Epica op Graspop 2025

The symphonic female-fronted metal band has earned its current status through talent, hard work and excellent music. The powerful voice of frontwoman Simone Simons is the perfect match with the grunts of mastermind Mark Jansen but the other band members, including Belgian guitarist Isaac Delahaye, also made a vital contribution in blending gothic and epic melodic metal into a varied sound generously sprinkled with orchestral passages. Founded in 2002, the Dutch formation celebrated their breakthrough with 2007’s ‘The Divine Conspiracy’, an album that broadcast their name to the farthest-flung corners of the world. ‘The Holographic Principle’ (2016) made Epica a top-tier band and 2021’s ‘Ωmega’ is the most recent chapter in their ongoing saga. Not only did they make an adaptation of French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ famous composition ‘Dance Macabre’ (1874) for the opening of a new ride in De Efteling, they also released their new single ‘Arcana’, the prelude to a new chapter that will come to fruition next year. We’re sure you’ll give them a warm reception for their tenth appearance in Dessel! #GMM25