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First of all, I want to thank you for this chance!
Ariën: You're welcome!
- Let's start with Retrospect, Epica's anniversary show with a 70-piece orchestra, choirs, international guests, and many special effects. Can you tell me more about this event?
Ariën: It was a very special project for us, and a true highlight in our 10-year journey. We organized an extra big show at the 'Klokgebouw' in Eindhoven (the Netherlands), a big concert hall with a capacity of 4500 people. We had a great time preparing for this event, which was a huge deal of work though, but definitely worth it! It was great fun to work with the Miscolcj orchestra again, with whom we worked in 2008 during the Classical Conspiracy project. It all slowly came together during the days prior to the show, and it was very cool to see how everything fell into place during the rehearsals, up to the point of the show itself. It was a huge thrill for us to play such a show, with a full orchestra, choir, pyro-effects, acrobats... and for such an amazing crowd!! We wanted to celebrate this event with our fans in a way that it would leave an extra big impression on everybody who was there, and for everybody who's going to see the Blu-ray and DVD. I think we got to a milestone in our career with Retrospect.
- After the Retrospect movie theater premieres in many places, it's officially out on November 26. Are you satisfied with the feedback so far?
Ariën: We got a lot of positive reviews, and all our fans are very happy with the outcome of the live recordings!! I'm very satisfied with the feedback and reactions so far!
- As special guests, there were Ad Sluijter, Yves Huts, and Jeroen Simons. How did these people positively affect Epica's path and participate in achieving what the band is now?
Ariën: I think that they are happy for us and how we got to the point that we are now. They had a lot of fun being on stage again and playing a song with their old bandmates. It was cool, and I think they're proud as well to have been part of Epica for such a long time.
- Do you think Epica has changed after these 10 years?
Ariën: Yes, I do, especially musically and professionally we have grown a lot. We've been touring a lot lately, and every time we are on stage, we grow in experience and performance. And throughout the years, we learned from things we maybe should have done differently.
- How do you see the band in another 10 years from now?
Ariën: Still alive, healthy, touring, having fun doing what we do.
- Does Epica still have goals to achieve?
Ariën: It would be awesome to do an arena tour!! Bigger crowds, more energy - everything to a higher plan.
- Let’s talk a bit about the future. Can you tell me more about your upcoming events?
Ariën: We'll be touring and promoting our new upcoming album. We'll start playing festivals first next year, then we'll be touring North-, Central-, and South-America, Europe, and for the rest, we'll be planning to do more.
- You’re now recording a new album. Can you tell us a bit about it and its release?
Ariën: I can't tell too much about it, except that it's going to be a beautifully brutal crystal-clear heavy album!! Lot of catchy songs to bang your head off!!
- And in the end, the question that has been asked by all your fans here: are you planning on playing any shows in Morocco?
Ariën: We don't have anything planned in Morocco so far, but who knows; I'd be up to it for sure!
