1. - Epica is a symphonic m… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists using this name.
1. - Epica is a symphonic metal band, founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen, subsequent to his departure from After Forever. Formed as a symphonic metal band with gothic tendencies, later Epica have incorporated into their sound strong death metal influences. Starting from the third album, even progressive metal attitudes have become evident. In addition, the band often uses thrash metal and groove metal riffs, black metal passages (mostly in the drum technique), power metal moments and references to Arabic music. Some songs also have electronic shades, djent transitions and folk metal melodies derived from middle eastern, Chinese and Celtic traditions. Epica is also known for the attention to the vocal lines that, in contrast to the heavy context, weave very catchy, easy to hold, sophisticated and emotional melodies. The use of mezzo-soprano vocals and growled vocals, performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen respectively, is fundamental to the band's sound. They primarily write their own lyrics, which often deal with philosophical, psychological, spiritual, moral, scientific, environmental, socio-political, global and topical and personal themes. Epica is also known for their wide use of orchestra and opera choirs.
In 2003, Epica's debut album The Phantom Agony was released through Transmission Records. Consign to Oblivion followed in 2005, and debuted at No. 12 in the Dutch charts. They moved labels to Nuclear Blast following Transmission's bankruptcy, and in 2007, released their third studio album The Divine Conspiracy, which charted at No. 9 in the Netherlands. 2009's Design Your Universe was met with yet greater success, debuting at No. 8 in the Dutch Albums Chart, and charting across Europe, also garnering much critical acclaim. Epica's fifth studio album Requiem for the Indifferent was released in 2012. Well received by critics, it achieved international success, entering the US's Billboard 200 at No. 104, and Japan's Oricon Albums Chart at No. 172.
At the beginning of May 2014 the band released their sixth album, The Quantum Enigma, which was a huge international success, debuting on No. 110 on US Billboard 200 and peaking at No. 4 in Epica's homeland Netherlands. In June 2015 Epica was awarded the Music Export Awards, which is given to the Dutch act with the most international success in the past year. Their seventh album, The Holographic Principle, was released in September 2016 to continued international success, equaling the peak chart position set by its predecessor in the Netherlands. The band released their eighth album, Omega, in February 2021. On 16 September 2022, the band announced their third EP, The Alchemy Project. It was released on 11 November 2022 via Atomic Fire.
Discography
The Phantom Agony (2003)
Consign to Oblivion (2005)
The Divine Conspiracy (2007)
Design Your Universe (2009)
Requiem for the Indifferent (2012)
The Quantum Enigma (2014)
The Holographic Principle (2016)
Omega (2021)
The Alchemy Project - EP (2022)
Current members:
Mark Jansen – rhythm guitar, unclean vocals
Coen Janssen – keyboards, synthesizer, piano
Simone Simons – lead vocals
Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums, spoken words
Isaac Delahaye – lead guitar, backing vocals
Rob van der Loo – bass
2. - Epica[ is an Italian prog rock band active in the 1990s who released the album Confini in 1995.
- Alessandro Secchi / vocals
- Alessandro Mantelli / keyboards, programming
- Alessandro Crovato / guitars
- Flavio Miotto / bass, guitars
- Gianni Ghezzo / drums
3. - Epica is a three person progressive/trance group from Russia.
Beyond Belief
Epica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know that's always better, faster
This is the final end
A voice in the wilderness
Fights in fear no more
Because this stronger death
More sold men before
Massive tears wake up
Shows what's to expect
Scores on top of scores
Racing for the future we don't have
Fear is taking over me
There is nothing I can see
The future is as certain
As life will come to an end
When time feels like a burden
We struggle with a certain death
Wisdom, knowledge, science
You know that's always better, faster
We have to guide ourselves
For we cannot stand
One more false pretense getting out of hand
Now fear is the driving force
Taking over us
And finding out this source
Made to know to be too much to bear
Fear is taking over me
There is nothing I can see
How could peace seem more to be
The future is as certain
As life will come to an end
When time feels like a burden
We struggle with a certain death
Wisdom, knowledge, science
You know that's always better, faster
Defeat the science, knowledge, wisdom
These words have always ever lasted
This is the final end
Vertigo, impossible
Vertigo, impossible
We store all that belongs to us
It depends, the way to speak
It depends, is what we say
We store all that was left behind
The future is as certain
As life will come to an end
When time feels like a burden
We struggle with a certain death
The future is as certain
As life will come to an end
When time feels like a burden
We struggle with a certain death
Wisdom, knowledge, science
You know that's always better, faster
Defeat the science, knowledge, wisdom
These words have always ever lasted
This is the final end
The lyrics of Epica's "Beyond Belief" seem to reflect on mankind's obsession with knowledge, science, and wisdom. The first verse states that these things are always preferred over anything else as they bring faster and better results. However, the song implies that this desire for knowledge is a double-edged sword that could also lead to fear and uncertainty about the future. The lines "The future is as certain as life will come to an end when time feels like a burden" convey the idea that, despite all our achievements, we cannot escape the inevitability of death.
The song also seems to suggest that fear is becoming the driving force behind humankind. The lines "now fear is the driving force taking over us" indicate that fear is overpowering individuals, becoming too much to bear, and leading to the downfall of humanity. The final lines of the chorus - "Defeat the science, knowledge, wisdom / These words have always ever lasted / This is the final end" - seem to challenge the very things that mankind has always been obsessed with, implying that they may not be the ultimate solution to all of humankind's problems.
Overall, "Beyond Belief" is a thought-provoking song that makes the listener reflect on whether our race to gain more knowledge and wisdom is really worth it if it comes at the cost of our peace and happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Wisdom, knowledge, science
Acknowledging the importance of gaining wisdom, knowledge, and science.
You know that's always better, faster
Recognizing that obtaining such knowledge is a quicker pathway leading to better outcomes.
This is the final end
Emphasizing the gravity of the impending reality.
A voice in the wilderness
A hopeless, yet determined cry for help.
Fights in fear no more
Describing a sense of relief after a battle against overwhelming dread.
Because this stronger death
Referring to the finality of death and how it imposes its authority above all else.
More sold men before
Acknowledging that many others have succumbed to the ultimate fate already.
Massive tears wake up
An emotional outburst that provides a glimpse of what's to come.
Shows what's to expect
Painting a vivid picture of the impending doom.
Scores on top of scores
Indicating the sheer volume of sorrow.
Racing for the future we don't have
Describing how people are pushing towards the inevitable future, irrespective of the consequences.
Fear is taking over me
The realization of the inevitability of death is engulfing and overwhelming the author.
There is nothing I can see
Acknowledging the hopelessness in the struggle to find meaning or purpose when life is so impermanent.
The future is as certain
Highlighting the inevitability of death, contrasting with the uncertainty of life.
As life will come to an end
Reiterating that mortality is a certainty for all living beings.
When time feels like a burden
Emphasizing how the construction of time can create a feeling of despair when its passage brings death and destruction.
We struggle with a certain death
Describing how humans find it difficult to come to terms with death, despite it being a certainty.
We have to guide ourselves
Indicating the need for self-awareness and a sense of direction in life.
For we cannot stand
Acknowledging the inevitability of the gravity of life and mortality.
One more false pretense getting out of hand
Rejecting the notion of false promises and unattainable ideals.
Now fear is the driving force
Reiterating that fear has taken over and is driving the actions and thoughts of humans.
Taking over us
Emphasizing the inescapable power of fear.
And finding out this source
Looking for the root cause of fear and its influence.
Made to know to be too much to bear
Revealing an overwhelming realization of the root cause of fear, which is too much to handle.
Vertigo, impossible
Conveying the sensation of dizziness or disorientation caused by the thought of mortality.
We store all that belongs to us
Highlighting the importance of ownership and holding on to things that matter to us.
It depends, the way to speak
Indicating that how we talk and communicate is subjective and dependent on context and perspective.
It depends, is what we say
Highlighting the subjectivity in linguistic expression.
We store all that was left behind
Suggesting that we hold on to memories of the past and things that are no longer with us.
Defeat the science, knowledge, wisdom
Rejecting the notion that knowledge and intelligence alone can save us from the inevitability of death.
These words have always ever lasted
However, the human quest for knowledge is persistent and enduring.
This is the final end
Reiterating the gravity and finality of what's to come.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elvis Costello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
on Our Destiny
Corrected - thank you Jordan
Jordan N
on Our Destiny
This should say that it is the fifth track on Epica's fourth studio album, "Design Your Universe", which was released in 2009.