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Country	Netherlands
Years active	2003-present
Genres	Symphonic Metal
Labels	Transmission Records British Plastic Head Distributions Ltd.
Members	Simone Simons Mark Jansen Ad Sluijter Yves Huts Coen Janssen Ariën Van Weesenbeek

Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band which puts emphasis on the use of operatic elements and death grunts, also performing some song passages in Latin. It was founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever.

Contents 1 Biography 2 Line-up 2.1 Past members 2.2 Session members 3 Discography 3.1 Albums 3.2 Singles 3.3 DVDs 3.4 Other releases 4 Notes 5 External links 5.1 Official websites 5.2 Epica at online databases

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 Michaelsen (from Trail of Tears) as its frontwoman, but shortly after she was replaced by the then unknown mezzo-soprano Simone Simons, girlfriend of Jansen. 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 six 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 bands such as Angra, Rhapsody of Fire and Kamelot) and was released in late 2003.

Their second release, entitled Consign to Oblivion, was influenced by the culture of the Maya civilization, a fact which can be noticed, for example, on songs which integrate the "A New Age Dawns" arch. "A New Age Dawns" refers to the time system of the Mayan people, which extends up to the year of 2012, and makes no reference of what may happen past said year. Consign to Oblivion was composed with film scores as a basis, with Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman being cited as major inspirations. The album features guest singing by Roy Khan (from Kamelot) on the song "Trois Vierges". Epica also joined Kamelot as a support band on parts of their tour for promotion of the The Black Halo album, and the band's performance in Rockefeller Music Hall, Oslo will also be featured on Kamelot's live DVD that is set to be released in 2006.

Epica's The Score - An Epic Journey was released in September 2005 and is the soundtrack for a Dutch movie called Joyride, though it can also be seen as their third album. Characterised by guitarist, Mark Jansen, the album is "Typically Epica. Only without the singing, without the guitars, no bass and no drums".^[1]

In 2005 and 2006 Epica went on their first tour through North America with Kamelot. After the tour, their drummer, Jeroen Simons, left the band, due to his wish to pursue his other musical interests. In December Ariën Van Weesenbeek was announced at the official website of the band to be the drummer for their new album.

In September of 2007, Epica will for the first time be the head liners of their next North America tour. It will also see the release of their latest commercial album, which they began recording in late 2006.

• Simone Simons - Mezzo-soprano vocals
• Mark Jansen - Guitar and grunts/screams
• Ad Sluijter - Guitar
• Yves Huts - Bass
• Coen Janssen - Synthesizer and piano

• Jeroen Simons - Drums

• Ariën Van Weesenbeek - Drums (Epica's 2007 album)
• Koen Herfst - Drums (For Epica live in 2007)

• The Phantom Agony (2003)
• Consign to Oblivion (2005)
• The Score - An Epic Journey (2005)

• The Phantom Agony (Single, 2003)
• Feint (Single, 2004)
• Cry for the Moon (Single, 2004)
• Solitary Ground (Single, 2005)
• Quietus (Silent Reverie) (Single, 2005)

• We Will Take You With Us (DVD, 2004)

• Cry for the Moon (Demo, 2003)
• The Road to Paradiso (Photo sound book, 2006)

• Epica's official website
• Epica's official fan club

• Epica at MySpace
• Epica at MusicBrainz
• Epica at Last.fm
• Epica at Discogs
• Epica at Encyclopaedia Metallum