written for the film Joy ride, adds an extra dimension to the album for.
The title of the album Consing to Oblivion refers to the Mayan culture, culture has literally been consigned to oblivion in the history of mankind more times than we care to remember, and always will be new people who are interested in philosophies and parts of wisdom of the Mayan people. The fascination with the culture never cease, because the Mayan people disappeared from the face of the earth centuries many years ago, however, they left behind many prophecies, also about the times we live in. The longest cycle time system ends in 2012.
Growth to a higher dimension. Therefore, A New Age Dawns. The Mayan people did not leave behind a inequivocada what will happen after that date image, making this year acquire a certain magical character. I am convinced that anyone with an open mind can achieve growth to a new dimension. Just look at all the people who are committed to spirituality around this issue. As The Last Crusade, which is about the final convulsions of Christianity, and will soon be replaced by new forms of spirituality. O Another Me "~In Lackech 'about the Mayan perception that every wrong causes someone back to you like a boomerang.
What Mark says: 'You are another me. All people are interconnected. "
But there are also many other great songs about topics other than the culture. The singer Simone Simons' Force of the Shore is about people who are only concerned about their appearance and not the essence of life. People who hide their inner selves behind a mask.
And Quietus?
Simone: "That literally means Coup De Graff ¢ ce. The song is about the choices that life offers us. Sometimes they are choices of life and death. Everyone should think about the consequences of those actions, but are difficult at times. ' Dance of Fate wields a similar theme. Simone: "Some of us try to defy the consequences, but there is no way to avoid them '.
With all this spirituality in the lyrics, deberámos not lose sight of how neat, and irresistible quality is musically Epica Consing to Oblivion. The rhythm section (with Yves Huts on bass) joins pure power with flexibility, guitar rifts Mark Jansen and Ad Sluijter hitting sharp, while the keyboards of Coen Janssen stands out both in power and atmosphere. Moreover, we should not guttural voices of Mark, which contrast beautifully with the beautiful voice of soprano Simone.
In Consing to Oblivion Epica it is shown himself as an imposing and tight rocker machine almost Wagnerrano power, proving in all aspects why the group is counted in the forefront of the scene Gothic international metal in the category 'leading by a woman '. A glorious new album by a great group!
In October 2006 Jeroen Simosn drummer decides to leave the band. But this does not feed the band. After hundreds of shows in various cities around the world (including US, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, most European countries, Israel, Tunisia ..) this band to become a very good well oiled metal machine that is unstoppable.
In 2007 EPICA signed a new contract with Nuclear Blast records and is the year where we see the third release of Epica, their third full-length album 'The Divine Conspiracy'. "More" is the best word to define this album. More choirs, guitars, guttural, speed and songs.
'The Divine Conspiracy' is more guitar oriented. This time four guitar tracks were recorded instead of the usual two. Thanks to the skills of talented drummer of God Dethroned, Ariën van Weesenbeek, EPICA was possible to make faster and more complex songs .. As all his pitches, the music of this album brought a higher level by the dream team of the Gate Studios: Sascha Paeth, Amanda Somerville and Miro Rodenberg.
This new work is longer than 75 minutes the first conceptual album of epic. With the theory that, as a test, God created all kinds of different religions and released upon humanity to see if they could find the true nature of them. The question is whether humanity can see that all religions are basically the same. But there's more. The album concludes the concept of 'Embrace That Smothers' concept that can be found in the album 'The Phantom Agony', but started in the algum After Forever 'Prison Of Desire'. This seems only mount the conclusion of the concept with the appearance of vocalist After Forever, Sander Gommans. The circle to been closed, continuous day "|
In 2007 Simone suffers from a disease called MRSA therefore have to cancel twice the Latin American Tour.
In 2008 the study bateriasta 'The Divine Conspiracy', Ariën van Weesenbeek permanently binds to EPICA drummer base, which gives more power and energy to sound epic.
In the same year they made a tour in the US in which Simone's illness, the singer Amanda Somerville replaces Simone on that tour as Simone recovers. After a long rest Simone returns to EPICA and performs Latin American tour that was canceled last year, having a great success and visiting countries in South America for the first time (El Salvador, Ecuador).
In the same year gragan in Miskolc the show 'The Classical Conspiracy' in which mixed classical songs with EPICA songs with the help of the Miskolc Symphony Orchestra, the concert was recorded for DVD. Simone as a side project participates in the musical 'Balance' which was recorded in the same DVD.
At year-end Ad Sluijter decides to leave EPICA and that he felt pressured to create good music with the pressure now had for the success of the band, a few weeks after Isaad Delahaye is announced as the new guitarist of Epica, Isaac is the guitarist of God Dethroned and is well known to the members of the band.
The June 5, 2009 I went on sale the disc tribute to Heideroosjes, Ode & Tribute, which contains several covers of various bands of the Dutch music scene made the tribute to this band of punk rock. Epica participates in the disc with a cover of the song "Nothings Wrong".
Design Your Universe 2009
The October 16, 2009 went on sale the fourth studio album by the band, Design Your Universe. In an excerpt of an interview, Mark Jansen says the title of the new album, Design Your Universe.
"The title of the album," Design Your Universe ", is all new and great advances in quantum physics. This proves that we are all connected to the subatomic level. It also shows that we can create or at least influence matter with our thoughts ... a very interesting fact. Because it changes everything for us, our vision of the whole world collapses once you accept these facts and you integrate into your life. Then this dye to become the title of the new album. "
After the release of the previous album the band toured Europe. As support bands accompanied Amberian Dawn and Sons Of Seasons.
This album Unleashed single extracted. The October 17, 2009, Epica is presented in 7ª edition of the Metal Female Voices Fest VII in Belgium. Epica was one of the presentations header and made sure, by the band, which this presentation may end up being an upcoming DVD. Special guests were former guitarist Ad Sluijter and Floor Jansen, singer After Forever, with whom they played "Follow In The Cry" song of After Forever which was played as cover for Epica in his first concerts. The band also won first place in the category for "Best Show" and got their reward just before the 'encore' of their show.
The December 20, 2009, Simone Simons and Mark Jansen are invited to the second version of the Christmas Metal Symphony in Tilburg, Holland. In this festival they are also invited other musicians present in the metal scene as Cristina Scabbia, Mats Leven, Charlotte Wessels, Damian Wilson, George Oosthoek, among others.
Requiem For The Indifferent 2012
The day September 7, 2011 Epica started recording their new album that will be released on March 9, 2012 by the producer Sasha Paeth studies Gate7 The first to enter the study was Ariën Van Weesenbeek, recording the batteries and percussion in only 2 days. September 9, Isaac Delahaye enters record what will be the main guitars of the new album. Then came the turn of Yves, who recorded the bass parts from his home studio. October 14 begin the recordings of voices, starting with Mark and Arien and the respective Grunts and Scream, and then make way for recordings Simone Simons. October 17, Simons starts recordings of the voices for the new album, taking about two weeks to complete the process.
In an interview with the newspaper Clarín in Argentina Simone he spoke about the disc and said:
"Basically about death, or the new beginning of the indifferent people who are not aware of what is happening in society. It means they look like they are realizing the problems and no longer be indifferent, but united and fighting for a better world. In fact I think it's an album very Epica, but perhaps darker, catastrophic and melancholy, it's really dark. I think that has hope, but many songs have very dark feelings, Design Your Universe it was a little lighter , and the next paper we will try to bring back the feelings of Design .. "
On February 3, 2012, it was released the first single from the album, Storm the Sorrow, the video of the song was released on 24 Abril.39
Starting and new bassist Yves Huts
The March 24, 2012, Epica released a statement through its official website, announcing the departure of bassist Yves Huts, which according to him the reason why the band is leaving for other jobs proposals. In his personal statement Yves said:
"013 is the first place we gave our first concert with EPICA and almost a decade later, also my last. I left the band because he left me another opportunity for my career is not combinable with the calendar of the world tour of the band . I've tried to live two different lives simultaneously as long as I could but eventually I had to take one of the hardest decisions of my life. I look back at all these 10 years in EPICA and I see that they have met and enriched my experience life. As a founding member'm proud of what we have achieved so far and am convinced that the future will bring many good things for the band. "
Later the band announced his successor, Rob van der Loo (Mayan Ex Delain) as the new Epica bassist, Rob joined the band and a week later he was on tour with Epica.
In its statement with regard to joining Epica, Rob said:
"A few days ago talking with Yves and he reminded me of those days in which a band Epica was still support for one of my previous bands. At that time he had never said that nearly 10 years later I would be his successor in Epica ... Well, I do not ... but I'm very proud of that! He shared the stage with people of Epica for almost 10 years now, and become a member of Mayan last year made us even more united. Hence the decision to join Epica makes me feel good. Therefore I want to show my gratitude to the members of the band (including Yves) and the Epica team for having me in this family. "
Forevermore
Ruurd Woltring had a dream to record a song with Epica someday, thanks to a Dutch television program could fulfill his dream. This program called "Niks you gek" is responsible for fulfilling the dreams of people with disabilities mental.42 Epica has collaborated and recorded a song with Ruud entitled "Forevermore" 43 which was written by himself, episode he aired Holland on September 16.
Fans of the band accepted the song especially good considering that it is a very nice gesture on their part. A video was released where the band is Ruud in the recording studio.
Dance Acoustic Sessions
Epica involved in the compilation Acoustic Dance Sessions, which also involved artists of different genres doing acoustic versions of dance tracks. Epica recorded the "Happiness" version of Alexis Jordan for this album and was released on October 5 in iTunes. The song is characterized by a very soothing sound and has been well received, as the voice of Simone Simons is praised.
Retrospect
The band announced on their official website that the March 23, 2013, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Epica in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The concert which have called Retrospect, will be held in Klokgebouw with 70 elements symphony orchestra, choirs, international guests and many special effects. Especially for this show the band has invited the Hungarian Remenyi Ede Chamber Orchestra and choir of the National Theatre of Miskolc, the same orchestra that accompanied the recording Epica live album The Classical Conspiracy.
Tickets for the concert went on sale on September 15, 2012 at 10 AM. In less than a week, they had already sold more than 1,000 tickets. Retrospect later was officially announced by the band that had been exhausted.
In Retrospect fans they attended over 45 countries, which counted with the arrangements made by the band for those fans on hotels like Holiday Inn and Hotel Hampshire, to ensure the best possible price.
The concert consisted of 70 musicians of Symphony, special effects, acrobats, as guests were vocalist Floor Jansen and former members of the band: Ad Sluijter, Yves Huts and Jeroen Simons, the band also made a voting through networks social and the most voted for was a special guest artist Tarja Turunen, but according to Mark, Tarja wanted to participate but could not because it was a busy schedule of concerts and working on his next album. It also consisted of several costume changes by Simone Simons.
In the show the band performed a new song entitled "Retrospect" and first played the song longer The Divine Conspiracy
With the release of some official videos of the presentation they were uploaded to the official channel of the band's harsh criticism did not wait, especially referring to the mishandling of the lighting and singing ability Simons, yet the general reception has been good.
On the other hand critics Anita Boel Aardschok magazine named Retrospect "DVD of the Year". Before being launched worldwide, Retrospect was it exhibited in cinemas, 60 in the Netherlands was exhibited in Eindhoven, where also took place the show in the theater Service Bioscoop Zien this function was exhausted after the band appeared in newspapers the country, in Germany Retrospect was exhibited in the city of Munich in the room Mathäser Multiplex Kino, while Belgium was in the city of Kortrijk in the Kinepolis complex, while in Latin Retrospect only hit theaters in Mexico, in the Cineteca Nacional Mexico City tickets were not sold that role if they were drawn not by decision of the Dilemma producer.
New album 'The Quantum Enigma' (2014)
The band announced on their official website that their new album would be launched in April 2014. October 21 announced that the recordings had begun, the drummer of the band Arien was the first to enter the study Sandlane Recording Facilities in the Netherlands by the producer Joost van de Broek. According to statements by Mark Jansen, the disc would have:
"Some old influences of our early work, some references Album Design Your Universe and some new elements."
On January 27 it was announced that the recordings for the new album was completed, April 30 will be held the album release show in the city of Tilburg in the Netherlands, "Poppudium 013" and will have to support the Finnish band Insomnium.
02/17/14 Mark Jansen said these words:
"I've listened to our new album and I can not get enough! It sounds more modern, but retains all the typical elements of Epica. Cooling may be the right description. This album is the result of a real team performance. It was nice to see the creation of our best work! Everyone motivated
Although the loudest sound (guitars, bass and drums sound so cheeky!), Still a very catchy piece. You can hear the influences of our previous work, some refer to Design Your Universe, and a number of new elements.
