Only Heavy Metal

2016-06-03 - Holland's greatest symphonic metal band, EPICA, have finally put the last touches on their new upcoming studio album entitled »The Holographic Principle«. Once again it'll be released worldwide via Nuclear Blast Records. The album was recorded with Joost van der Broek at Sand Lane Studios. Mixing was handled by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, DESTRUCTION). The cover artwork was created by Heile.

The band commented:
"Our highly anticipated seventh studio album is a fact. »The Holographic Principle« feels to us like a true treasure, created by us all with blood, sweat and tears of joy. In the past year we have worked very hard to write and record this special album. We are all very eager to share it with you! Join us on our new musical journey."

To celebrate the release of EPICA's brand-new record fittingly, the band will be playing on their own Epic Metal Fest in Tilburg, NL on Saturday, October 1st.
They invited KATATONIA, their label mates FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE and (also landsmen) TEXTURES to take part in this special event. Additionally, STREAM OF PASSION, THE AGONIST, MAYAN, MYRATH, EVIL INVADERS and last but not least OFF THE CROSS will be attending EPICA's release show..

Dutch symphonic metal stars EPICA announced the release of their forthcoming record »The Holographic Principle« (September 30th through Nuclear Blast), two weeks ago. Now the artwork has been revealed it is time for the band to announce the tracklisting of this highly-awaited album. It racks up as follows:

The band commented:
"»The Holographic Principle« deals with the near future wherein virtual reality has taken off and allows people to create their own virtual worlds which can't be distinguished from "reality as we know it". This raises the question whether our current reality is a kind of virtual reality on itself, a hologram. This implies the existence of a higher reality which we currently do not have access to. The lyrics challenge you to think out of the box, to reconsider everything you thought to know for sure and to be open-minded towards recent revolutions in science. Fasten your seat belts and get ready for a ride as nothing appears to be what it seems in our holographic universe."

EPICA - announce EP »The Solace System«; start pre-order; release music video! - 2017-06-23

2017-06-23 - With their latest masterpiece, EPICA set new standards. 2016’s »The Holographic Principle« is the most epochal, multi-layered, courageous and successful record of the band, reaching top 10 chart position entries in the German, Dutch and Swiss album charts. Accordingly, all the tracks written for the album process are high-quality, but not all songs have been put on the album. "This is only based on the fact that the record should not exceed 76 minutes," explains Mark. Since the band didn’t like the idea of a double CD, they finally decided to release an EP with six brand-new numbers, which were created during the creative phase of »The Holographic Principle«"

Said and done. Today, EPICA proudly announce their upcoming long-awaited EP, »The Solace System«! It is scheduled to be released on September 1st, 2017 via Nuclear Blast.

Mark tells about the songs: "The listeners can expect a high-quality EP - with songs that are far too good to use them only as bonus tracks. We wanted to publish these songs together in a context. It is always hard to decide at the end of a recording process which songs will be on the album, because this means that you have to miss some songs with best quality, just because they do not fit quite well into the overall flow of the record or because there are other songs that are more suited to the lyrics".

So much the better then that EPICA have chosen to publish those songs in an EP. Due to this EP, no one has to miss these damn strong songs that, just like the album, consist from a contrasting versatility, equally opulent, bombastic moments, as well as filigree emotionality!

»The Solace System« was recorded, mixed & mastered by team Joost van den Broek and Jacob Hansen. The video clip was produced by anime-master Davide Cilloni. The splendid artwork is once again by the hand of Stefan Heilemann.

Simone Simons (vocalist) comments on the EP:
"During the early writing process of »The Holographic Principle« we found out that we were blessed with a huge amount of songs. The songs that didn't fit on our album are now available for you on this special EP! I hope you guys will enjoy these songs as much as we do!"

And if that wasn't enough, you'll be also able to purchase the new EP »The Solace System« together with the CD of their recent studio album »The Holographic Principle« as a box set!

It will be called »The Holographic Principle – The Ultimate Edition«.

2018-05-18 - Last December, Dutch symphonic metal giants EPICA surprised their fans with a very special covers EP release entitled »EPICA vs. Attack On Titan«. The release, which was only available in Japan, featured metal versions of the theme songs from the highly successful manga series with 70 Million copies in print turned worldwide aired anime "Attack On Titan". Today, the band announced the EP will be available outside of Japan on July 20th via Nuclear Blast Records.

EPICA keyboardist Coen Janssen comments: “The »Attack on Titan« EP is a project very close to my heart. More than ever I was involved in arranging and producing and I am very proud of the result! Very cool to see how these Japanese anime-songs turned into EPICA songs more and more every step of the way!!! I’m very excited that our »Attack on Titan« EP will be available outside of Japan!"

»EPICA vs. Attack On Titan« was recorded during the summer of 2017 at Sandlane Recording Facilities by Joost van den Broek. The original songs, which were influenced by the music of EPICA, were composed by Revo of popular Japanese band LINKED HORIZON. For the EP, the tracks were adapted by EPICA and produced by Joost van den Broek. The choir arrangements and scoring were completed by keyboardist Coen Janssen who also handled the orchestral arrangements with Joost van den Broek.