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Epica
On Tour135,332 listeners (5,509,459 plays)
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symphonic metal, gothic metal, female fronted metal, metal, female vocalists… see all
The Netherlands (2003 – present)
Epica is a symphonic metal band from The Netherlands, founded in 2003 by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. The band currently consists of Simone Simons (vocals), Mark Jansen (guitars, grunts, screams), Ad Sluijter (guitars), Yves Huts (bass), Coen Janssen (keyboards, synthesizer), and Ariën van Weesenbeek (drums).
In early 2002, Mark Jansen left After Forever due to creative differences and began looking for musicians to integrate a new musical project, initially named Sahara Dust. In late 2002, the band courted Helena Iren Michaelsen (former vocalist of Trail of Tears and current vocalist of Imperia) as its frontwoman, but shortly after she was replaced by the then unknown mezzo-soprano singer 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. Their name was changed to Epica, inspired by Kamelot’s album, “Epica”.
Epica then assembled a choir (made up of two men and six women) and a string orchestra (three violins, two violas, two cellos, and a double bass) to play along with them. Their debut album, The Phantom Agony, was produced by Sascha Paeth (known for having previously produced albums for bands such as Angra, Rhapsody of Fire, and Kamelot) and was released in late 2003.
In early 2002, Mark Jansen left After Forever due to creative differences and began looking for musicians to integrate a new musical project, initially named Sahara Dust. In late 2002, the band courted Helena Iren Michaelsen (former vocalist of Trail of Tears and current vocalist of Imperia) as its frontwoman, but shortly after she was replaced by the then unknown mezzo-soprano singer 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. Their name was changed to Epica, inspired by Kamelot’s album, “Epica”.
Epica then assembled a choir (made up of two men and six women) and a string orchestra (three violins, two violas, two cellos, and a double bass) to play along with them. Their debut album, The Phantom Agony, was produced by Sascha Paeth (known for having previously produced albums for bands such as Angra, Rhapsody of Fire, and Kamelot) and was released in late 2003.
Similar Artists
After Forever, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Tristania, Xandria, Sirenia, Leaves' Eyes… see all
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Shoutbox
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Lance_Taging wrote:
Thanks poo-bear....
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Layinginblack wrote:
Even though I'm not a huge fan of her voice I have to agree with Lance_Taging.
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Lance_Taging wrote:
Simone sounds the best on Consign to Oblivion and The Divine Conspiracy.
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ratts36 wrote:
The Phantom Agony is their best album, IMHO. Simone's voice is just perfect, though. Nothing to argue on.
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DIANACS wrote:
Y VIENEN A COLOMBIA Q MILAGRO, YO QUISIERA PODER IR, PERO SIEMPRE VA ES A BOGOTA.
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armorxforxsheep wrote:
Yes... the four main albums are fantastic in every single way. You do need them. :D And then once you start adoring them, you need to pick up The Road to Paradiso. :)
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FollowTheMedia wrote:
OH MY... I have to buy their albums!
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francheska28 wrote:
armorxforxsheep Believe me it could get vicious. I know we are just stating our thoughs. But just in case. How about we maintain the peace. Once we compare 2 bands some idiot is going to say something rude about one of the bands and that is how it escalates. Just saying.
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Mes_Que_Un_Club wrote:
@armorxforxsheep: I agree with @Layinginblack, you should definitely hear AF's Decipher (IMO their best)...and Prison of Desire, too! @haushi: it's because Score has much more tracks than Phantom... :)
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haushi wrote:
The score has more listeners than the Phantom Agony album? =/
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supersexy_jesus wrote:
Amazing vocals.
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Layinginblack wrote:
You definitely need to hear Af's album Decipher!
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eranoturnaangel wrote:
epica não e bom e espetacular
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armorxforxsheep wrote:
It's not a debate; that would require something controversial. It's just fans talking about bands.
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francheska28 wrote:
Oh, man is this goign to turn to a AF and Epica debate? Both bands are amazing. I think AF are imo heavier.
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armorxforxsheep wrote:
I've only heard Invisible Circles and After Forever, so maybe I am missing the heavier side of AF.
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Kinny89 wrote:
armorxforxsheep, I don't think so. After Forever are heavier in my opinion, they emphasize the guitars and grunts, at least on their album "Invisible Circles". Sure, there are also some hard Epica songs like Consign to Oblivion (which maybe wasn't the best example since the guitars are quite quiet and too much in the background) and Death of a Dream or something like that, and those are heavier than for example After Forever's Energize me, so you see, both bands have some really heavy songs and some soft ones, but I think the heavy songs of AF prevail ;)
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paka1987 wrote:
I hope there will be even more grunts in the next album :)
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darkgobblin wrote:
armorxforxsheep much heavier oO? no it isn't! And After Forever is better in the symphonic department IMO. And yeah latest releases of AF are nothing like TDC or Seclusion
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Mes_Que_Un_Club wrote:
Epica has a unique style and so does Penumbra which couldn't be said about latest AF releases!
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Events
- Aug 21 Epica no Brasil - Vila Velha Ginásio do Colégio Marista, Vila Velha, Brazil
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Aug
30
Epica
P60, Amstelveen, Netherlands
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Sep
4
Epica live Café Iguana
Café Iguana, Monterrey, Mexico
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| 17 attendees
Recent Activity
- Alnightroad added Epica to Alnightroad’s library. 1 hour ago
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- mattaaba tagged Epica with ‘gothic metal’. 8 hours ago
- Fonzi11111 tagged Epica with ‘metal’. 8 hours ago
- Navesrising connected Epica to the group Avalanch. 9 hours ago
- Battlemetal08 added Epica to Battlemetal08’s library. 9 hours ago
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Groups (292)
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Nemesea
163 members
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Simone Simons Fan
340 members
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Lunatica Fans
160 members
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Epica
1,138 members
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Femme Metal
684 members
More Information
- Links
- Band Members
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- Ad Sluijter (2003 - present)
- Coen Janssen (2003 - present)
- Jeroen Simons (2003 - 2006)
- Mark Jansen (2003 - present)
- Simone Simons (2003 - present)
- Yves Huts (2003 - present)
- Labels
