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Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band formed in 2002 by Mark Jansen, following his departure from the band After Forever. The band is known for combining elements of metal with symphonic orchestrations, choirs, and classical music influences, creating a grand and powerful sound. The band's lyrics often address philosophical, religious, and social issues, with an approach that blends epic melodies and the intensity of metal.

The band's original line-up included Mark Jansen (guitar and guttural vocals), Simone Simons (lead vocals), Ad Sluijter (guitar), Yves Huts (bass), Coen Janssen (keyboards) and Jeroen Simons (drums). Simone Simons, with her lyrical soprano voice, has become one of the band's trademarks, standing out for her ability to switch between smooth and powerful vocals.

The band's debut album, The Phantom Agony (2003), was produced by Sascha Paeth and featured the band's signature sound, blending elements of gothic and symphonic metal with lyrics that explored spiritual and philosophical themes. This album included tracks such as "Cry for the Moon" and "The Phantom Agony," which quickly became fan favorites.

In the following years, Epica continued to expand their sound with albums such as Consign to Oblivion (2005), which was inspired by the Mayan civilization and featured an even more elaborate and orchestral sound. The album The Divine Conspiracy (2007) marked a turning point in the band's career, being the first concept album that explored the idea of a divine conspiracy in the creation of religions. From this point, the band began to gain international recognition.In 2009, Epica released Design Your Universe, which is widely considered one of the band's best albums. The album addressed themes of personal empowerment and spiritual exploration, and included tracks such as "Unleashed" and "Martyr of the Free Word," which became milestones in the band's career.

The band continued to evolve with releases such as Requiem for the Indifferent (2012), The Quantum Enigma (2014), and The Holographic Principle (2016). These albums showed a band that continued to expand their musical horizons, exploring complex themes such as quantum physics, virtual reality and the nature of existence.

In 2021, Epica released Omega, their eighth studio album, which was very well received by critics and fans alike. The album continued to explore philosophical and spiritual themes, with even grander production and a mix of symphonic and heavy elements.

Epica is widely recognized as one of the leading bands in symphonic metal, with a dedicated fan base around the world. The band is known for its spectacular live performances, which often include live orchestrations and choirs, creating a truly epic experience. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Epica continues to be an innovative and influential force in the global metal scene.