Metal Mayhem's Top 100 Bands of All-Time, 25: Epica

25. Epica

Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band that formed in 2002 by former guitarist/singer of After Forever Mark Jansen. Epica also includes lead singer Simone Simons, pianist Coen Jannsen, lead guitarist Isaac Delahaye, drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek, and bassist Rob van der Loo.

Stylistically, the band combines the clean vocals of Simons with the deathly growls and screams of Jansen. This creates the illusion of tension within the vocals that are quite gripping, but it also creates a sense of balance of beauty versus perverse. What makes Epica the premier symphonic metal band in Europe, is the vocals of Simone Simons. I think that the only symphonic metal band with a better singer is probably Amy Lee of Evanescence.

Musically, the band combines aspects of symphonic metal, progressive metal, gothic metal, and power metal.  I think that symphonic metal is probably the best sub-genre for Epica despite the band's involvement in other aspects of metal.

Epica has released five exceptional studio albums: The Phantom Agony (2003), Consign to Oblivion (2005), The Divine Conspiracy (2007), Design Your Universe (2009), and Requiem for the Indifferent (2012). I would recommend each of these albums to any music enthusiast, but if I were to start with one Epica album, I would choose The Divine Conspiracy mainly because it is the band's first and best concept album. It follows the idea that God created many different religions in order for humanity to weed through them and determine that they are all the same, hence "The Divine Conspiracy." Cool album! Great band!

Here is "The Phantom Agony."

and "Chasing the Dragon."

and "Unleashed."

and, last but not least, "Storm the Sorrow."

Thanks for reading!
Marty