{"title":"Epica","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEpica is a Dutch symphonic\/gothic metal band that was founded in 2002 by guitarist and composer Mark Jansen (ex-After Forever) and guitarist Ad Sluijter. The band started under the name Sahara Dust, but later changed it to Epica in early 2003. Their lineup has evolved over the years, with members like keyboardist Coen Janssen, vocalist Helena Michaelsen (ex-Trail Of Tears), drummer Iwan Hendrikx being replaced by Simone Simons and Jeroen Simons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEpica's music is characterized by its powerful combination of symphonic elements and heavy metal sounds. They have released several albums, including their demo Cry For The Moon. With influences from bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation, and Lacuna Coil, Epica has carved out their own unique sound within the genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you enjoy artists such as Delain, Leaves' Eyes, or After Forever, then you will definitely appreciate Epica's music. Their captivating melodies and impressive vocal performances make them a standout in the symphonic\/gothic metal scene.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-divine-conspiracy-2","title":"The Divine Conspiracy","description":"\u003cp\u003eEpica is a Dutch symphonic metal band, founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen after his departure from \u003ci\u003eAfter Forever\u003c\/i\u003e. Formed as a symphonic metal band with gothic tendencies, later Epica have incorporated into their sound strong death metal influences\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nuclear Blast","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50380116361547,"sku":"2211121","price":44.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/The_Divine_Conspiracy_0784333f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726208319"},{"product_id":"the-quantum-enigma-2","title":"The Quantum Enigma","description":"\u003cp\u003eEpica is a Dutch symphonic metal band, founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen after his departure from \u003ci\u003eAfter Forever\u003c\/i\u003e. 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Since 2002, the band surrounding global metal icon Simone Simons and her long-time musical partner Mark Jansen have released eight highly innovative and cinematic albums, have toured the world over and have left their mark as one of metal’s most prolific, most cherished and most admired success stories forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith \u003ci\u003eThe Alchemy Project,\u003c\/i\u003e Epica set another highlight in the band's 20th anniversary year! Graced by a vivid and witty artwork by graphic wizard Heilemania, Epica embark on a journey through seven extraordinary new songs. Co-written and performed with diverse guests ranging from extremists like Fleshgod Apocalypse, Niilo Sevänen (Insomnium) and Björn ‘Speed’ Strid (Soilwork) via melodic masters like Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), keyboard legend Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep) or Roel van Helden (Powerwolf) to a once- in-a-lifetime song with Simone Simons, Charlotte Wessels and Myrkur, EPICA have really outdone themselves once again. The result is a mind-bending release that even surpasses the usual broad scope of an Epica record.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atomic Fire","offers":[{"title":"Green | LP","offer_id":50384340386123,"sku":"2000419","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50384339403083,"sku":"2000417","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50384339534155,"sku":"2000418","price":20.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/The_Alchemy_Project_9af6b654_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726295788"},{"product_id":"omega-2","title":"Omega","description":"\u003cp\u003eMonumental isn’t even a word strong enough to describe the new Epica offering \u003ci\u003eOmega,\u003c\/i\u003e the first collection of all-new material in five long years. On their eighth full-length, the Dutch symphonic metal titans go all cinemascope, in a stunt both effortlessly and cunningly unleashing their biggest, grandest, flashiest opus yet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nuclear Blast","offers":[{"title":"Turquoise | LP | x2","offer_id":50457602720075,"sku":"1105527","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Black | LP | x2","offer_id":50457600753995,"sku":"1105530","price":37.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50457603899723,"sku":"1105528","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/6a897ade-576e-4939-8e58-a65f7ec9ae82_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727206848"},{"product_id":"omega-alive","title":"Omega Alive","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eΩmega Alive\u003c\/i\u003e is the Epica show of your wildest dreams, brought to life by blood, sweat, tears and a healthy dose of megalomania. Think Marvel meeting Cirque de Soleil in a Tim Burton universe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nuclear Blast","offers":[{"title":"Green | LP | x3","offer_id":50522599620939,"sku":"1131931","price":84.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/76478ef8-2fb3-4c70-942b-eb3e65199c25_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728012676"},{"product_id":"we-still-take-you-with-us-the-early-years","title":"We Still Take You With Us  The Early Years","description":"\u003cp\u003eEpica re-issue their first three albums \u003ci\u003eThe Phantom Agony, Consign To Oblivion\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Score\u003c\/i\u003e, which have become milestones of the genre and rarities on the physical market. Now they come with previously unreleased bonus tracks on each album in a CD box, LP collector’s box and earbook. As special surprise, the band dug up some spectacular hidden gems from their early career that will be available as bonus material on some of the formats: \u003ci\u003eLive At Paradiso\u003c\/i\u003e - Initially recorded in 2006 at the beautiful “Paradiso” in Amsterdam, the concert not only revives the memories from a young band who had just freshly released their two first albums including some evergreen hits like ‘Cry For The Moon’ or ‘Solitary Ground’, but has even become shrouded in legends. Often scheduled for release, this DVD and audio recording somehow never managed to see the light of day and has almost become the ‘holy grail’ for some of Epica’s old school fans. Now, after having disappeared in a dark drawer for more than 16 years, \u003ci\u003eLive At Paradiso\u003c\/i\u003e gets finally revealed on 2CD and BluRay\/DVD - specifically revamped in modern 4K resolution. \u003ci\u003eWe Will Take You With Us\u003c\/i\u003e Recorded at the ‘Twe Meter Sessies’ on public Dutch TV, most hardcore fans will be familiar with this release that was the band’s first major performance on television and first DVD release that has long been sold out. As very special rarity, you can also discover two demo recordings from Sahara Dust – the band that should later become Epica (and can actually be seen live for the very first time at Epica’s already sold out anniversary show in Tilburg!).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nuclear Blast","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x11","offer_id":50522840957259,"sku":"1157271","price":119.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/946ab157-76f3-42b6-9fa5-34a22da3ed1e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728015465"},{"product_id":"the-phantom-agony-expanded-edition","title":"The Phantom Agony (Expanded Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003e2022 marked the 20th anniversary of Symphonic Metal titans Epica. 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The Dutch combo has manifested their talent to combine metal with unique operatic vocals and has gained a huge international fanbase after performing over 1.000 shows in more than 60 countries on all continents. This is a limited edition vinyl release of the band’s debut album (2003).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nuclear Blast","offers":[{"title":"Red LP","offer_id":50529988510027,"sku":"2052550","price":42.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Requiem_for_the_Indifferent_7de4aebd_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728069751"},{"product_id":"aspiral","title":"Aspiral","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe journey of growth follows a spiral, continuously widening and deepening with every cycle. By sticking to this spiritual principle, symphonic metal innovators Epica have reinvented themselves on their ninth effort \u003ci\u003eAspiral\u003c\/i\u003e, releasing a studio album that shows a band brimming with a newfound joy in their own skin – standing united as a team, where every band member brought inspiration, ideas and years of songwriting experience to the table.  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAspiral\u003c\/i\u003e bears testimony to this unity, but the band’s steep ascent within the past years was far from coincidental and required lots of hard work and combination of things happening after the release of their latest album \u003ci\u003eOmega\u003c\/i\u003e in the midst of a raging pandemic. After walking several steps off their usual path with their EP “The Alchemy Project” which saw them collaborating with artists such as Myrkur, Fleshgod Apocalypse or Uriah Heep, the band played a massive world tour and got invited by a certain band called Metallica for several dates, and played 4 sold out “Symphonic Synergy” shows with a massive orchestra and choir.  After diving deep into hypothetical theories, metaphysical mysticism and themes that were touching the fabric of our existence in the infinity of the universe, Epica’s 9th studio effort \u003ci\u003eAspiral\u003c\/i\u003e centers on the work of sculptor Stanisław Szukalski. During the first Covid lockdown, bassist Rob van der Loo saw the documentary ‘Struggle – The Life And Lost Art Of Stanislav Szukalski’ and felt so inspired by his work that he wanted to write soundtracks for some of his sculptures, simply because each and every detail in his works are artworks on their own and their stories go very deep.” And this is where the path started. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAspiral\u003c\/i\u003e was born as an instrumental soundtrack to this world, an initially separate project that over time metamorphosed into the new Epica record.  The title comes from a bronze statue Szukalski did in 1965. If you take a close look, you can see snails rebuilding elements out of the mud in cycles and this eventually leads to civilization and a woman reaching out to the sun. It stands for renewal and inspiration – keywords that define Epica in 2025.  For more than 20 years now, Epica have been standing tall. And while already their last efforts clearly showcased their commitment to the game, it is \u003ci\u003eAspiral\u003c\/i\u003e that truly distils the very heart of their trademark sound.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nuclear Blast","offers":[{"title":"2LP - Blue","offer_id":51180531777867,"sku":"2242138","price":46.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2LP - Gold \/ Red","offer_id":51180532040011,"sku":"2242139","price":44.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2LP - Black","offer_id":51180531220811,"sku":"2242137","price":43.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4CD\/1 Bluray","offer_id":51180533121355,"sku":"2242140","price":69.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"2CD","offer_id":51182211170635,"sku":"2242141","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51180530893131,"sku":"2242136","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Aspiral_7d3f420e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1738234885"},{"product_id":"design-your-universe-pj","title":"Design Your Universe","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover Design Your Universe by Epica on stunning Transparent Orange Vinyl. 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One listen to thunderous songs like ‘Edge Of The Blade’ and ‘Universal Death Squad’ will confirm that \u003cem\u003eThe Holographic Principle\u003c\/em\u003e is Epica’s heaviest album to date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeanwhile, the shimmering soundscapes and multi-layered melodrama of ‘Once Upon A Nightmare’ and the towering 11-minute title track confirm that \u003cem\u003eThe Holographic Principle\u003c\/em\u003e is also the band’s most musically extravagant and daring release so far. With lashings of sumptuous orchestration and a never-ending stream of ingenious but brutal metal riffs and propulsive rhythms underpinning the whole explosive enterprise, this is an album that raises the bar for the entire symphonic metal genre.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nuclear Blast","offers":[{"title":"2LP - Transparent Magenta vinyl","offer_id":53461663187275,"sku":"R2639-7995","price":44.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2000x2000bb_7464dd03-4a52-4864-bd4f-457d2763777b.jpg?v=1758700318"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_0d9f0b09_thumbnail_4096_08adda61-108e-45a3-9cc3-1ca2d91240dc.jpg?v=1726208300","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/epica.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}