There are multiple artists using this name.
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.

Stay the Course
Epica Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Stay the course
Unregarded what the others think
Follow through your goals

Stay the course
Be impassive what all the others want
Go your own way

Stand focused, stay strong

Stay the course
And regardless what the critics say
Seek your golden road

Stay the course
Be hard and fast
Reach out, achieve your goals
Chase your own dreams
Stay faithful, prolong

Veils that cover the sacred treasures
That no one dares imbibe
Those proclaiming different views
Were long ago proscribed
I should warn you, it’s deadly to abide
Instead I taught you to bow and toe the line

Fear is what you breathe
Disagree
Guidance what you need
For all the chances you will never see
Trust in me!

Notice the anomalies
Erase them from your memory

Fight, dismay,
Deny the disarray!
Just keep them far away from you and fight
With all your might!

Stay the course
Show no remorse
Terminate all that deters

I should Warn you to never compromise
Instead I want you believing the disguise

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Epica's "Stay the Course" revolve around the idea of following one's own path, despite criticism, opposition or peer pressure. The song encourages listeners to be steadfast in their personal goals and beliefs, even if those are unpopular or unappreciated by others. The repeated refrain "Stay the course" emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving success.

The song also tackles the theme of conformity versus individuality, with the lyrics warning against blindly adhering to societal norms or expectations. The lines "Veils that cover the sacred treasures / That no one dares imbibe / Those proclaiming different views / Were long ago proscribed" suggest a restrictive and oppressive environment that discourages free thought or dissent. The verses address the listener directly, urging them to resist these pressures and hold on to their own values.

The last verse takes a darker turn, as the lyrics imply that the listener's guidance and mentor may have ulterior motives or even malicious intentions. The lines "I should warn you to never compromise / Instead I want you believing the disguise" hint at manipulation and deception, and contrast with the empowering messages of the rest of the song.

Overall, "Stay the Course" is a powerful anthem of self-empowerment and independence, tempered with a cautionary note about staying true to oneself and being wary of external influences.

Line by Line Meaning

Stay the course
Persist in your direction

Unregarded what the others think
Don't let others opinions affect your path

Follow through your goals
Complete your objectives

Be impassive what all the others want
Don't be influenced by the wants of others

Go your own way
Pursue your own path

Stand focused, stay strong
Maintain your resolve and strength of purpose

And regardless what the critics say
Don't be affected by criticism

Seek your golden road
Find your path to success

Be hard and fast
Be unwavering and committed

Reach out, achieve your goals
Take action to accomplish your objectives

Chase your own dreams
Pursue what you desire

Stay faithful, prolong
Maintain your devotion and continue

Veils that cover the sacred treasures
Mysteries that few are willing to explore

That no one dares imbibe
Challenging concepts that few are willing to accept

Those proclaiming different views
Individuals expressing contrary opinions

Were long ago proscribed
Were silenced or excluded previously

I should warn you, it’s deadly to abide
Following these taboo views could lead to harm

Instead I taught you to bow and toe the line
Instead I encouraged conformity and acquiescence

Fear is what you breathe
Fear is pervasive in your life

Disagree
Challenge the status quo

Guidance what you need
You require direction

For all the chances you will never see
For all the opportunities you will miss

Trust in me!
Rely on me for guidance

Notice the anomalies
Observe the inconsistencies

Erase them from your memory
Ignore these differences

Fight, dismay,
Engage in the struggle, despite the distress,

Deny the disarray!
Reject the chaos

Just keep them far away from you and fight
Distance yourself from these distractions and focus on your objectives

With all your might!
With all your strength

Show no remorse
Don't feel regret

Terminate all that deters
Eliminate all obstacles

I should Warn you to never compromise
I recommend that you remain committed to your perspective

Instead I want you believing the disguise
I encourage you to accept falsehoods and illusions

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: AMANDA SOMERVILLE, ARIEN VAN WEESENBEEK, COEN J. JANSSEN, ISAAC DELAHAYE, MARK JAN JANSEN, MARKUS H J MARK JANSEN, SASCHA PAETH, SIMONE J.M. SIMONS, YVES FLORENT ROBERT HUTS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS