EPICA Guitarist Discusses 'Kingdom Of Heaven' Writing Process

October 9, 2009

Holland's FaceCulture has uploaded video footage of guitarist Mark Jansen of Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA discussing the writing process for the song "Kingdom of Heaven (A New Age Dawns - Part V)", which appears on the band's new album, "Design Your Universe". Watch the clip below.

"Design Your Universe" is scheduled for release in Europe on October 16 . The follow-up to 2007's "The Divine Conspiracy" was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany with producer Sascha Paeth.

"Design Your Universe" track listing:

01. Samadhi (prelude)
02. Resign to Surrender (A New Age Dawns - Part IV)
03. Unleashed
04. Martyr of the Free Word
05. Our Destiny
06. Kingdom of Heaven (A New Age Dawns - Part V)
07. The Price of Freedom (interlude)
08. Burn to a Cinder
09. Tides of Time
10. Deconstruct
11. Semblance of Liberty
12. White Waters
13. Design Your Universe (A New Age Dawns - Part VI)

EPICA will perform "Design Your Universe" in its entirety on November 6 at the first of two shows at Élysée Montmartre in Paris, France. The band will also play all of the new CD at the sold-out record-release party on October 10 at Paradiso in Amsterdam, Holland. The first 200 fans who make it through the door at Paradiso will receive a USB stick containing many exclusive, rare and previously unreleased EPICA tracks.

Jansen previously stated about the new CD: "It's been a great time at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg recording 'Design Your Universe'. We worked with the same team and we worked for the first time together with our new guitar player Isaac Delahaye [formerly of GOD DETHRONED]. This made a difference and made things very refreshing because we could add some new elements because of him. We have worked harder than ever on the details. We preferred to spend some extra money on great additions which brings our songs to a higher level instead of leaving things like they are. The result is that we worked so hard on this album that we hardly can listen to the album anymore. Now it's time to let it go and release it to humanity. We were already very happy with 'The Divine Conspiracy', but I'm sure this new album tops that one."

He added, "The album title, 'Design Your Universe', deals with new breakthroughs in quantum physics. It proves that we are all connected to each other on subatomic level. Also, it shows that we can create or at least influence matter with our thoughts… a very interesting fact. Because it changes everything for us, our whole worldview collapses once you accept these facts and integrate them in your lives. So this had to become the new album title."

The cover artwork for "Design Your Universe" can be viewed below (artwork by Stefan Heilemann).

EPICA will return to North America for a headlining tour in the beginning of 2010, with DAATH and BLACKGUARD as support. EPICA will offer fans a special VIP ticket which will grant them access to the venue an hour before door times, a pre-show meet-and-greet with EPICA and a event poster customized for the city of the show. Fans are urged to purchase these VIP tickets as only 50 are being allotted for each show.

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