Formed by composer Mark Jansen after leaving After Forever back in 2002, Epica quickly gained attention outside their home country, taking big steps towards becoming the leading symphonic metal superpower they have long proven to be. On their past seven records so far, they soared from gothic undertones to a broad, epic and triumphant amalgamation of all things monolithic, establishing their unique brand of Simone Simons’ unparalleled vocal excellence with a band both ready to tear down venues around the globe while at the same time installing orchestral splendour, progressive elegance, oriental enchantment, cinematic soundscapes and colossal fury into their trailblazing bombshell sound.