Epica Family Tree
Metal Family Tree
This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.
We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.
Epica has become one of the best symphonic metal bands by pushing the limits of the genera. At any given time the band can sound like it’s playing a number of genres and have brought the progressive elements to the genre to a new level setting the bar high for symphonic bands. At the heart of the band is Mark Jensen. Most of their catalog is written by Mark with other members contributing. Here we will see where members of Epica get their inspirations.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Frédéric Chopin
Ennio Morricone
Hans Zimmer
Lisa Gerrard
Simone’s favorite bands that I didn’t include above: REM, Moonspell, Rammstein, Within Temptation, Lacrimosa, Leaves’ Eyes, System of a Down, Dargaard, Anastacia, Apocalytica, Moby, Björk, Tiamat, Dimmu Borgir, and Faith no More.
Isaac Delahaye the second and long time guitarist often states he is influenced by thrash and melodic death but doesn’t give examples. I’ve also gotten the idea that he may not differentiate between thrash and groove bands. This means that when he says thrash he might be including bands listed like Lamb of God, Machine Head, and Pantera. On one interview when asked what he listens to he said everything from James Blunt, Nickleback, Soil, Soilwork, Dimmu Borgir, acoustic stuff, fusion, Ditto, to Immortal.
Coen Janssen named favorite bands not listed above, System of a Down, Rammstein, and Audioslave.
Ad Sluijter named Depeche Mode’s Ultra as one of his favorite albums but I don’t think it really influenced Epica’s sound since he’s the guitar player and Depeche Mode rarley uses guitar. He also named Scar Symmetry who are a contemporary of Epica.
Ariën van Weesenbeek, current drummer who has been with the band since 2007 has had writing credits and has helped bring a heavier sound to Epica. I haven’t found his specific influences.
Yves Huts was Epicas original and bass player for 8 years and contributed to writing. Other bands that are not listed above that Yves considered favorites include Covenant, Mortifer, Dagorlad, and Sirrah
Current bassist Rob van der Loo has only a couple writing credits but names influences as, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Cream Metallica, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Faith No More.
First drummer Jeroen Simons has no writing credits. I don’t know his specific influences but they seem to be eclectic and current drummer Arien said that Jeroen had a jazz approach, whatever he means by that.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS33HIbHuCg
https://echoesanddust.com/2016/09/interview-mark-jansen-and-simone-simons-of-epica/
https://forbassplayersonly.com/rob-van-der-loo/
http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/musicians/arien_van_weesenbeek_2.htm
https://blastmagazine.com/2016/02/15/epicas-simone-simons-the-blast-interview/
https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/08/16/qa-epicas-isaac-delahaye/
https://www.metalpaths.com/interviews/2016/10/04/interview-epica-coen-janssen/
http://www.metalist.co.il/InterviewPrivate.asp?id=78&lang=eng
https://www.seaoftranquility.org/article.php?sid=2344
https://distortedsoundmag.com/epica-talk-influences/
https://thegreatsouthernbrainfart.com/?p=5059
https://alternative-zine.com/interviews/en/22
https://www.therockpit.net/2016/interview-mark-jansen-epica/
https://web.archive.org/web/20060422002048/http://www.epica.nl/index.php?id=45§ion=band
https://web.archive.org/web/20041020225556/http://www.epica.nl/index.php?id=42§ion=band
https://web.archive.org/web/20070819174613/http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=1
https://web.archive.org/web/20070819194411/http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=3
https://web.archive.org/web/20070818142809/http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=6
https://web.archive.org/web/20070818210135/http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=5
https://web.archive.org/web/20070819194444/http://www.epica.nl/?page=band&show=members&sub=2