EPICA.

 

Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever.

Epica performs a blend of progressive metal gothic metal and symphonic metal.Another component of Epica's style is power metal, their former guitarist Ad Sluijter having described the band as "a bridge between power metal and gothic metal. Vocalist Simone Simons has expressed a preference for the group to be described as symphonic metal though the founder of the group Mark Jansen notes that they do not mind being called gothic metal.
The music of Epica is aggressive, bombastic and excessive with some songs being "epic, grand and majestic" and others "more subdued and introspective. The band is also known to have progressive tendencies while a gothic atmosphere and sentimentality is also present in their music.

Line-up:

Simone Simons – mezzo-soprano vocals
Mark Jansen – rhythm guitar, grunts, screams
Isaac Delahaye – lead guitar
Yves Huts – bass guitar
Coen Janssen – synthesizer, piano
Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums, grunts, spoken words
Former members:
Helena Iren Michaelsen – soprano vocals (2002 – 2003)
Jeroen Simons – drums (2002 – 2006)
Ad Sluijter – guitar (2002 – 2008)
Session members:
Koen Herfst drums (For Epica live in 2007)
Amanda Somerville – vocals (Live for 2008 USA tour) and background vocals on "The Phantom Agony", "Consign to Oblivion", "The Divine Conspiracy", and "Design Your Universe".
Discography
2003: The Phantom Agony
2005: Consign to Oblivion
2007: The Divine Conspiracy
2009: Design Your Universe
The Classical Conspiracy - Live in Miskolc, Hungary
2012: Requiem for the Indifferent
Simone Simons (Vocals)
Mark Jansen (Guitars, grunts & screams)
Isaac Delahaye (Guitars)
Coen Janssen (Synths and Piano)
Yves Huts (Bass guitar)
Ariën van Weesenbeek (Drums)

Solo/ Session: Simone Simonds; Aina ('03), Kamelot [Blücher (Ghost Opera, 2007), The Haunting (The Black Halo, 2005)], Primal Fear ('07), Ayreon ('08), Equilibrio ('08 live, '09 dvd) Xystus, Sons of Seasons ('09). Ailyn ('09 http://www.myspace.com/luzailynmusic).
The band is on tour, please check out their MySpacePage for more info.

Former members of EPICA, DELAIN and AFTER FOREVER have joined forces in a brand new band called HANGOVER HERO. The Holland-based group recently completed a promotional recording at the Gate Studio (AVANTASIA, EPICA, KAMELOT) in Wolfsburg, Germany with Sascha Paeth and is currently seeking a label home. One of the songs that were laid down during the session, "Play In Band", is available for streaming below.
HANGOVER HERO is:

Ronald Landa (ex-DELAIN): Vocals, Guitar
Ad Sluijter (ex-EPICA): Guitar
Andre Borgman (ex-AFTER FOREVER): Drums
Mats van der Valk (AUTUMN): Bass

www.myspace.com/epica
myspace.com/simone_simons

 

 

 

Symfo-Index.