EPICA

Epica emerged from the band Sahara Dust, which was founded in mid-2002 by Mark Jansen (grunts, guitar) together with Helena Iren Michaelsen (vocals), Ad Sluijter (guitar), Coen Janssen (keyboard) and Iwan Hendrikx (drums). After Helena Iren Michaelsen and Iwan Hendrikx left the band at the end of 2002, Simone Simons (vocals) and Jeroen Simons (drums) joined them. As fans of the band Kamelot, they renamed the band after their album Epica. In 2006 Jeroen Simons left the band to devote himself to other musical projects. He was replaced by Ariën van Weesenbeek (God Dethroned).