It has begun. Finally, the Epica guys are back in the studio, to record what will be their 6th album, the follow-up to the controversial. The new album, yet untitled, will be released via Nuclear Blast Records in the spring of 2014.This is what the band posted on Facebook: "As from today, Epica has entered the studio to begin the recordings of their follow up for. After an extensive pre-production, Arien will begin tracking drums together with producer Joost van de Broek at the Sandlane Recording Facilities in the Netherlands."Comments Mark Jansen: "We wrote about 18 new tracks for the album which we all will be recording. This puts us in a luxury position since we will be able to choose the best of these tracks for the album! So far the songs contain all known Epica elements, it is a balanced mix between old and new influences. We are extremely happy with all the material and can't wait to put it out there!" special release show has already been announced to take place in 013, Tilburg (NED) on the 30th of April 2014.Previously the band also stated that the new songs are "a mix between the good old days and the album."