EPICA : CLASSICAL INSPIRATION 

Miskolc, Hungary, June 2008. 40 musicians, a choir of 30 singers. A one-off event. But today this show is finally released, divided in three sections: a regular Epica set, soundtrack covers and re-orchestrated classical pieces. 28 titles to discover while patiently waiting for the new Epica studio album, due this fall.

Simone talks about it with enthusiasm.

-First of all, how do you feel today? Did you recover from your last years health problems?

-Simone: Yes, I feel much better… even if today, I have a cold! I wanted to finish this last tour, with this final gig in Paris, and did whatever possible to do it the best I could.

-Well, finally, this album, ‘Epica’s Classical Conspiracy’, will be out soon! How did it happen? Did the fans made pressure upon the label?

-Simone: No, we really wanted to do it, and recorded it at this occasion.

-Is it a chance to see it on DVD one day?

-Simone: No, I don’t think so, because the only images we have are from amateurs, the quality is not fantastic, and so we leave it to YouTube! But, if by miracle we find good stuff, we will see then…

-This records enlist 3 categories: Epica songs, soundtracks and classical music: how did you choose those in those two last parts?

-Simone: We were all fans of soundtracks and classical music, ‘Pirates of Caribbean’ or the Star Wars movie music, so we made lists, as for the classical stuff, and then studies the possibilities to do or not the tracks in question.

-Will this concert stay a unique event, or do you intend to do it again, with different pieces of music?

-Simone: It’s a big operation, enticing a lot of preparation, a lot of money and a lot of work, but we were so enthusiastic that I hope we’ll do it again, in the future, if we can.

-What was your goal, in doing this record: open the mind of the fans to other forms of music; show the spectrum or your tastes to them…?

-Simone: Both of them, really. Some metal fans already like classical music, but, generally, except some bands that combine them, as do Epica, you have to listen metal or classic. Here was a good occasion to combine the best of the both parts.

-We talked once about the idea for you to record an entire classical album: nothing new?

-Simone: Well, it’s still a project, but the show for the ‘Classical Conspiracy’ was a good opportunity for me to sing classical songs, even in a special environment. I had other songs I wanted to perform, but the time was too short to prepare them in time for the show.

-You told me Oliver participated to this record, for the arrangements…

-Simone: Yes, before the show, he worked during two months on the music, because he had to write again some parts, usually played by keyboards, for other instruments, and adapt some Epica songs for the classical orchestra

-Talking about him, Sons of Seasons will have his album out in some weeks: did you write for it or just sing?

-Simone: No, I’m just singing, but I could give my opinion on the songs, and the music too, which is not bad already.

-You’re posing on the two beautiful cover sleeves… will you go with on stage with them, or do more things in the future?

-Simone: Well, I’ve been on stage with them in Germany, for their first gig, and I wrote some vocal parts for the track ‘Wintersmith’. So, why not? If they want me, I’ll say yes. The thing is, when they recorded this album, I could only bring my opinion and my vocals. Now, as we live in the same house, things are far easier to see those songs be created and evolve, and I can be part of the process, more involved, as far as they want to!

-And your special jazz project with him?

-Simone: No, we didn’t really record anything, and we did only one show, for our friends. We’ll see in the future if we have time enough to do more about it. Beside, I’m busy with Epica, Oliver is busy with Sons of Seasons, Kamelot and other stuff, so I really don’t know.

-The Xystus / Equilibrio DVD: could you tell some words about it, and do you intend to perform with them again?

-Simone: There have been five shows only for this project, one being on the live DVD issued in March, and we made something for it in February. I was a great experience, a chance to meet new and great people and a possibility to participate to something new, a kind of musical where I sing three songs. I really don’t know if they will do it again in the future, or start something else. But again, if they call me, I’ll be there!

-I’ve read on the Epica website that you entered studio for a new album, some weeks ago, at the Gate Studio, in Wolfsburg, Germany: how are things going, and could you tell something about it? When will it be released?

-Simone: Things are going very well. We finished the pre production in January, we recorded drums and guitars, and now we are attacking the vocals. I did already three songs, but, as I have a cold, I alternate with Mark doing his grunting, and I guess I’ll record again next week. We have a new guitarist, Isaac, and, even if his style is different from Ad, ( who left last year) he totally fits to Epica music. We also recorded a cover from a Dutch punk band, Heideroosjes, for a tribute album. Normally, the album, with his fifteen songs, will be out this autumn, we have to see it with Century Media. You can check the progression of the record on: royalartistclub.com/epica.

-And about your own website?

-It’s still under construction, and it will be open when it will be possible, because we have some problems with the people who are hosting the site.

-When will we see Epica again in Paris?

-Simone: Well, first we’ll do some festivals, including the Hellfest, where maybe we’ll play some new songs, but, I hope we’ll be back in Paris in the autumn, maybe October of November, it depends of the planning. I would have loved to do it before the album goes out, but I guess it will be a little bit after that. The last gig of the last tour was great, despise the fact I was very sick. I did my best to do it to the end, and it was a great show. Beside, Io love Paris, and the, how do you call that? ‘Eclairs au chocolat’?

Bad for the body, good for the soul!

Interview made by phone on March 31st 2009.