Artist: EPICA
Album: CONSIGN TO OBLIVION LTD. (CD+DVD BOOK)

Release date: 2005
Media type: CD

Continuing in a by now popular tradition of female fronted Gothic Metal bands from the Low Countries, EPICA was conceived by former AFTER FOREVER guitarist Mark Jansen. Second guitarist Ad Sluijter was previously a member of CASSIOPEIA and also has AFTER FOREVER connections, as does keyboard player Coen Janssen. Drummer Jeroen Simons too is ex-CASSIOPEIA whilst bassist Yves Huts (a.k.a. 'Enuresor') has a tradition with AXAMENTA and Black Metal band GURTHANG. EPICA is led by the mezzo-soprano classically trained Opera singer Simone Simons.

For a short period this new formation went by the title SAHARA DUST, including former TRAIL OF TEARS vocalist Helena Iren Michaelsen and drummer Iwan Hendrikx of SILENT EDGE and EXIVIOUS. Ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION and current SUN CAGED drummer Dennis Leeflang would step into the breech. In this guise the band cut the December 2002 two song demo 'Cry For The Moon'. However, with the enrolment of Simone Simon, and Jeroen Simons the group adopted the EPICA banner, in homage to KAMELOT, in 2003. Meantime, Michaelson duly founded IMPERIA.

The debut Sascha Paeth produced album 'The Phantom Agony', offering Gothic Metal imbued with choral vocals from Simon and Death grunts from Jansen, gave the band immediate success by landing straight in the Dutch national charts. Extensive touring throughout Europe in April and May of 2004 would be backed by the single release 'Cry For The Moon'. Subsequent festival dates saw EPICA performing at the Leipzig 'Wave Gotik Treffen' event, 'Graspop' in Belgium and the Turkish 'Rock The Nations' meeting in Istanbul. Further product arrived in October in the form of the DVD 'We Will Take You With Us / 2 Meter Sessies', coming with additional bonus CD containing all of the '2 Meter Sessies' recordings.

EPICA united with Austrian act VISIONS OF ATLANTIS for European touring in September. The band put in an appearance at the NIGHTWISH headlined 'Metal Female Voices Fest II' event held in Brussels during November. The group formed up a supporting cast comprising FLOWING TEARS, SENGIR, DARKWELL, VISIONS OF ATLANTIS, ASHES YOU LEAVE and SYRENS CALL. Shows in Mexico would be projected for December. However, Simone Simons was rushed to hospital with a diagnosis of appendicitis mid way through these gigs. Support band THE LEGION OF HETHERIA singer Maria Victoria Perez was thrust into the spotlight as she stepped in to fill the vacancy to complete the tour.

New album recordings completed in late 2004 would see the guest inclusion of KAMELOT frontman Roy Khan. Returning the favour, Simone Simons appeared as a cameo in the KAMELOT promotional video for 'The Haunting'. The band, promoting the album 'Consign To Oblivion', announced a return to the European touring circuit in March of 2005, partnering with KOTIPELTO and KAMELOT. October found the band appearing at the Belgian 'Female Metal Voices III' festival alongside a cast comprising LACUNA COIL, LEAVES' EYES, THE LEGION OF HETHERIA, ELIS, MIDNATTSOL, SKEPTICAL MINDS, MERCURY RAIN, ASRAI, AUTUMN, DILUVIUM and AFTER FOREVER. The band united with KAMELOT for South American shows in December.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Hunab K’u "A New Age Dawns" ~ Prologue
2. Dance Of Fate
3. The Last Crusade "A New Age Dawns" # 1
4. Solitary Ground
5. Blank Infinity
6. Force Of The Shore
7. Quietus
8. Mother Of Light "A New Age Dawns" #2
9. Trois Vierges
10. Another Me "In Lack’ech"
11. Consign To Oblivion "A New Age Dawns" #3

LINE UP:

Simone Simons (vocals)
Mark Jansen (vocals / guitar)
Ad Sluijter (guitar)
Coen Janssen (keyboards)
Jeroen Simons (drums)