"I have realized that I am capable of far more than I ever assumed."

Your album Aspiral is about to be released. How do you feel during this exciting phase? Are you more nervous, or do you let the anticipation settle in calmly?

Simone: I'm excited, but in a very healthy way! We've already released three songs, plus The Ghost In Me (Danse Macabre), even though that track isn't on the album, and soon there will be a fourth single. The anticipation is growing, especially since the record has been finished since September last year. It feels like we've been sitting on a golden egg—we just want to finally share it with the world!

Not much longer now! But before we dive into the heart of Aspiral, let’s talk about the artwork. It was inspired by the bronze statue of the same name by Polish artist Stanisław Szukalski. What impressed you so much about his work that it became part of your creative process?

Simone: That actually came about through a series of coincidences. For example, we’re in contact with the creators of the Netflix documentary Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski, which explores the life of this artist. While in Los Angeles, we had the opportunity to see his works in person—and we were instantly fascinated.

When we started working on the album, Rob (bassist Rob van der Loo) wrote a song inspired by Szukalski. This song eventually became our title track. We were so excited about it that we immediately incorporated it into our sessions. I then started writing lyrics influenced by this artwork. At its core, it’s about creating something new from a world in ruins—a difficult path, but one that also grants strength. This theme appears throughout our songs.

Eventually, we decided that Aspiral was the perfect name for our album. However, many believe the entire record was inspired by Szukalski, but in reality, that inspiration is only reflected in the title track.

And what shaped and inspired the other songs?

Simone: There are many different influences! For one, this album marks the end of the A New Age Dawns series, which explores the awakening of a new consciousness in humanity—the realization that only collective action can save the world from destruction. Tarot cards, as well as legends and ghost stories from my homeland, the Netherlands, also influenced the lyrics. A great example is Hoensbroek Castle and the mysterious Blue Lady—a story definitely worth reading.

A completely different theme is addressed in Fight to Survive – The Overview Effect: The song captures the deeply moving feeling astronauts experience when they look at Earth from space and become aware of its fragility and beauty. This perspective fits perfectly with current discussions about climate change.

And finally, there is a very personal aspect to the album: Mark (vocalist and guitarist Mark Jansen) dedicated the song Darkness Dies In Light to his newborn daughter.

That’s quite a broad range of themes!

Simone: Absolutely! Our songs reflect both the darkness of the world and the hope that persists even in difficult times. We express this duality not only in the lyrics but also in the album artwork: The sun is always there—no matter how dark things seem, there is always the possibility to turn something negative into something positive. But without challenges and struggles, there is no progress—it’s how we grow as human beings.

These songs were created in a unique setting: You rented an entire house to fully focus on songwriting. How was that experience for you?

Simone: Yes, we did something similar for Omega (2021), but only for a week. Since that creative retreat was so beneficial, we planned three weeks for Aspiral, though spread out over several months. Three consecutive weeks wouldn’t have been possible, as most of us have kids who need their moms or dads.

Between these writing camps, each of us worked individually on the songs. This allowed us to build on our ideas during each new session and refine them further. For us, this is the best way to write music, as we don’t all live in the same country. Through this shared time, we could fully immerse ourselves in the creative process—away from daily life and distractions.

Did you have the house all to yourselves, or was someone else there?

Simone: Our producer, Joost van den Broek, was there as well, which made the entire process even more intense. It was a special experience: In the mornings, we had breakfast together, during the day we worked with full dedication on the music, and in the evenings, we cooked together.

Were there any memorable moments from that time that you particularly cherish?

Simone: Oh yes, so many! I always fondly remember how music filled every room because everyone was working on songs at the same time. At night, I was often already in bed and couldn’t sleep while Isaac (guitarist Isaac Delahaye) was still playing guitar late into the night. But I didn’t mind—I was curious and thought, “Wow, this is going to be amazing.”

Our house was also on a small farm that we shared with a lot of chickens. They often wandered through our living room and, well… left their marks.

And who had the honor of cleaning up those marks?

Simone: (laughs) I did it a few times. Changing diapers is one thing, but cleaning up chicken poop is on another level.

Good point! But at least it was “just” chickens.

Simone: (laughs) Yes, luckily, there were no cows—I definitely wouldn’t have cleaned up after them!

So, the writing process was somewhat similar to your first album. But what makes this new work unique compared to your previous ones?

Simone: With Aspiral, we didn’t necessarily aim to modernize, but rather to evolve and explore new musical horizons as a band. After Omega, we experimented a lot while working on The Alchemy Project (2022), collaborating with many different artists. That experience was very rewarding, and the feedback from our fans was great. So, we decided to continue that experimental approach in our new work.

How did the recording process go?

Simone: It was different again this time. For The Alchemy Project, the guys—drums, guitar, and bass—recorded together, which isn’t common since instruments are usually recorded separately. This approach gave the music a more authentic, live feel, and we applied that same technique to this album.

What makes Aspiral truly special is the balance between orchestral elements and the band. We made a conscious effort to ensure that each instrument had its space, so the music could breathe without feeling overloaded.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. I feel like we’ve taken another big step forward as a band. Of course, we’re older now, the pandemic is behind us, and we’ve grown wiser. But we’re still eager to explore new musical realms and make Epica even more beautiful and fascinating.

Which musical direction are you referring to?

Simone: We experimented a lot on Aspiral, and it worked well. Right now, I don’t have a specific idea for what’s next. Personally, I love Rammstein’s sound and Industrial Metal in general. It would be interesting to explore something like The Alchemy Project again—maybe with new artists. We’ll see what fits Epica best!

Last year in August, you released your solo debut album Vermillion, where you showcased a slightly different, more rock-oriented vocal style. Would you say that Vermillion influenced Aspiral in any way?

Simone: Absolutely! Vermillion gave me the opportunity to experiment a lot. I recorded my vocals directly with Arjen (Arjen Anthony Lucassen of Ayreon), and we tried out many different things. Through this experience, I not only discovered new facets of my voice but also gained more confidence. I realized that I am capable of far more than I ever assumed—and that newfound confidence is reflected in Aspiral.

Finally, if Aspiral were a movie, what genre would it be?

Simone: A grand fantasy epic, like The Lord of the Rings—but with a different message. Instead of destroying a ring, our story would use it as a symbol of hope, strength, and enlightenment.

And who would be the perfect cast?

Simone: Definitely Ian McKellen—Gandalf himself! He has an incredible presence, a soothing aura, and a voice that captivates instantly. He would be perfect as the narrator of Aspiral’s story.

Thank you so much for the interview, Simone!