Epica

Epica is a British–Dutch symphonic metal band, formed in Reuver, Netherlands in 2002 and comrises of lead vocalist Simone Simons, lead guitartist James Harrison, rhythm guitarist Andrew Collins, pianist Coen Janssen, bassist Jake Wyss and drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek. The band started as Harrison, Collins and Wyss had taken a gap year to travel Europe together and met original lead singer Helena Iren Michaelsen and pianist Coen Janssen and were originally named Sahara Dust. They later split from Michaelsen and discovered then-unknown singer Simone Simons and renamed Epica.

They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls, performed by Simone Simons and James Harrison respectively. All six members participate in composing their songs, whilst their lyrics are primarily written by Simons and Harrison. Their songs largely deal with philosophical topics, including science, religion, and world events.

Alongside the success of Epica British band members Collins, Harrison and Wyss have a three piece side project Abraxas which has been equally as successful but they have maintained that their main focus is on Epica. To date all seven of their albums have charted in the Top 10 in the Netherlands and USA and at number one in the UK. "Feint" from their first album topped the UK Charts becoming the first metal single since 1991 to top the chart and have achieved a total of 14 UK number one singles and 15 Billboard Hot 100 number ones. There success in the US has led to the group being nominated for 48 Grammy Awards, the eighth most nominations in history which led to 34 wins which is a record.

The band won an Academy Award in 2006 for Best Original Song for "Solitary Ground" the only nomination for Dutch production Joyride.

Discography

 * Main article: Epica discography


 * The Phantom Agony (2003)
 * Consign to Oblivion (2005)
 * The Divine Conspiracy (2007)
 * Design Your Universe (2009)
 * Requiem for the Indifferent (2012)
 * The Quantum Enigma (2014)
 * The Holographic Principle (2016)
 * Omega (2021)

Members

 * Main article: List of Epica members

Current

 * Andrew Collins – rhythm guitar (2002–present)
 * James Harrison – lead guitar, growls/screams (2002–present)
 * Coen Janssen – keyboards, synthesizer, piano (2002–present)
 * Simone Simons – lead vocals (2002–present)
 * Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums, spoken words, growls (2007–present)
 * Jake Wyss – bass, backing vocals (2002–present)

Former

 * Helena Iren Michaelsen – lead vocals (2002)
 * Iwan Hendrikx – drums (2002)
 * Dennis Leeflang – drums (2002)
 * Jeroen Simons – drums (2002–2006; live member 2013)
 * Yves Huts – bass (live member 2013)
 * Ad Sluijter – guitars (live member 2013)
 * Koen Herfst – drums (touring member 2007)
 * Amanda Somerville – vocals (touring member 2008), backing vocals (2002–2012)
 * Oliver Palotai – keyboards (touring member 2014)