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Epica - Announce New Guitarist

Dutch metallers Epica have issued the following update:

"We are proud and very happy to announce that we have found a new guitarist to replace Ad as a fulltime member of Epica. We would like to introduce Isaac Delahaye as the newest Epica-member."

The band adds: "Isaac is no stranger to the band since he already replaced Ad once at a gig in France back in 2003. He also worked with Coen , Yves and Arien on "Project SiC" in 2006, but the most of you will know him from his work with God Dethroned in which he also worked with Arien. Isaac is an enormously talented and skilled musician and we think he is the ideal person to fill up Ad's spot and to make Epica's line-up strong and complete again."

Isaac stated: "It's an honour to join my friends in Epica and an offer I simply couldn't refuse. I've been following the band closely from the beginning, and it was great to see them growing into a leading band within the scene. I want to express my gratitude to the whole Epica-crew (including Ad) for the confidence they put in me, and I'm totally ready to rock out on stage and to help creating some great music in the future."

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Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 16.01.2009 by White Winter Sun | Comments (9)


Epica - Guitarist Calls It Quits

Epica announced the following on their MySpace page:

"We are sad to announce that Ad Sluijter has decided to part ways with Epica. Ad is a founding member of Epica and has been of great value to the band. We would like to use this opportunity to thank Ad for his everlasting devotion for Epica! On Ad's MySpace you can read a personal statement. We will never forget all the reat moments we have shared together and wish Ad the very best for the future! We hope to be able to announce Ad's successor soon and keep you updated on that."

Here's a small extract from what Ad had to say concerning his decision to leave: "Because of the busy tour schedule and the lack of time to work on new material as a result, I found myself more and more in a situation where I felt like I had to compose instead of wanting to compose. I don't consider myself a great song writer. I really need to spend a lot of time and put a lot of effort into it before I am anywhere near to being satisfied with the result. And being the perfectionist that I am, it was just getting more and more frustrating not having the time to do so and therefore not being able to achieve the best possible result. Because of this I simply lost the fun I usually had when composing, and this was for me a clear sign that I had to change something.

After much consideration I have come to the conclusion that the only change I needed to make was to leave the group. This isn't a decision I wanted to make, but one I needed to make."

Read the whole statement here.

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Source: blog.myspace.com
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 17.12.2008 by ArtiA | Comments (16)


Epica - Vocalist Forced To Sit Out N. American Tour, Replacement Announced

Dutch metallers Epica have announced the following statement on their website:

The extra weeks of rest, as a result of the cancellation of most of this month's shows, have helped Simone a lot in recovering from her MRSA infection. Three out of the four aspects in her latest test already showed negative, which is a major step forward! Unfortunately this also means that one of these still showed positive. As optimistic as we may be about these final test results, we just cannot risk her health by having her go on tour this soon already.

We have come a great way already and we must continue this way to overcome this. Therefore we have decided to ask our good friend Amanda Somerville to substitute Simone on our upcoming USA tour. As you all know, Amanda has been involved with Epica from the beginning as a vocal coach and can also be heard on every album as backing vocalist as well as part of our choir. We are very happy that Amanda is willing to help us out on this and we are most positive that these extra weeks of rest will give Simone enough time to fully recover from this infection so that she can join us on stage again during our Dutch club shows.

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Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Event: Symphony X + Epica: N. American Tour
Posted: 23.03.2008 by Bararey | Comments (19)


Epica - Mexican And Colombian Tour Cancelled

Dutch metallers Epica have posted the following update on their website:

After having had a couple of weeks of rest we were very much hoping that Simone's situation would have improved already. Unfortunately the last MRSA test was still positive and also the infections still haven't stopped completely. We have the feeling Simone's health is improving but unfortunately not enough yet. We cannot risk the health of Simone and therefore, with pain in our hearts, we cannot come to Mexico and Colombia again. Also two of our three shows in the UK are cancelled for this reason. It's still impossible for Simone to make long trips. As you can imagine we feel really bad about this, especially since our Mexican/Colombian tour was already postponed once before, but we also hope you understand and respect our decision on this. You all have our word that we will come back as soon as possible to make up for all this. Unfortunately at this moment we just can't tell when this will be but we hope before the end of this year.

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Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Event: Epica: Mexican And Colombian Tour [CANCELLED]
Posted: 01.03.2008 by Bararey | Comments (15)


Epica - Simone Infected With MRSA

Dear Epica fans,

Since a couple of months I have been struggling with infections and had surgery many times. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with me. After a lot of tests at the hospital they found out that I am infected with MRSA, also known as the hospital bacteria. The treatment of this bacteria comes with a strict hygienic schedule that I have to work through every day. Because of this I will not be able to go on long trips let alone live in a tour bus. Therefore we are forced to cancel most of our shows in February. The shows on the 22nd and 23rd in Lille and Vosselaar we will still do since they are independent shows and very close by. We cannot plan too far ahead since I first have to get rid of the infection and that will take some time. How long it will take we cannot tell at the moment.

We are very sorry that we cannot do these shows. We were all looking forward to this tour and to meet you guys. What I have to focus on now is getting well, so that we will be on the road again as soon as possible. Please check out our site every once in a while for more information on this matter.

Simone and Epica

Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 11.01.2008 by Jason W. | Comments (33)


Epica - Will Perform A Classical Show

The Miskolc International Opera Festival proudly announces that Epica will be performing a classical show with symphonic orchestra and choir.

The "Epica: The Classical Conspiracy Show" is going to be a very unique event, because the Dutch symphonic-metal band will play a very specific musical program. They will perform classical pieces from Mozart, Dvorak, Verdi, Orff, Prokofiev, Grieg, Vivaldi in Epica's style and of course symphonic versions of Epica songs. Some Epica songs will be rewritten - to make it more bombastic - only for this event. Moreover there will be other surprises as well.

The Epica classical show is going to start on 14.06.2008 at 21:00.

Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Event: Epica: The Classical Conspiracy Show
Posted: 04.01.2008 by Unknown user | Comments (15)


Epica - Mexican/Colombian Tour Postponed

Dutch symphonic metal outfit Epica have postponed their previously announced tour through Mexico and Colombia scheduled to start tomorrow due to an illness suffered by lead singer Simone Simons. A video message by band members Mark Jansen and Ad Sluijter about the postponement can be found here. The affected dates are as follows:

29.11.2007 - MEX, Mexico City
30.11.2007 - MEX, Guadalajara
01.12.2007 - MEX, Monterrey
05.12.2007 - COL, Bogota
07.12.2007 - MEX, Puebla
08.12.2007 - MEX, San Luis Potosi
09.12.2007 - MEX, Mexico City

Simone Simons' illness has already forced the band to play their latest gig on November 26 in Amsterdam, Holland without her as lead singer which therefore consisted of "mostly grunt oriented songs".

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Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 28.11.2007 by Promonex | Comments (6)


Epica - Mark Jansen Raises 3800 Euros For WWF

As stated in earlier news, Mark Jansen took part in the benefit bicyle marathon La Marmotte to raise money for the Amazon to save the jaguar.

The following is from the band's site:
We are very proud to announce that Mark finished his benefit cycle marathon the Marmotte. The ride of 174 km took him an astonishing 12 hours and according to Mark this was the heaviest ride he ever did. How much he raised for the WWF exactly has to be calculated now, but we hope to announce it soon!

Mark wants to thank everybody who has sponsored him. Without your faith this wouldn't have been possible!

WWF calculated how much Mark raised and it turned out to be... 3800 euros.

So once again, Mark wants to thank everyone who sponsored him.

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Band profile: Epica
Posted: 20.07.2007 by Marcel Hubregtse | Comments (7)


Epica - Mark Jansen To Raise Money For World Wide Fund For Nature

On Saturday the 7th of July this year (07-07-07), Mark Jansen, guitarist of Epica, will ride the Marmotte for the benefit of the World Wide Fund for Nature. The Marmotte is a French one-day cycle marathon of 174 km. Despite the fact that this marathon is not very well known to most Dutch people, it is one of the most renowned among the fanatic cyclists. This competitive journey can be compared to a heavy tour leg in the Alps. The ride involves 4 mountain passes, of which 3 are considered hors category (toughest mountains) in the Tour de France.

The marathon will involve the next mountains: Col de la Croix de Fer, col du Télégraphe, col du Galibier and last but not least, l'Alpe de l'Huez needs to be mounted.

Anyone can sponsor me for this event by filling in a certain amount of money per kilometer on the inscription form. All profits from this event will go to the WWF. My travel and accommodation expenses will be taken care of by myself.

I am really looking forward to this and I hope that lots of people will support this campaign.

Greets, Mark

Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 28.06.2007 by Marcel Hubregtse | Comments (22)


Epica - The Divine Conspiracy Track Listing Revealed

Epica have revealed the track list of thier new forthcoming album "The Divine Conspiracy" which will be thier first full length concept album which will be dealing with the theory that says God created human being and released them on earth trying to see if they are able to find the true nature inside of them no matter what religion they belong to, realizing that in all religions it is actually the same. But there's more to it.

The Divine Conspiracy track listing:

01. Indigo (intro)
02. The Obsessive Devotion
03. Menace of Vanity
04. Chasing the Dragon
05. Never Enough
06. La'fetach Chatat Rovetz (The Last Embrace)
07. Death of a Dream (The Embrace That Smothers - Part 7)
08. Fools of Damnation (The Embrace That Smothers - Part 8)
09. Living a Lie (The Embrace That Smothers - Part 9)
10. Beyond Belief
11. Safeguard to Paradise
12. Sancta Terra
13. The Divine Conspiracy

Source: roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 08.06.2007 by Unknown user | Comments (12)


Epica - Release Dates Of Forthcoming Album Confirmed

Epica have issued the following update on their forthcoming album, The Divine Conspiracy:

"After having announced the title of the upcoming Epica album last week, this week we want to give you some more info on The Divine Conspiracy.

The Divine Conspiracy will be Epica's first full length concept album. This concept deals with the theory that, as a test, God created all kinds of different religions and released those upon humanity to see if they would be able to find the true nature of them, realizing that in all religions it is actually the same. But there's more to it, it also concludes the "Embrace That Smothers" concept that could already be found on The Phantom Agony.

We also want to mention a special guest performance on this cd; Sander Gommans (After Forever & HDK) joined us in the studio to record some of his amazing grunts for one of the songs!

And to conclude with: We have just returned from Belgrade (Serbia) to shoot the video for our first single: Never Enough. This video was shot by renowned director Ivan Colic from ICode Team & Rock the Nations. More info on this video will follow soon!"

Update: Nuclear Blast has set the release date in Germany of The Divine Conspiracy for September 7th. The rest of Europe will follow shortly after with September 10th.

Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 29.05.2007 by Lupas | Comments (14)


Epica - Sign With Nuclear Blast Records

The following announcement was made on Epica's homepage:

"We are very happy to announce that we have signed a record deal with Nuclear Blast. Nuclear Blast is one of the biggest and most renowned record companies in metal and has already released albums of top bands like In Flames, Therion, Stratovarius, Children Of Bodom, Dimmu Borgir and Nightwish.

At the moment we are finishing up the recordings of the new album, which is scheduled for release around August/September this year. It was recorded again at the Gate Studio with renowned producer Sascha Paeth. This new album will feature the heaviest material of Epica so far.

For more info on Nuclear Blast please check: http://www.nuclearblast.de

We would like to thank Markus Staiger and all the crew at Nuclear Blast and we very much look forward to working together with you guys!"

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Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 24.04.2007 by Thryce | Comments (16)


Epica - To Return To North America This Fall

Advance tickets are now on sale for a handful of dates by Dutch progressive metallers Epica (fronted by Simone Simons). The following are current dates confirmed at htpp://www.enterthevault.com

05.09.2007 - USA, Springfield, VA
06.09.2007 - USA, Hartford, CT
07.09.2007 - USA, Poughkeepsie, NY
08.09.2007 - USA, Bedford, NH
09.09.2007 - USA, New York City, NY
14.09.2007 - USA, Toronto, ON
15.09.2007 - USA, Cleveland, OH
16.09.2007 - USA, Detroit, MI
18.09.2007 - USA, Mokena, IL
19.09.2007 - USA, St. Paul, MN
22.09.2007 - USA, Seattle, WA
25.09.2007 - USA, Hollywood, CA
27.09.2007 - USA, Mexicali, MEX
30.09.2007 - USA, San Antonio TX
01.10.2007 - USA, Houston, TX

Austria's Visions Of Atlantis will be opening the shows.

Epica are currently recording their new album at the Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany. As announced, God Dethroned drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek is playing on the new Epica album but is not joining the band as a full time member.

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Source: bravewords.com
Band profile: Epica
Event: Epica: North Amercian Tour
Posted: 29.01.2007 by Lupas | Comments (7)


Epica - Reject Rumours About Vocalist Joining Nightwish

Online "news" sources have been spreading rumours that Epica vocalist Simone Simons has been in talks with Nightwish about joining the band. Epica has addressed the issue via their official website with the following statement:

"The last few months there have been a lot of rumours about Simone, implying she would leave Epica to join Nightwish as their new vocalist. With this rumour being published in a Finnish celebrity gossip magazine we are again getting a lot of questions whether or not this is true, so once again: Simone is not in contact with Nightwish nor their management and will not be leaving Epica. Don't believe everything you read, specially not in gossip magazines.

Oh and by the way, we are still looking for a new drummer. For more info contact info@epica.nl."

BW&BK can confirm that Epica's statement is not a whitewash, as they recently met up with backing vocalist Amanda Somerville, who began working on pre-production for the next Epica album at the beginning of the month at Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany. According to Somerville work on the album is due to continue in January.

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Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 18.11.2006 by Thryce | Comments (14)


Epica - Drummer Calls It Quits

Epica's first ever North American tour - supporting Kamelot - wrapped up on October 11th in Los Angeles, CA. Epica have posted the following update at their official website:

"We have just returned from our first USA/Canadian tour. It was an experience that we will never forget and we can only hope to return as soon as possible. Our thanks go out to Kamelot, the crew, the promoters, all the other bands we have shared the stage with and of course all of our fans that showed up every night!

Unfortunately, there is also some bad news: Jeroen (Simons) has decided to concentrate on an other musical career and will therefore leave Epica. We want to thank him for everything he has contributed to the band for the last 4 years and want to wish him all the best in his new musical career!

This means we are now looking for a new drummer. For more info contact info@epica.nl."

Epica will enter Gate Studios to begin pre-production for their next studio album on November 2nd.

Source: epica.nl
Band profile: Epica
Posted: 15.10.2006 by Thryce | Comments (9)