Articles
- ***GOTHIC METAL a link between metal and gothic
- ***SPEED and TRASH: agressive evolution of Heavy Metal
- ***ENCYCLOPEDIA
- ***HEAVY METAL: Second wave or The new masters of the 80's
- ***AOR (glam and sleaze): the MTV's gods in the USA of the 80's/90's
- ***DEATH and BLACK: 2 extremes evolutions of Trash
- ***HARD ROCK: the fathers and the icons since the 70's
- ***POWER/ SYMPHONIC/ PROGRESSIVE METAL: Third wave of metal in Europe of the 90's/00's
- ***INTERVIEWS
- *** "INCLASSABLES" You can't miss!
- ***VISUAL KEY: japan metal
- Tous les articles
Statistiques
- Total : 5339 visiteurs
- Aujourd'hui : 93 visites
- En ce moment : 1 visiteur
- Mis à jour le 26-06-2008
- Créé le 00-00-0000
EPICA
Epica are a Dutch symphonic metal band which puts emphasis on the use of operatic elements and death grunts, also performing some song passages in Latin. The band was founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever.
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, 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. The name was later 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 upright bass) to play along with them. Their debut album, The Phantom Agony, was produced by Sascha Paeth (known for having 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, which can be noticed on songs in the "A New Age Dawns" series. "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, to which Simone had contributed her vocals on the track "The Haunting (Somewhere In Time)".
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".
In 2005 and 2006 Epica went on their first tour throughout 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 fall 2006, Simone once again contributed vocals to Kamelot's new album "Ghost Opera", this time on the track "Blücher". In December Ariën Van Weesenbeek from God Dethroned was announced at the official website of the band to be the drummer for their new album.
In September of 2007, Epica headlined their first tour through North America and released their latest album, The Divine Conspiracy, this time on a new label, Nuclear Blast. That December, Ariën Van Weesenbeek was announced to be Epica's permanent new drummer.
They will once again tour North America in April 2008, with Into Eternity and Symphony X,this time with Amanda Somerville due to Simone suffering from MRSA.
Line-up
Simone Simons - mezzo-soprano vocals
Mark Jansen - guitar and grunts/screams
Ad Sluijter - guitar
Yves Huts - bass guitar
Coen Janssen - synthesizer and piano
Ariën Van Weesenbeek - drums
Past members
Jeroen Simons - drums
Session members
Ariën Van Weesenbeek - drums (The Divine Conspiracy and for Epica live in 2007, select dates). Joined as a full-time member of the band in late 2007.
Koen Herfst - drums (For Epica live in 2007)
Studio albums
2003: The Phantom Agony
2005: Consign to Oblivion
2005: The Score - An Epic Journey
2007: The Divine Conspiracy
Article ajouté le 2008-02-09 , consulté 16 fois
Commentaires
Liens
Voir les articles de la catégorie " ***POWER/ SYMPHONIC/ PROGRESSIVE METAL: Third wave of metal in Europe of the 90's/00's "Retour aux articles
Design by Kulko et krek : kits graphiques