The Road to Paradiso

The Road to Paradiso is a book about the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica (written in both Dutch and English) which was accompanied by a compilation album of the same name. It was released on May 4, 2006, on the same night they performed at Paradiso in Amsterdam. The title The Road to Paradiso was given to the project because the book contained the story of how Epica developed from their beginning days in 2002, until what they had become in 2006. The album also includes demo versions of three of their previous released songs, effectively giving insight into how their songs developed. The album includes four previously unreleased tracks: The Fallacy, Linger (Piano version) (a different version of which appeared on the 'Quietus' single), Crystal Mountain (orchestral version) (from the 'Quietus' single) and Purushayita (a very different version of 'Vengeance is Mine' from 'The Score' album). The release of the album and book was announced on January 16, 2006 on the official website of Epica. The band stated that they wanted this album and book "to be made for the fans, but also by the fans".