Epica, is one of the current most important and I´d say also influential symphonic metal bands. The band has become very successful since the band was formed in 2003. I had a chance to talk to Mark Jansen, guitarist and vocalist of the band, who releaved to me many interesting and very important information as well as some plans for the future and, of course, the secret of their success. Mark also would like to invite you all to their show which will take place in a few days in Bratislava. 

Epica is on scene of metal music from 2003. It´s like 7 years now. You have already make as strong position as many older bands. How did you manage it?

By working very hard and making music from the heart. People appreciate that. We don't follow any styles, we just do what we feel like doing with full dedication. Every year we made some steps forward and got better slots on festivals. It feels great when your music gets rewarded that well and play in between of older bands on mainstages. Of course we also still play some smaller stages in some countries but we don't mind as we have fun anyway with what we're doing.

What do you think is the secret of your success?

Like I said it's the dedication to the music and making this music with the right intentions. We're living our dream and it feels great that something that started in my mind grew into something of this proportion. We are also very thankfull towards our fans, because without them all of this wouldn't be possible. We have also very loyal fans, once an Epica fan means in almost all cases, fan for a lifetime.

There were many other symphonic metal bands in the time when you started to play.Why did you actually decide to play this kind of metal music? What was your inspiration?

It's not a decision what music to pay, it just happens. I started After Forever in 1995. There were not that many female fronted metal bands at that time. When I parted ways with After Forever I wanted to keep on going with the music that I loved so much. I got inspired by the Gathering and Orphanage to integreate female vocals in metal.

Did you have any, let´s say, idols? And if so, why and who was it?

When I was a kid: Slash was my idol and Jim Morrison as well.

What´s your opinion on current “female fronted“ metal scene?

There are quite some great bands around. Most of them are the established ones but there are also some great newcomers. Nevertheless there's also a bunch of bands that just try to get some quick success by copying the other bands. The tendency is that many of the bands got a bit softer after some years. Epica on the contrary became heavier.

What do you think is the way to be different that the other bands?

I think too many bands try to copy the success formula of other bands. We always focus on our own strength and taste. So we develop ourselves in directions that not many people expected from us. Since the Phantom Agony, we developed from gothic metal into progressive symphonic death metal.

You have been recording and releasing new album almost every year? What now? Are you preparing some new material or you´ll have some kind of break?

I've been working on my new band MaYaN a lot. This debut album will be released by May 20th. It was time to focus on something different. Now my mind is free to work on the new Epica album again. 12 songs are written already but still a lot of details need to be worked out :) A break is a word that doesn't appear in my dictionary ;-)

Many female singers from other bands started to play their own music. I mean, for example, Floor Jansen, Liv Kristine or Tarja Turunen. What about Simone Simons? Is there any intention like that? I mean not to split up the band but maybe to do some “side project“?

Yes she'll start working on a side project as well. And she's one of the MaYaN singers.

I´ve seen many videos and picture of Simone and Floor? Are they working on some special stuff? If so, what´s that?

Yes that's the MaYaN album they have been working on. They'll sing together in some songs. A unique experience as they have never recorded anything together before.

Is there any person you´d like to do a duet with her or him?

I would like to work with Mikael Åkerfeldt  in the future. He's an amazing singer/grunter.

During that 7 years, you´ve been playing with orchestra, you have already released a “best of“ compilation and also a DVD, you´re touring all over the world etc. What´s next? What are your plans for the future?

We would like to make a DVD of a concert with the Hungarian orchestra. But that recording will probaby take place at the end of 2012. We're planning it :)

Is there any dream you´d like to come true?

I'd love to play in Japan, Asia in general and Australia one day.

Do you have any special message for your Slovakian fans?

Yes, we look very much forward to the show we're gonna play in Slovakia!!! 23-03-2011 Majestic Music Club, Bratislava Slovakia. Hope to see you all there!

Thank you very much for your time and for this interview!

You're welcome :)