Epica's Biography

Subject: Epica's Biography Mon Aug 09, 2010 11:25 pm

Meet the Dutch symphonic metal band - Epica

Quote :: The origin of Epica reaches the year 2002 when Mark Jansen has left his previous band After Forever. The band, at that time under the name of Sahara Dust, was completed by Ad Sluijter on guitar, Yves Huts on bass guitar, Jeroen Simons on drums and by keyboard player Coen Janssen. Front woman Helena Michaelsen was pretty fast replaced by the mezzo-soprano singer Simone Simons.
Soon the band name has been changed to Epica, inspired by Kamelot's album titled not else but Epica itself.
In 2003 the band released their first album "The Phantom Agony". This beautiful piece of music seemed the best debut they could have imagined. Epica toured a lot at that time gaining new fans every day. In 2004 the band got the well deserved Essent Award.
2005 brought us second album "Consign to Oblivion" featuring Roy Khan from Kamelot as a guest singer. In the same year "The Score - An Epic Journey" has been released. It's a non-metal soundtrack the band recorded for a Dutch movie called Joyride. By the end of 2005 Epica went on their first North America tour as Kamelot's support. After this tour, Jeroen Simons decided to left the band because of the musical differences. He was replaced by Arien van Weesenbeek as a guest drummer for their new album.
And so then in 2007 comes out the third Epica album titled "The Divine Conspiracy" signed by a new record label Nuclear Blast. It's also the band's first concept album. At the end of 2007 Arien has been announced as Epica's permanent member. This year Epica also did their first headline tour in North America. In December 2008 Ad Sluijter decided to left the band and shortly after it's been announced that Isaac Delahaye is going to replace him.
In May 2008 the band recorded their first live album "The Classical Conspiracy". It was a special show held in Miskolc, Hungary, featuring live orchestra and choir. The setlist of the show contained not only band's own songs but also covers of classical pieces and movie scores.
In October 2009 Epica released their latest album "Design Your Universe". You can cleary hear the influence of the new members Arien and Isaac as the new album is even more aggressive, powerful and bombastic. Considered their break-through album, Design Your Universe debuted in #8 in the Dutch charts. To promote the album Epica went on a tour throughout the world, including South and North America. Right now they prepare themselves for the second leg of European and North America tour.