EPICA // Resolving To Be Resolute

Dutch symphonic metal outfit Epica toured France just days before extremists unleashed terror on the city, claiming the lives of 130 people.

Eighty-nine of those were punters gunned down at Paris’ Bataclan Theatre while watching Eagles of Death Metal. What hit closer to home for guitarist and founding member Mark Jansen was the fact that band had played at that very same venue. Yet Epica continued on that tour, even when details surfaced that the next city they would play in, London, was next on the radar for Islamic State. It’s enough to have any person’s nerves shot to bits, but Jansen and his crew are not easily intimidated. They’ll tour Australia next week, just after they leave the studio from recording their seventh album.

You say that Sense Without Sanity (off The Quantum Enigma) has elements of Mozart in it. Did an appreciation for classical music come early in your life, and what are some of the most powerful elements of the genre that other styles of music can’t replicate?

Mark: When I was very young I couldn’t stand classical music, it sounded boring to me, (like) music for old people. But someone told me back then that probably I would start appreciating it when I would be a bit older myself. That appeared to be true. Around the age of 12 I started listening to classical music and my dream would be to combine both styles in a band. The most powerful elements of classical music is the central role of the melody. A classical composition without a strong melody doesn’t do it for me. Yet it’s possible to compose very dark (Rachmaninov) or on the contrary light (Vivaldi) classical music. Mozart composed dark as well as light tunes. I’m more a fan of the darker ones. It can be hard to get into Rachmaninov as it’s so dark and heavy. I think many classical compositions are really suitable for metal music. Program some drums underneath and play some of the melodies on guitars and you have a symphonic metal song. One day I was listening to my girlfriend Laura singing the opera “Nozze di Figaro” in a big theatre in Italy and one tune got me, it became the starting point for Sense Without Sanity.

Australian outfit Voyager will support your band when you tour our country in March. Why were they picked and what is it that you like about the band?

Mark: They played with us the previous time as well and we were very much impressed by their live show, so we’re honoured to have them playing with us again.

There’s already talk of a seventh album? Details please.

Mark: We are currently in the studio recording our seventh album. We are recording it with the same producer as the TQE album but this time we will try to push the bar even higher. We’re gonna record with a bigger orchestra and hopefully this will enrich the sound. Also the pre-production was intensified, for the reason to polish the last details even better before we entered the studio. We had written 25 songs of which we made a selection of 17. From these 17 songs we need to drop another five for the final album selection.

Simone (lead singer) said the Bataclan Club killings in Paris hit home for Epica, as the band had played at the venue before. Can you tell us about your mood and where you were when you first found out about the attacks?

Mark: I was and am sad and enraged at the same time. I was on tour with Epica when the news started to spread. We just left France, we played there (in France) a few days before the attacks. It leaves you horrified to think about what the crowd, crew and band was going through that evening. I haven’t been scared for a single moment myself. We still had to play London, which was apparently on the hit list next. I was happy to see the crowd still came out to see our show.

Was the resilience and comradery of the French people after the attacks felt throughout Europe?

Mark: Yes it was felt throughout whole Europe as it comes so close. Everybody realised it could have been also you or me being there at the Bataclan that day. But I must also say, there are dirty things going on all over the world. This shocked so many people as it came so nearby but as a touring band we play often at locations were gruesome things have happened. You can’t think too much about it otherwise it might takes away all pleasure you feel while playing shows. It’s also not totally clear who exactly is behind those attacks. Of course there’s this IS all over the news all the time but there’s so much more going on behind the scenes. It’s a lot more complicated than just a group of islamic extremists fighting the so called “free” western world. I think we’ve lost our true freedom a long time ago already.

Due to family reasons, you were forced to cancel several shows on your most recent American tour. Have band members played an integral part in helping one another during difficult times?

Mark: Yes definitely, when something terrible happens you have to be there for each other. The first thing we said to Simone was fly back home and that’s also what she wanted herself. It was very close or she would have never seen her father alive anymore. I’m very happy that we got all the support from our fans during these hard times.

Your Instagram is full of flora and fauna. Does the escapism that comes with these pictures help build your musical creativity? (Sorry for the stalking).

Mark: haha you’re right. I am a big fan of nature and the beauty of it. I love to capture beauty and share it with others. It brings me joy when others get happy by seeing my pictures, the same counts for our music. Making other people happy is a wonderful feeling. Being surrounded by nature gives me inspiration and energy.

Epica’s genre seems to bear its roots in Europe, making it quite unique for Australian listeners. How has our country’s reception been towards your band’s music?

Mark: Australia is a good country for Epica as we have many die hard fans over there. Some even fly sometimes to Europe to see us play. The energy of the crowd is also worth mentioning. I love when people show what they feel. The more energetic the crowd the more energy I get (and can give in return) as well.

If you haven’t already heard, Australia’s largest alternative/metal festival Soundwave has gone to the grave. Does this deter a band like yours from touring Down Under, and do you believe it will for others?

Mark: For us it won’t affect our choice to come over or not. I can’t imagine not taking the chance when we get it to come over. I don’t know about other bands but I’ve heard Nightwish is now in Australia so I wouldn’t be too worried about that.

Want more Epica? Stay peeled for our chat with the legendary Simone Simons, coming up this week at Hysteriamag.com!

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EPICA: The Australian/New Zealand Enigma

with special guests Voyager

March 16th, The Studio, Auckland

March 18th, Max Watts, Brisbane

March 19th, Max Watts, Sydney

March 20th, 170 Russell, Melbourne

Tickets on sale now via www.soundworkstouring.com