Photo by: www.noorderslag.nl
|
|
| If you like Epica, check out these indie music artists |
|
 |
|
Dremora |
|
|
Artist Mission: Dremora is dedicated to providing a fresh original perspective to...
|
|
 |
|
Iris |
|
|
Artist Mission: Mission statement not provided...
|
|
If you like Epica, check out these professional music artists
Disturbed, Cannibal Corpse, KISS, Linkin Park, Blue Oyster Cult, Incubus, Judas Priest, Korn, Flaw, Black Sabbath, Godsmack, Alice Cooper, Haggard, Amorphis, D-A-D, Dokken, Galactic Cowboys, George Lynch, Limp Bizkit, Fear FactoryMore Metal Music...
|
|
|
|
Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever.
HistoryCry for the Moon (2002–2003)In early 2002, Mark Jansen was fired from After Forever due to 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, 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 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 2003. As a result, they were signed to Transmission Records.
The Phantom Agony (2003–2004)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 by Tony Blair.
The album was followed by three singles: "The Phantom Agony", "Feint" and "Cry for the Moon".
Consign to Oblivion / The Score (2005–2007)Their second release, entitled Consign to Oblivion, was influenced by the culture of the Mayan 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 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 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 on Epica's official website as the guest drummer for their new album, but not a permanent band member.
The Divine Conspiracy (2007–present)In September 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. 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 16 December 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. The band has announced they will be keeping fans up to date on his successor.
Style is a feature of Epica's music.
Epica's performs a blend of progressive metal, gothic metal,[title=The Divine Conspiracy Review ] and symphonic metal.[title=The Phantom Agony Review ][url=www.metalreview.com/4074/Epica-The-Divine-Conspiracy.aspx ] Another component of Epica's style is power metal
The music of Epica is aggressive, bombastic and excessive[title=Consign to Oblivion Review ] 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."
Line-up- Simone Simons - mezzo-soprano vocals
- Mark Jansen - guitar, grunts, screams
- Yves Huts - bass guitar
- Coen Janssen - synthesizer, piano
- Ariën Van Weesenbeek - drums
Past members- Jeroen Simons - drums
- Helena Iren Michaelsen - vocals
- Ad Sluijter - guitar (2002 - 2008)
Session members- Koen Herfst - drums (For Epica live in 2007)
- Amanda Somerville - vocals (Live for 2008 USA tour) and some background vocals on the studio albums.
DiscographyDemosStudio 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"
- 2008: "Chasing the Dragon"
Compilations- 2006: The Road to Paradiso
DVDs- 2004: We Will Take You with Us
Music Videos- 2003: "The Phantom Agony"
- 2004: "Feint"
- 2005: "Solitary Ground"
- 2005: "Quietus"
- 2007: "Never Enough"
Copyright Citations
This article is licensed under the GNU License
Click here for original article: Epica
|
|
![After Forever - After Forever [Bonus DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MMx%2B6sKYL._SL75_.jpg)
