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EPICA Announces Acoustic Set And Signing Session At VINTAGE VINYL

Manos Spanos
Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey will host vocalist Simone Simons and guitarist Isaac Delahaye of Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA for an in-store acoustic performance and signing session on Monday, April 7 at 7 p.m. The acoustic set will include selections from "The Quantum Enigma", EPICA’s upcoming sixth studio album, due out in North America on May 6. Fans who pre-order it from Vintage Vinyl in person or online at VVinyl.com will receive a wristband for the event. Read event details here. Where the 2013 "Retrospect" performance reflected on a decade as one of the leading bands in the symphonic metal scene, "The Quantum Enigma" marks the beginning of a new EPICA: modern, heavy, and without compromises. Says the band: "More than any of our previous albums, this album is a group effort. The only goal we had in mind: creating the album that could lift EPICA up to the next level." "The Quantum Enigma" was produced by Joost van den Broek at the Sandlane recording facility in the Netherlands. The album was mixed by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, HATESPHERE). "The Quantum Enigma" will be released in five different configurations: 01 - Regular jewel case 02 - 2CD digipack 03 - 3CD earbook 04 - double vinyl 05 - Digital download "The Quantum Enigma" track listing: 01. Originem 02. The Second Stone 03. The Essence Of Silence 04. Victims Of Contingency 05. Sense Without Sanity (The Impervious Code) 06. Unchain Utopia 07. The Fifth Guardian (Interlude) 08. Chemical Insomnia 09. Reverence (Living in the Heart) 10. Omen [The Ghoulish Malady] 11. Canvas of Life 12. Natural Corruption 13. The Quantum Enigma (Kingdom Of Heaven Part II) Digipack additional track: "In All Conscience" Earbook additional track: "Dreamscape" Vinyl additional track: "Memento" iTunes additional track: "Banish Your Illusion" Disc 2 (digipack and earbook only): 01. Canvas Of Life [acoustic version] 02. In All Conscience [acoustic version] 03. Dreamscape [acoustic version] 04. Natural Corruption [acoustic version] Disc 3 (earbook Only): 01. Originem [instrumental] 02. The Second Stone [instrumental] 03. The Essence of Silence [instrumental] 04. Victims Of Contingency [instrumental] 05. Sense Without Sanity [instrumental] 06. Unchain Utopia [instrumental] 07. The Fifth Guardian [instrumental] 08. Chemical Insomnia [instrumental] 09. Reverence [instrumental] 10. Omen [instrumental] 11. Canvas Of Life [instrumental] 12. Natural Corruption [instrumental] 13. The Quantum Enigma [instrumental] The official lyric video for the song "The Essence Of Silence" can be seen below. In a recent interview with LiveReviewer, EPICA guitarist Isaac Delahaye stated about the making of "The Quantum Enigma": "It was very much our intention to really make songs. It was because we started with putting a lot of effort into the basics and we gave a lot of attention to the band part, more so than before. And, of course, Jacob Hansen mixed it and he knows how to do these things. We tried out several people and had them do a test mix of certain songs and he came out on top. It's become a heavy album, yet all the details are there. Previously, we used to go to the studio, tune our stuff and then we recorded an album. This time we did a long pre-production in the studio and we got to check out a lot of different combinations of amps and then we could record it. Previously, we just did everything in our home studios and sent each other the parts. And after that we would go into the studio and that's it. But now we sat down together and discussed a lot more, it was more of a band effort. It was working together, rather than reacting. Everyone brought songs to the table, which was very cool. With the previous album, it was mostly Mark, Coen and me writing a lot. And now even Ariën joined in and that made it all feel refreshing. It's odd to say, but it's kind of a new beginning." Longtime EPICA collaborator Stephan Heilemann once again created the stunning artwork to accompany the ideas behind the lyrics. Once you lay your hands on the album artwork, you will see that the cover is part of a bigger picture. EPICA will return to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release performance at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming album, the sextet will put on a memorable concert, with plans to perform both old and new songs.
05 min read

EPICA: ‘The Quantum Enigma’ Cover Artwork Unveiled

Manos Spanos
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA will release their sixth album, "The Quantum Enigma", on May 5 in Europe and May 13 in North America via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to "Requiem For The Indifferent" was produced by Joost Van Den Broek (the former AFTER FOREVER and AYREON keyboard player who has previously worked with REVAMP and STREAM OF PASSION). The cover artwork for "The Quantum Enigma" can be seen below. Says EPICA guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen: "[I] have been listening to our new album and I can't get enough of it! It sounds more modern but with all typical EPICA elements inside. Refreshing might be the right word. This album has also been the result of a real group effort. "It was great to see everyone being so motivated to create our best album! "Even though the sound is more heavy (the guitars, bass and drums sound so brutal!!!), it's still a very catchy album as well. Some old influences from our earliest work, some references to 'Design Your Universe' and some new elements. "[I] can't wait 'till the moment you'll be able to listen to our newborn which makes us all very proud!" EPICA will return to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release performance at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming album, the sextet will put on a memorable concert, with plans to perform both old and new songs. EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23, 2013 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set. On November 8, 2013, Nuclear Blast released "Retrospect" as a deluxe hardcover book with 48 pages, both as a 2DVD/3CD and 2Blu-ray/3CD version. "Retrospect" features this massive performance in its entirety, as well as exclusive interviews with all band members and behind-the-scenes footage from the show.
02 min read

EPICA: New Album Title, Release Date Revealed

Manos Spanos
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA will release their sixth album, "The Quantum Enigma", on May 5 in Europe and May 13 in North America via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to "Requiem For The Indifferent" was produced by Joost Van Den Broek (the former AFTER FOREVER and AYREON keyboard player who has previously worked with REVAMP and STREAM OF PASSION). Says EPICA guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen: "[I] have been listening to our new album and I can't get enough of it! It sounds more modern but with all typical EPICA elements inside. Refreshing might be the right word. This album has also been the result of a real group effort. "It was great to see everyone being so motivated to create our best album! "Even though the sound is more heavy (the guitars, bass and drums sound so brutal!!!), it's still a very catchy album as well. Some old influences from our earliest work, some references to 'Design Your Universe' and some new elements. "[I] can't wait 'till the moment you'll be able to listen to our newborn which makes us all very proud!" EPICA will return to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release performance at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming album, the sextet will put on a memorable concert, with plans to perform both old and new songs. EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23, 2013 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set. On November 8, 2013, Nuclear Blast released "Retrospect" as a deluxe hardcover book with 48 pages, both as a 2DVD/3CD and 2Blu-ray/3CD version. "Retrospect" features this massive performance in its entirety, as well as exclusive interviews with all band members and behind-the-scenes footage from the show.
02 min read

EPICA’s MARK JANSEN ‘Can’t Get Enough’ Of His Band’s Just-Completed Sixth Album

Manos Spanos
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA recently finished recording their sixth album for a spring release via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to "Requiem For The Indifferent" was produced by Joost Van Den Broek (the former AFTER FOREVER and AYREON keyboard player who has previously worked with REVAMP and STREAM OF PASSION). Says EPICA guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen: "[I] have been listening to our new album the whole day now and I can't get enough of it! It sounds more modern but with all typical EPICA elements inside. Refreshing might be the right word. This album has also been the result of a real group effort. "It was great to see everyone being so motivated to create our best album! "Even though the sound is more heavy (the guitars, bass and drums sound so brutal!!!), it's still a very catchy album as well. Some old influences from our earliest work, some references to 'Design Your Universe' and some new elements. "[I] can't wait 'till the moment you'll be able to listen to our newborn which makes us all very proud!" EPICA will return to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release performance at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming album, the sextet will put on a memorable concert, with plans to perform both old and new songs. EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23, 2013 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set. On November 8, 2013, Nuclear Blast released "Retrospect" as a deluxe hardcover book with 48 pages, both as a 2DVD/3CD and 2Blu-ray/3CD version. "Retrospect" features this massive performance in its entirety, as well as exclusive interviews with all band members and behind-the-scenes footage from the show.
02 min read

EPICA Completes Recording Sixth Album

Manos Spanos
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA have finished recording their sixth album for a spring release via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to "Requiem For The Indifferent" was produced by Joost Van Den Broek (the former AFTER FOREVER and AYREON keyboard player who has previously worked with REVAMP and STREAM OF PASSION). Says EPICA: "We had an awesome time at the Sandlane recording facilities together with Joost Van Den Broek and we can't wait for you guys to hear the final results!" The band will return to the stage on April 30 for a CD-release show at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming album, the sextet will put on a memorable show, with plans to perform both old and new songs. EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23, 2013 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set. On November 8, 2013, Nuclear Blast released "Retrospect" as a deluxe hardcover book with 48 pages, both as a 2DVD/3CD and 2Blu-ray/3CD version. "Retrospect" features this massive performance in its entirety, as well as exclusive interviews with all band members and behind-the-scenes footage from the show.
01 min read

EPICA: ‘Unleashed’ Performance Clip From ‘Retrospect’ DVD

Manos Spanos
Dutch symphonic metal band EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set. According to respected Dutch newspaper the Volkskrant, "The band wrote a chapter of Dutch metal history" this evening. Rock Tribune (Belgium) thought it was "an unforgettable show." Ten high-definition cameras captured this very special sold-out show while EPICA played in front of nearly five thousand ecstatic fans. In addition to a collection of the band's biggest hits from across the spectrum of their entire catalog, this once-in-a-lifetime spectacular also featured the live debut of "Twin Flames" and the previously unreleased "Retrospect", covers of classics by Vivaldi, Pergolesi, and Oscar-winning film composer John Williams, two guest collaborations with the venerable Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH, REVAMP), and a very special performance of their breakthrough single "Quietus" with founding members Jeroen Simons, Ad Sluijter and Yves Huts. On November 8, Nuclear Blast will release "Retrospect" as a deluxe hardcover book with 48 pages, both as a 2DVD/3CD and 2Blu-ray/3CD version. "Retrospect" will contain the following fan favorites: 01. Introspect 02. Monopoly On Truth 03. Sensorium 04. Unleashed 05. Martyr Of The Free Word 06. Chasing The Dragon 07. Presto 08. Never Enough 09. Stabat Mater Dolorosa 10. Twin Flames 11. Serenade Of Self-Destruction 12. Orchestral Medley 13. The Divine Conspiracy ~Anniversary Edition~ 14. Delirium 15. Blank Infinity 16. The Obsessive Devotion 17. Retrospect 18. Battle Of The Heroes & Imperial March 19. Quietus 20. The Phantom Agony 21. Cry For The Moon 22. Sancta Terra 23. Design Your Universe 24. Storm The Sorrow 25. Consign To Oblivion 26. Outrospect "Retrospect" features this massive performance in its entirety, as well as exclusive interviews with all band members and behind-the-scenes footage from the show. The "Unleashed" performance clip, taken "Retrospect", can be seen below.
02 min read

EPICA Announces Special Album-Release Show

Manos Spanos
Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA will return to the stage on April 30, 2014 for an album-release show at 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. After taking a break from the road due the pregnancy of lead singer Simone Simons, the release of a new concert DVD, "Retrospect", as well as the writing and recording of the band's upcoming CD, the sextet will put on a memorable show, with plans to perform both old and new songs. EPICA is currently finishing up the pre-production of the follow-up to "Requiem For The Indifferent", with plans to enter the studio in October with producer Joost Van Den Broek (the former AFTER FOREVER and AYREON keyboard player who has previously worked with REVAMP and STREAM OF PASSION). To make the album-release show even more special, EPICA's fans will not only be able to purchase regular tickets, but there will be two exclusive bundles available for this event. The first bundle contains a signed version of the upcoming album and the second, larger bundle will consist of a goodie bag, containing a signed copy of the upcoming album, an exclusive T-shirt, flag, lanyard, VIP laminate and a limited-edition poster. Tickets and bundle for this show will go on sale Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 10:00 CET through Ticketmaster.nl. There will be special "early-bird" tickets available at reduced price. This offer is valid until September 28, 2013. EPICA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a one-night-only event, dubbed "Retrospect", on March 23 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The band was accompanied by the seventy-piece Reményi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Miskolc National Theatre Choir, playing an unforgettable three-hour best-of set.
02 min read