Epica’s upcoming studio album, The Holographic Principle, will be released worldwide via Nuclear Blast Records on September 30th. Today the band release the lyric video for their first single, “Universal Death Squad". The song is an impressive first demonstration of what fans can expect from Epica’s sound in the year 2016.

"The first song we unleash upon you is “Universal Death Squad”,” states guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen. "This track is representative for The Holographic Principle, as it's a heavy and melodic album. The lyrics are dealing about advanced robotic legions with a self-determination to kill. We have chosen for a different kind of lyric-video concept in which EPICA plays the track in a rehearsal room. The song is very much fun to play and I expect this one will do very well on stage. Hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did creating it!"

Download the new single here.

The Holographic Principle was produced with Joost van der Broek at Sandlane Recording Facilities. Mixing was handled by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Destruction). The cover artwork for the new album was created by Stefan Heilemann. Pre-order various formats here.

Check out the tracklisting for the The Holographic Principle, as well as the content of the acoustic bonus CD and the instrumental CD.

Tracklisting:

“Eidola”
“Edge Of The Blade”
“A Phantasmic Parade”
“Universal Death Squad”
“Divide And Conquer”
“Beyond The Matrix”
“Once Upon A Nightmare”
“The Cosmic Algorithm”
“Ascension - Dream State Armageddon”
“Dancing In A Hurricane”
“Tear Down Your Walls”
“The Holographic Principle - A Profound Understanding Of Reality”

Acoustic Bonus CD
“Beyond The Good, The Bad And The Ugly”
“Dancing In A Gypsy Camp”
“Immortal Melancholy” (Acoustic Version)
“The Funky Algorithm”
“Universal Love Squad”
 
Instrumental CD
“Eidola”
“Edge Of The Blade”
“A Phantasmic Parade”
“Universal Death Squad”
“Divide And Conquer”
“Beyond The Matrix”
“Once Upon A Nightmare”
“The Cosmic Algorithm”
“Ascension – Dream State Armageddon”
“Dancing In A Hurricane”
“Tear Down Your Walls”
“The Holographic Principle – A Profound Understanding Of Reality”

The Holographic Principle Studio Documentary videos:

Part 1:

Part 2:

To celebrate the release of Epica’s brand-new record fittingly, the band will be playing on their own Epic Metal Fest at the 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands on Saturday, October 1st. They invited Katatonia, their label mates Fleshgod Apocalypse and (also landsmen) Textures to take part in this special event.

Additionally, Stream Of Passion, The Agonist, Mayan, Myrath, Evil Invaders and last but not least Off The Cross will be attending Epica’s release show. On Saturday 15th October the Brazilian edition of Epic Metal Fest will take place in Sao Paulo. Paradise Lost, Finntroll, Xandria and The Ocean will join Epica for this first edition. More info and tickets at this location.

Epica live:

August
5/6 - Zarasai City, Lithuania - Roko Naktys

October
1 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Epic Metal Fest Netherlands
15 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Epic Metal Fest Brazil

Epic will return this fall for the North American Principle Tour in support of The Holographic Principle. Epica will be joined on this trek by Italian symphonic death metal kings Fleshgod Apocalypse, Russian Pagan warriors Arkona, and their good friends in The Agonist.

The first three dates will see Germany’s Xandria as a replacement for Arkona. Tour kick off will be on November 4th in Quebec City and will conclude December 3rd in Worcester, MA.

Epica’s front woman Simone Simons commented on the tour: “The time has finally come to visit North America again. We are super excited to show you guys our kick-ass new material of which we are extremely proud! We hope to welcome you all to experience The Holographic Principle extravaganza!”

Tour dates:

November (with Fleshgod Apocalypse, Xandria, The Agonist)
4 - Imperial Theater - Quebec City, QC
5 - Corona - Montreal, QC
6 - Phoenix Concert Hall - Toronto, ON

November (with Fleshgod Apocalypse, Arkona, The Agonist)
8 - Concord Music Hall - Chicago, IL
9 - Cabooze - Minneapolis, MN
11 - Saskatoon Event Center - Saskatoon, SK
12 - Marquee - Calgary, AB
13 - The Ranch - Edmonton, AB
15 - Vogue Theatre - Vancouver, BC
16 - Studio 7 - Seattle, WA
18 - Social Hall - San Francisco, CA
19 - The Regent - Los Angeles, CA
20 - Vinyl at Hard Rock Hotel - Las Vegas, NV
22 - Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO
23 - Granada Theater - Lawrence, KS
25 - Gas Monkey Live - Dallas, TX
26 - Empire Control Room - Austin, TX
28 - State Theater - St Petersburg, FL
29 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA

December (with Fleshgod Apocalypse, Arkona, The Agonist)
1 - Soundstage Baltimore, MD
2 - Webster Hall - New York, NY
3 - Palladium - Worcester, MA

VIP / Meet and Greet Bundles and upgrades are on sale now via Soundrink.

VIP / Meet & Greet Bundle includes:

- Ticket to the show
- Meet & Greet plus photo opportunity with all the band members
- Separate signing cards of all band 6 band members
- Laminate + Lanyard
- Limited edition 7-inch vinyl with an exclusive (previously unreleased) song
- VIP-only exclusive tour shirt
- Early venue access
- Digital download of ‘The Holographic Principle’ on release date

German heavy metal giants Powerwolf and Epica are teaming up for an European tour in early 2017.

“Woohoow, this fall we're releasing our seventh studio album and the band has exciting times coming up! A new album means a new Epica chapter and obviously a new world tour. Early 2017 we'll join forces with our German friends in Powerwolf and together we'll storm stages allover Europe. If you want to hear our brand new songs come to live, if you want to see our brand new visuals and if you simply want to have a good time with us, we expect you on our biggest tour to date! I really can't wait to be back on the road again and to see the music, the energy and our lovely fans become one. Until then!,” commented Epica frontwoman Simone Simons.

Tour dates:

January
12 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
13 - Cologne, Germany - Palladium
14 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - MHP Arena
16. - Geneve, Switzerland - Salle des Fetes de Thonex
17 - Zurich, Switzerland - Volkshaus
20 - Munich, Germany - Tonhalle
21 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
24 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
25 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys
27 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
28 - Prague, Czech Republic - Forum Karlin

February
3 - London, England - Shepherds Bush Empire
4 - Paris, France - Zenith

Further dates of this tour to be announced at a later date. Tickets can be purchased on the bands’ websites: Powerwolf, Epica.