For a popular band, Epica sure know how to keep the interest of their audience.

Their upcoming album ‘Requiem of the Indifferent’ is due out March 9th 2011 and to keep the fans on their toes the band have released part of ‘Monopoly on truth’ as a teaser. Why is this any different to any other band release? Because the band are releasing the track layer by layer starting with just the drums, they will slowly release each instrument one at a time so that you really understand the musical complexity that is behind the track.

For such an innovative creation as their latest album, the idea to release it in sections is fantastic and fans are encouraged by the idea and have created their own track accompaniments to try and guess what the overall sound will be.

Epica are a Symphonic Metal band from Finland. The group was founded in 2002 have released six albums prior to their latest creation and are known for their front woman’s beautiful vocals.

The current line-up for this band is fronted by Simone Simons (Lead Vocals), Mark Jansen (Guitars, Grunts and Screams), Isaac and Delahave (Guitars), Coen Janssen (Synths and Piano), Yves Huts (Bass) and last but not least Arien Van Weesenbeek (Drums).

Epica have had one hell of a history, with six prior albums, they have years of experience at providing good complex metal music that would please any metal fan.

Their first published album, ‘The Phantom Agony’ was released in June 2003 and began the career of dedicated musicians and composers with Simone being only 16 years old. In April 2005 the second awaited album was released, ‘Consign to the Oblivion’ followed shortly in September 2005 by ‘The Score’. Epica released their fourth album in 20097 and was called ‘The Divine Conspiracy.’ The most recent two albums were both released in 2009, one was live ‘The Classical Conspiracy’ and ‘Design your universe.’

Their best Album: Design your Universe (2009)
Best tracks: Tides of time

For more information visit the Epica website.

Written by Darkened Crucifix.

What do you get when you mix a standard symphonic metal band and throw in some occasional electro sounds? Nemesea. A band that through their history has been compared to After Forever and (on their latest album) Evanescence meets Within Temptation.

Formed in 2002 this Dutch vocalist led band has had a massive sound overhaul since the first two albums ‘Mana’ released in 2004 and ‘In Control’ released in 2007. The recent album ‘The Quiet resistance’ is said to be a mix of the first two albums. It will combine the heavy riffs with influences of pop and electronic sounds.

The current line-up for this band consists of Manda Ophuis (vocals), Hendrik Jan de Jong (guitar), Sonny Onderwater (bass), Frank Van der star (drums) and Lasse Dellbrugge (Keys).

Nemesea have been described in the past to have similar musical sounds to disbanded metal band After Forever staring Floor Jansen, now of ReVamp. However following the recent release in 2011 their music has been likened to Evanescence and Within Temptation.

Vocalist Manda has said previously that her lyrics go past the typical fairytale Gothic rock style; “Lyrics are very important. They can be comforting, but they can also shake things up. My lyrics are pieces of my life, personal experiences that I weave into little stories.

“ One of the central themes on this album is being in control, or losing it. “If you want to change things in your life, you just have to go for it.”

Best track: Afterlife
Best Album: ‘The Quiet Resistance (2011)
For more information visit their band website.

Written by Darkened Crucifix.

What do you get if a group of friends want to start a metal band but can’t play instruments? A Capella Metal. A totally new genre that makes you want to put down your guitar and make some noise!

Van Canto are an A Capella Metal band from Germany. The group was founded in 2006 and is comprised of a drummer and five singers who specialise in different vocal noises (bear with me here) including Rakkatakka vocals, dandan vocals and wahwah guitar vocals. Yes I am serious, these things do exist and is something you will not hear from any other metal band in the known universe.

The current line-up for this instrument lacking band consists of Dennis Schunke (Lead Vocals), Inga Scharf (Higher lead vocals), Stefan Schmidt (Lower Rakkatakka vocals and wahwah solo guitar vocals), Ross Thompson (Higher Rakkatakka vocals), Ingo Sterzinger (Lowest dandan vocals) and Bastian Emig (Drums).

Following their recent album release ‘Break the Silence’ Van Canto have now released four albums, all of which are unique to the last note. The first album ‘A Storm to Come’ was released in 2006 by General Schallplatten and includes a cover of Metallica’s song ‘Battery’.

In December 2007 Van Canto got signed up to record label Gun Records/Sony BMG, they signed shortly after replacing their previous drummer Dennis Strillinger. Shortly after this they announced they had started on their second album ‘Hero’ which was produced by Charlie Bauerfiend.

‘Tribe of Force’ their third album, produced by Strillinger and Napalm records was recorded in Twilight Hall Studios. Two of these are again covers of Metallica tracks; ‘Master of Puppets’ and ‘Rebellion’.
Van Canto have featured on Ex Nightwish front woman Tarja Turunen’s album ‘What lies beneath’ (‘Amteroom of death’)

Their best Album: Tribe of Force (2010)
Best tracks: Primo Victoria and Lost Forever.

For more information visit the bands website.

Written by Darkened Crucifix.

After a 3 year gap, Xandria are making their return and are stronger than ever with the addition of their new singer Manuela Kraller. With an operatic voice not to dissimilar to symphonic queen Tarja (Ex-Nightwish) the band are set to continue their epic career.

Xandria are a Symphonic Metal band from Germany. The group was founded by Marco Heubaum in 1997 who was inspired by bands such as Paradise Lost and Tiama. Xandria combines an infusion of symphonic metal and electronic rock sounds.

The current line-up for this amazing band consists of Manuela Kraller (Vocals – 2010 – present), Marco Heubaum (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards – 1997 – present), Phillip Restemeier (Guitar – 2001 – present), Nils Middelhauve (Bass – 2004 – present) and Gerit Lamm (Drums 1997 – present).

Xandria had a late start bringing their first album ‘Kill the sun’ into release in 2003 but before then they had various demos circulating and generating great success through different MP3 portals. With 5 album releases, ‘Kill the sun’ (2003), ‘Ravenheart’ (2004), ‘India’ (2005), Salomé – The seventh veil (2007) and ‘Now and Forever – The best of Xandria (2008), Xandria have created a solid fan base for themselves.

Xandria have changed their front woman numerous times in their history. They began with Lisa Middelhauve however due to discomfort at being the bands front woman and mentioning personal issues she resigned from the band in April 2008.

In February 2009 the band found Kerstin Bischof (Lakonia) who was previously known for her involvement with Axxis. After only one year Kerstin decided to leave to pursue a different career and for the concerts in 2010 Lisa returned to cover vocals for the band.

In December 2010 the band announced their new singer Manuela Kraller. At only 29, Kraller debuted in January 2011 at the ‘Classic meets pop’ event in Germany.

Manuela enjoys the musical stylings of Evanescence, Nightwish, Tarja and generally enjoys female fronted metal bands. She also enjoys reading popular books such as Harry Potter, Twilight and Lord of the Rings.

Considering the numerous vocalist changes, Xandria have never forgotten how to create brilliant melodic tunes with that famous symphonic metal sound. Following their release in 2004 of album ‘Ravenheart’ the band were really becoming popular and the band had a mystical quality to their already brilliant sound.

Their best Album: India (2005)
Best tracks: Vampire and Ravenheart

For more information visit their band website now

Written by Darkened Crucifix.

Indica are an all girl pop/rock band from Finland. The group was formed in 2001 and the band have been taking the world by storm ever since. Indica write songs that are guaranteed to leave you mystified and spell bound by their talent. Their individual style also helps them to have such a wide spread mass appeal to the alternative scene.

The five beautiful ladies that form this stunning group include Jonsu Salomma, the front woman for the band who not only sings, but also plays guitar, violin, keyboard and theremin, Heini Säisä on bass and vocals, Sirkku Karvonen performing on Keyboard and vocals, Jenny Julia on guitar and vocals and last but not least Laura Häkkänen on drums.

With a collaborative favourite bands list including Amy McDonald, Muse, Apocalyptica and Metallica, the band has their own individual quirks as well as working well as a group.

Following their diverse taste in bands the girls also have a differentiated view when it comes to favourite films. Spanning from one of Jonsu’s favourites, The Wizard of Oz, to Heini’s love of Tim Burton movies, the girls have all the genres covered.

Indica’s history began when the group formed in 2001. They then signed their first contract with Sony music in 2003 and their first album, Ikuinen Virta in 2004 has gone platinum in Finland since its release.

Indica joined Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish on their Scandinavian tour in 2007 and performed their hit tracks in English. Following this Nightwish Keyboardist Tuomus Holopainen helped the band produce their fourth and sixth albums. It was not only Nightwish that wanted to help this band out but also legendary composer Pip Williams, known for his help on producing albums for The Moody Blues and Status Quo.

Lead singer Jonsu has been writing ever since she was little, she began with two bar harmonies and has worked her way up to being the charismatic singer/songwriter we see today. To Jonsu, her biggest inspiration is drawn from the movies and nature.

Having created five previous albums, Indica released A Way Away in 2010 with all of their songs sung in English. French photographer Denis Goria has helped the band with their ‘Straight and Arrow’, which is available on Youtube.

In my opinion, this band has gone from strength to strength and the sky is the limit for these girls.

Their best Album: A way away.
Best track from that album: In Passing and Lilja’s Lament.

For more information visit the Indica website.

Written by Darkened Crucifix.