About the band
Epinikion is an epic symphonic metal band from the Netherlands. The band is founded in 2020 by Renate de Boer on keys and Robert Tangerman on guitar. To complete the album 'Inquisition', they worked together with session mucisians Eleonora Damiano on vocals, Levent Gasgil on lead guitar and Emre Demir on bass.
In late 2023 Kimberley Jongen joined on vocals, together with Maarten Jungschläger on lead guitar and Rutger Klijn on bass guitar. Kjell de Raes will join on drums for the live shows.
After Robert and Renate had ended their topsport careers, Robert came up with the idea to do something in music. The combination of his electric guitar and Renate’s classical piano almost naturally lead to the choice for symphonic metal music. As a bandname they chose ‘Epinikion’, which means ‘hymne for the winner’. In Ancient Greece the heroic stories of athletes were sung in an epinikion after their victories at major events. A phoenix was added to the band logo, as a sign of athletes resurrected from their ashes as musicians. As a result of the passion and sports mentality of Robert and Renate, the band evolved rapidly. It gave rise to the need of professional music production. From the very beginning Epinikion combined heavy guitar riffs with subtle progressive and heavy metal influences, completed with harmonic and bombastic orchestral lines. The typical Epinikion sound is described as ‘epic, cinematic with captivating melodic lines. Refreshing symphonic metal with a personal twist’.
About 'Inquisition'
The story
The story begins when a woman named Eleonor, was brought before the Inquisition. She is on trial for heresy, which is charged to her by the Spanish inquisitor in the Netherlands, the father of her beloved Luca. The charge is heresy and since Eleonor and her family are Protestants, that is enough to imprison her. The real reason is her relationship with the son of a Spanish nobleman and inquisitor, Luca. Looking back, Eleonor meets Luca at the market, does not know who he is but is immediately in love. She knows her love for Luca is being disapproved and that she notices a strange kind of jealousy. This is a forbidden relationship but who can help her? She has fled into the dark forest to hide and be safe. But she can’t stay there forever. Luca wants to fight for the relationship and rebels. In Eleonor’s "fight" to survive, she must make it clear that her accuser is a big con artist himself. After having so much proof by witnesses and many adventures to reveal the truth, people openly and freely talk about the terrible stories they no longer want to be part of. Eleonor and Luca celebrate their victory and stay together. The moral of the story: before you judge, take a step back and look from a different perspective. Go into a story with an open mind, you can come to solutions that may have always been there for the taking but that you never saw!
Tracklist
- The Council of Troubles
- Inquisition
- Love So Sublime
- Welcome to the Wonderful World of Jealousy
- Stand Up and Fight
- On the Brink of Despair
- In the Middle of The Night
- Sail Away
- False Faced Demon
- If I Could Turn Back Time
- Strangers in the Dark
- The Courage to Change
Guest artists
- Eleonora Damiano - Vocals
- Levent Gaşgil - Lead Guitars
- Emre Demir - Bass
- Loek Verlaan - Stand Up and Fight
- Tamara Bouwhuis - In the Middle of The Night
- Laura Guldemond - False Faced Demon
- Monique de Bruin - If I Could Turn Back Time
- Debby Zimmermann - If I Could Turn Back Time
This is probably one of the best albums of this genre I have heard in recent years.
Overall great ideas, voice, and execution. The songs are well constructed and arranged, the melodic lines are beautiful and captivating. In particular, I like "False Faced Demon" and "In The Middle of the Night", excellent symphonic-metal!
The album "Inquisition" is the best proof of what happens when you pursue your goals courageously, creatively and imaginatively. In that case, a phenomenal debut!
Epinikion does provide a rather unique take on the saturated symphonic metal subgenre. The songs on their “Inquisition” debut are multi-faceted and don’t just rely on operatic vocals or keyboards, instead, they bring a harmonious sound that reminds me of Visions Of Atlantis, Delain, Within Temptation and other classic symphonic acts without acting as a mere copy of their respective styles.
'False Faced Demon' has an appropriate atmosphere for a rock opera. Powerful and because of the slower tempo, also builds a great atmosphere of tension and curiosity.
The longer the better they say.....and yes they are right. This is 6.36 minutes of awesome music. The new Epinikion, 'False Faced Demon'.
Live 2023
Press:
Mike de Coene - mike@hardlifepromotion.nl