In a bold and emotional new chapter, symphonic metal giants EPICA have announced the release of their first-ever feature-length documentary in collaboration with Netflix — a film that promises to dive deep into the heart of the band’s story, with a poignant focus on the life and sacrifices of lead vocalist Simone Simons.
Titled “Symphonic Realms: The EPICA Chronicles,” the Netflix original documentary will be released worldwide on October 18, 2025, and run for 1 hour and 47 minutes. While chronicling EPICA’s meteoric rise and two-decade legacy, the film places a particular spotlight on Simons — the band’s soaring voice and emotional core.
Directed by acclaimed music documentarian Jonas Åkerlund, the film captures Simons not only as the powerful frontwoman commanding massive festival crowds, but also as a daughter, mother, and artist who has had to balance fame, exhaustion, illness, and the demands of constant touring with her personal life.
“This documentary peels back the layers of what it means to be a woman in metal,” Simons shares in the trailer. “I’ve missed birthdays, battled vocal damage, and wrestled with self-doubt. But I’ve also been given the most beautiful life through music. This is the raw truth.”
The documentary includes never-before-seen footage of Simons during her early days with the band, candid backstage moments, and emotional reflections on motherhood, mental health, and the pressure of being the face of a genre still fighting for broader acceptance.
EPICA co-founder Mark Jansen said, “Simone’s journey is the soul of this film. We wanted to honor everything she’s given — not just to EPICA, but to music. Her sacrifices, her voice, her presence have shaped everything we are.”
In addition to highlighting Simone’s journey, “Symphonic Realms” provides insight into the dynamics of a band that has endured the rigors of global touring, shifting lineups, and the evolving music industry while staying fiercely loyal to their creative vision.
Netflix’s global platform ensures that Simone’s story — and EPICA’s — will reach beyond the world of metal to touch audiences unfamiliar with the genre. It’s not just a film for fans; it’s a deeply human story of resilience, passion, and sacrifice.
For longtime supporters, this documentary offers an unprecedented, intimate look at the person behind the powerful voice — and for Simone, it’s a legacy piece. “If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a thing. But now the world will know what it took to get here.”
“Symphonic Realms: The EPICA Chronicles” premieres October 18, 2025, exclusively on Netflix.
