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Epica

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band. Guitarist and singer Mark Jansen started the group in 2002, after leaving After Forever at the age of 23. He was looking for musicians for a classical and symphonic project, at first called Sahara Dust. Simone Simons became the singer, and the name Epica came from an album by the band Kamelot. With a choir and a small string orchestra the group made a two-song demo in 2002, Cry for the Moon, which led to a record contract.

Music and breakthrough

The debut album The Phantom Agony appeared in 2003 and produced the single Cry for the Moon. Among the albums that followed were Consign to Oblivion (2005), for which film composers such as Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman were an inspiration, The Divine Conspiracy (2007), Design Your Universe (2009) and The Quantum Enigma (2014). Epica's sound revolves around contrasts: Simons's classical-sounding soprano against Jansen's grunts, and heavy metal guitars against orchestral parts and operatic choirs. Later, influences from death metal, progressive metal and Arabic music were added. The lyrics often deal with philosophy, religion, science and politics.

Influence

Epica became one of the Dutch bands with the most success abroad. In 2015 the group received the Music Export Award, the prize for the Dutch act that had performed best internationally the year before. Together with Within Temptation, Epica shows that the Netherlands has a strong place in symphonic metal.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Cry for the Moon and notice how the clear, classical-sounding vocals of Simone Simons, the choir and the strings relate to the heavy guitars and drums.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsSymphonic metal