Epica was born in the Netherlands in the early 2000s. Led by Simone Simons, a kind of modern-day Celtic goddess, the band has a unique talent for blending symphonic metal, gothic metal, and progressive metal. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to mention those genres without thinking of the six Dutch musicians. In that sense, Epica stands alongside other legendary acts like Within Temptation and Nightwish, though they set themselves apart with a deeper devotion to the heavier side of metal.
With a name that couldn’t be more fitting, Epica transports listeners into a new magical universe with every song,one filled with mystical epics, majestic landscapes, armored heroes, and demonic creatures. Evocative and cinematic, the music crafted by Simone Simons and her bandmates has a strange power: it can turn concert halls into haunted castles, and festivals into battlefields.
Since the release of _The Phantom Agony_ in 2003, each new Epica album has felt like both an event and a journey of discovery. Their sound is often marked by fiery riffs and thunderous drumming, all wrapped in gloriously over-the-top symphonic layers.