Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen (born 15 December 1978) is a Dutch guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. A prominent figure in the symphonic metal subgenre, he is known for his work with the bands After Forever (1995–2002), Epica (2002–present), and MaYaN (2010–present).
Mark Jansen | |
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Mark Jansen playing at Wacken Open Air, in 2018. | |
Background information | |
Born | Reuver, Netherlands | 15 December 1978
Genres | Symphonic metal, progressive metal, death metal |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
Instruments | Guitar, vocals, keyboards |
Years active | 1995–present |
Associated acts | Epica, MaYaN, After Forever |
Career
After Forever (1995–2002)
As guitarist, Jansen founded After Forever with Sander Gommans, and was one of the main songwriters since their debut album Prison of Desire. He left After Forever in 2002, and after his departure, the band took a new musical direction.
Epica (2002–present)
Jansen started a new symphonic metal band called Sahara Dust, which was later renamed Epica. His girlfriend at the time, Simone Simons, joined the band in 2003. In both After Forever and Epica, he has performed growled vocals, complementing the vocals of, respectively, Floor Jansen (no relation) and Simone Simons.
MaYaN (2010–present)
In 2010, Jansen announced that he and former After Forever keyboardist Jack Driessen have formed another band called MaYaN.[1] Unlike his other bands, Jansen sings but does not play guitar. The band released their debut album Quarterpast in spring 2011.
United Metal Minds (2018–present)
Recently, Jansen has launched the international musical project United Metal Minds.[2]
Private life
Jansen was born in Reuver, Netherlands, and has a master's degree in psychology.[3][4][5] His girlfriend is Laura Macrì.[6] In the past, he had a relationship with Simone Simons; the relationship ended in 2005, shortly after the release of Consign to Oblivion.[7]
Discography
Albums
- Prison of Desire (2000)
- Decipher (2001)
Singles
- "Follow in the Cry" (2000)
- "Emphasis/Who Wants to Live Forever" (2002)
- "Monolith of Doubt" (2002)
Albums
- The Phantom Agony (2003)
- Consign to Oblivion (2005)
- The Divine Conspiracy (2007)
- Design Your Universe (2009)
- Requiem for the Indifferent (2012)
- The Quantum Enigma (2014)
- The Holographic Principle (2016)
- Omega (2021)
Singles
- "The Phantom Agony" (2003)
- "Feint" (2004)
- "Cry for the Moon" (2004)
- "Solitary Ground" (2005)
- "Quietus (Silent Reverie)" (2005)
- "Never Enough" (2007)
- "Chasing the Dragon" (2008)
- "Unleashed" (2009)
- "Martyr of the Free Word" (2009)
- "This is the Time" (2010)
- "Storm the Sorrow" (2012)
- "Forevermore" (2012)
- "Essence of Silence" (2014)
- "Unchain Utopia" (2014)
- ”Universal Death Squad” (2016)
- ”Edge of the Blade” (2016)
- "The Solace System" (2017)
- "Crimson Bow and Arrow" (2018)
- "Abyss of Time - Countdown to Singularity" (2020)
- "Freedom - The Wolves Within" (2020)
- "Abyss o'Time" (2020)
DVDs
- We Will Take You with Us (2004)
- Retrospect (2013)
Other releases
- Cry for the Moon (demo, 2002)
- The Score – An Epic Journey (2005)
- The Road to Paradiso (book and compilation, 2006)
- The Classical Conspiracy (live, 2009)
Studio albums
- Quarterpast (2011)
- Antagonise (2014)
- Dhyana (2018)
Guest appearances
- Adyta – "The Cognition Concept" in Katarsis (EP) (2011)
- Diabulus in Musica – "Blazing a Trail" in The Wanderer (2012)
- ReVamp – "Misery's No Crime" in Wild Card (2013)
- AGES – "Heinous Nemesis" (2014)
- Countermove: The Power of Love (2014) Charity single for The Red Cross, originally by Frankie Goes to Hollywood – vocals
- Carthagods – "a last sigh" in Carthagods (2015)
- 3rd Machine – "Ultimate Intelligence" in Quantified Self (2016)
- AKHETH - "The Asylum" (2017)
- Dream Ocean - "Never Enough" in Lost Love Symphony (2018)
Notes and references
- User, Super. "MaYaN Biography". mayanofficial.com. Retrieved 2018-03-27.
- "United Metal Minds". unitedmetalminds.com. Retrieved 2019-02-17.
- "Members". Epica. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- "Facebook page". Retrieved June 5, 2015.
- "An Interview with Epica's Mark Jansen". Metal Underground. June 16, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-03-10. Retrieved 2017-10-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Epica interview - Mark Jansen (part 2)". YouTube. FaceCulture. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mark Jansen. |
- Profile at the official Epica site
- Interview with Mark Jansen (October 2007)
- Mark Jansen introduces "Kingdom of Heaven" (part 1 of 2) on YouTube
- Mark Jansen introduces "Kingdom of Heaven" (part 2 of 2) on YouTube
- Mark Jansen interview – Getting Sander (After Forever) for The Divine Conspiracy on YouTube
- Mark Jansen interview – Relationship with Simone on YouTube