Epica (band)

"Sahara Dust" redirects here. For the atmospheric phenomenon, see Mineral dust.

Epica
Epica performing at the 2022 3-Majówka festival in Wrocław, Poland
Epica performing at the 2022 3-Majówka festival in Wrocław, Poland
Background information
Also known asSahara Dust (2002)
OriginReuver, Limburg, Netherlands
GenresSymphonic metal
Years active2002–present
LabelsTransmission, Nuclear Blast, Atomic Fire
Spinoff ofAfter Forever
MembersMark Jansen
Coen Janssen
Simone Simons
Ariën van Weesenbeek
Isaac Delahaye
Rob van der Loo
Past membersYves Huts
Ad Sluijter
Helena Michaelsen
Jeroen Simons
Websiteepica.nl

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

Formed as a symphonic metal band with gothic tendencies, later Epica have incorporated into their sound strong death metal influences.[1][2][3] Starting from the third album, progressive metal influences have also become evident.[1][4][5] In addition, the band often uses thrash metal and groove metal riffs, black metal passages (mostly in the drum technique), power metal moments and references to Arabic music.[6][7][8][9][10] Some songs also have electronic shades, djent transitions and folk metal melodies derived from Middle Eastern, Chinese and Celtic traditions.[11] Epica is also known for the attention to the vocal lines that, in contrast to the heavy context, weave very catchy, easy to hold, sophisticated and emotional melodies.[12][13] The use of soprano vocals and growled vocals, performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen respectively, is fundamental to the band's sound. They primarily write their own lyrics, which often deal with philosophical, psychological, spiritual, moral, scientific, environmental, socio-political, global and topical and personal themes. Epica is also known for their wide use of orchestra and opera choirs.

In 2003, Epica's debut album The Phantom Agony was released through Transmission Records. Consign to Oblivion followed in 2005, and debuted at No. 12 in the Dutch charts. They moved labels to Nuclear Blast following Transmission's bankruptcy, and in 2007, released their third studio album The Divine Conspiracy, which charted at No. 9 in the Netherlands. 2009's Design Your Universe was met with yet greater success, debuting at No. 8 in the Dutch Albums Chart, and charting across Europe, also garnering much critical acclaim. Epica's fifth studio album Requiem for the Indifferent was released in 2012. Well received by critics, it achieved international success, entering the US's Billboard 200 at No. 104, and Japan's Oricon Albums Chart at No. 172.[14]

At the beginning of May 2014 the band released their sixth album, The Quantum Enigma, which was a huge international success, debuting on No. 110 on US Billboard 200 and peaking at No. 4 in Epica's homeland Netherlands.[15][16][17] In June 2015 Epica was awarded the Music Export Awards, which is given to the Dutch act with the most international success in the past year.[18] Their seventh album, The Holographic Principle, was released in September 2016 to continued international success, equalling the peak chart position set by its predecessor in the Netherlands.[19] The band released their eighth album, Omega, in February 2021.

  1. ^ a b Della Cioppa, Gianni (2010). Heavy metal: i contemporanei.
  2. ^ "Crítica del CD de EPICA - The Quantum Enigma". Rafabasa.com. 22 April 2014.
  3. ^ "Epica - The Quantum Enigma - Chronique - La Grosse Radio Metal - Ecouter du Metal - Webzine Metal". Lagrosseradio.com. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference musicaldiscoveries was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Epica – The Quantum Enigma | Ashladan". Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Epica - The Quantum Enigma | ThisIsNotAScene". Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Recensione di "Requiem for the Indifferent" su Metal Underground".
  8. ^ MetalItalia.com, ed. (28 July 2016). "Epica: il nuovo album "The Holographic Principle" traccia per traccia e intervista a Simone Simons!".
  9. ^ BMS Soc. coop., ed. (8 July 2016). "Epica: The Holographic Principle (listening session)". MyRock. p. 5.
  10. ^ "Epica – The Holographic". 10 August 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  11. ^ TrueMetal.it, ed. (27 May 2014). "Epica (Mark Jansen & Simone Simons)".
  12. ^ "Epica – Zuviel gibt es für Epica nicht: Die Listening-Session zu "The Holographic Principle"". Metal.de. 7 August 2016.
  13. ^ Spark TV: Epica – interview with Mark Jansen about upcoming new album "The Holographic Principle" on YouTube
  14. ^ "Requiem for the Indifferent – Chart positions / News / Epica". Epica.nl. 21 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  15. ^ "Epica – 'The Quantum Enigma' – Cover Art, Release Date + Tracklisting Revealed – Epica Official Website". Epica.nl.
  16. ^ "Epica". Billboard.com.
  17. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Epica – The Phantom Agony". Dutchcharts.nl.
  18. ^ "Epica Receives Dutch Music Export Award! – Epica Official Website". Epica.nl.
  19. ^ "Epica on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 3 June 2016.