Welcome to the huge and marvelous rabbit hole called Epica. This is for me one if not the best band in the world. They work so well together. You have so much to discover. They are really creative.
New subscriber here my friend. Just a great breakdown reaction here. I won’t add much because many have given much information on this premier band that now and then comes down from Mount Olympus to grace us with the best in symphonic metal. I will add that Rob Vanderloo, The bassist is one of the coolest guys in music kingdom and a phenomenal bassist and he composed his a lot of their music and he was the composer for this song why I have such a great base front line. Ari The drummer is one of the best in business and has Deathcore metal roots, He’s got calves the size of softballs and the guy is a articulate beast on the skins. As far as archangel Simone she is by far my favorite metal vocalist her voice is so pure her ability to go from head to chest voice is so smooth like hardly any other and her pitch is as perfect as Tommy Karevick’s with Kamelot. I am thankful to many very good symphonic metal bands that I enjoy like Nightwish, Xandria, Therion, Within Temptaion etc, that were my gateway up to the summit of Mount Olympus and Epica. And yes they are best live you’ve gotten great suggestions here on that front. I hope you go down this Epica rabbit hole for indeed you will continue to be amazed this is just a teeny bit of the iceberg.
As a fellow bass player, I find that some of my favourite Epica songs, including Arcana, are often the ones written by their bass player Rob. The 5 guys in the band write the music, each song has a primary writer and then the other 4 guys write their parts based on the vision of the main writer. After that either Simone or Mark (growls and rythm guitar) write the lyrics. There is definately synths in their latests music, but for the last 3 albums and the upcomming 9th album, they have traveled to Prague to record with an orchestra. You should really react to some of their live videos, they are absolutely amazing live, almost studio quality with the energy of a live concert
If you're a sound engineer you have to listen to them live, in particular anything from their Retrospect or Symphonic Synergy concerts where, as the name sugests, they play live with a full orchestra and choir.
it was cool to hear the bare bass and drums, it sounds really cool, thanks. Absolutely gorgeous ending to the song, I love it. the song itself is good of course, but the ending.. makes it 10 levels higher 😈 thanks again for the analysis
Epica is incredible. They have countless pieces that will blow your mind. Their sound was unique and amazing since their debut album back in 2002 and evolved to stellar level since then. Check this epic piece to hear how they sound live with full orchestra and choir on stage in a special concert in 2013 - Epica - Design Your Universe - Retrospect live
Yes, I loved this reaction. Thank you so much for isolating the bass and drums, as I love Epica's rhythm section. I love Robs bass tones. And 'The Beast' on drums. Every member of this band is top tier, and Simone's voice does things to me. They are my favourite symphonic band, and I put them up with Opeth, Jinjer and Igorrr as being my favourite metal bands. I love the contrast all of these bands have within any given song. I planned my trip to the UK from New Zealand around seeing these guys live in Amsterdam, where I heard this song for the first time. (pretty sure it was the songs debut) And they had a full orchestra, choir, kids choir, amazing set of back ground singers. It was so epic(a). Normally they play with tracks as they can't travel with that kind of set-up. These guys were on my bucket list to see live. And can I say - Simone's voice live... omg. I'll stop there, I could gush about this band for hours. Would love to see you react to a live set - literally pick anything. It's all good. You might get something brutal, you may get something beautiful.... Actually I will make a suggestion for some beautiful Epica. Rivers with Apocalyptica ruclips.net/video/7imPLmvLyQA/видео.html Oh and then there are a couple of videos where Floor comes in as a guest vocalist...
Best reaction I've seen to this video so far 😂 Keep it up! We have a live version for it too with a full orchestra and choir. It would be interesting to see your reaction to THE GHOST IN ME (Danse Macabre). It's a cover of the classical piece DANSE MACABRE with lyrics and more music added to it :) hope you do it soon!!! They have a massive discography. They are releasing their 9th album. Maybe after The Ghost In Me you can do KINGDOM OF HEAVEN PART 3 FROM OMEGA ALIVE. It will blow your mind :)
I'll be brief. I suggest that your next Epica reaction should be The Ghost in Me live from their show The Symphonic Synergy in Amsterdam. Symphonic metal as it should be.
Fun fact there is also an official live video of this song from their recent concert-fully live choir, orchestra, and even backing vocalists, so you can REALLY see everything that went into it. Epica is an absolute master of stage performance! And amazing composers-most of the guys in the band have music degrees, and the two vocalists ,you heard (Simone and Mark) write nearly all the lyrics. They’re one of my favorite bands in the world and have really made a distinct sound for themselves within the symphonic metal genre. Some recs to continue on your journey: Storm the Sorrow-their most viewed music video and just a timeless song The Ghost in Me-a kind of special project they did recently for the Halloween opening of a new attraction at the famous Eifteling theme park; there’s a music video and an official live version. Usually you’ll hear Epica fans say the live versions are a lot cooler than studio tracks, but coming from a sound engineering perspective I’m not sure which you prefer listening to. Code of Life-another banger that introduces you to the Middle Eastern influence that Epica is fond of using in their music. No music video for this one, but there is a live video if you want to go that route.
Except for Mark and Simone, everyone has a bachelor's degree in music, the keyboard player is a classical pianist and also writes the orchestral arrangements. Mark has a master's degree in psychology, which is evident in the lyrics when it comes to the dark sides of the human mind. Only Simone did not study, but enjoyed excellent singing training. And it certainly didn't hurt that the producer and sound engineer was Joost van den Broek. He is an excellent musician himself, has a master's degree in music and is a friend of the band and he certainly contributed his ideas and is considered the unofficial 7th member of the band.
Check out the live version and consider the complexities of live mixing and balancing of Simone, the band, the backing singers, orchestra, choir and kids choir ……..🤯 other songs - ‘Once upon a Nightmare’ Omega Alive livestream, ‘Kingdom of heaven part 3’ from the same stream. ‘Rivers’Ft Apocalyptica Live from the AFAS. ‘Consign to oblivion’ Live from the Zenith Paris. If by then if you are not a fan I will eat my keyboard.
You most definately need to check out some more Epica. I am a longtime fan and I think if you listen to more of their songs, you'd be appreciating them very much also
Dude. You need to check out the live version of this with full symphony and choir (both children's and adult). This whole new album is going to be huge with so many good songs. ruclips.net/video/7xXPyAhHhXc/видео.htmlsi=BENfbIbt0NTbpiQ4
The music was written by Rob Van Der Loo, the bass player, the lyrics were written by Simone Simons, the lead singer. Simone is a classically trained lyric soprano. The growler is Mark Jansen the band leader and rhythm guitarist
Hey love ur reaction and analysis, Epica is such an amazing band, one of the best out there
Welcome to the huge and marvelous rabbit hole called Epica. This is for me one if not the best band in the world. They work so well together. You have so much to discover. They are really creative.
New subscriber here my friend. Just a great breakdown reaction here. I won’t add much because many have given much information on this premier band that now and then comes down from Mount Olympus to grace us with the best in symphonic metal. I will add that Rob Vanderloo, The bassist is one of the coolest guys in music kingdom and a phenomenal bassist and he composed his a lot of their music and he was the composer for this song why I have such a great base front line. Ari The drummer is one of the best in business and has Deathcore metal roots, He’s got calves the size of softballs and the guy is a articulate beast on the skins. As far as archangel Simone she is by far my favorite metal vocalist her voice is so pure her ability to go from head to chest voice is so smooth like hardly any other and her pitch is as perfect as Tommy Karevick’s with Kamelot. I am thankful to many very good symphonic metal bands that I enjoy like Nightwish, Xandria, Therion, Within Temptaion etc, that were my gateway up to the summit of Mount Olympus and Epica. And yes they are best live you’ve gotten great suggestions here on that front. I hope you go down this Epica rabbit hole for indeed you will continue to be amazed this is just a teeny bit of the iceberg.
Also MUST SEE... EPICA - Kingdom of Heaven Pt 3 - (ΩMEGA ALIVE) (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
As a fellow bass player, I find that some of my favourite Epica songs, including Arcana, are often the ones written by their bass player Rob. The 5 guys in the band write the music, each song has a primary writer and then the other 4 guys write their parts based on the vision of the main writer. After that either Simone or Mark (growls and rythm guitar) write the lyrics.
There is definately synths in their latests music, but for the last 3 albums and the upcomming 9th album, they have traveled to Prague to record with an orchestra. You should really react to some of their live videos, they are absolutely amazing live, almost studio quality with the energy of a live concert
You MUST react to their song "Unleashed" ❤✨😉!!!!
If you're a sound engineer you have to listen to them live, in particular anything from their Retrospect or Symphonic Synergy concerts where, as the name sugests, they play live with a full orchestra and choir.
it was cool to hear the bare bass and drums, it sounds really cool, thanks. Absolutely gorgeous ending to the song, I love it. the song itself is good of course, but the ending.. makes it 10 levels higher 😈 thanks again for the analysis
Epica is incredible. They have countless pieces that will blow your mind. Their sound was unique and amazing since their debut album back in 2002 and evolved to stellar level since then.
Check this epic piece to hear how they sound live with full orchestra and choir on stage in a special concert in 2013 -
Epica - Design Your Universe - Retrospect live
Yes, I loved this reaction. Thank you so much for isolating the bass and drums, as I love Epica's rhythm section. I love Robs bass tones. And 'The Beast' on drums. Every member of this band is top tier, and Simone's voice does things to me. They are my favourite symphonic band, and I put them up with Opeth, Jinjer and Igorrr as being my favourite metal bands. I love the contrast all of these bands have within any given song.
I planned my trip to the UK from New Zealand around seeing these guys live in Amsterdam, where I heard this song for the first time. (pretty sure it was the songs debut) And they had a full orchestra, choir, kids choir, amazing set of back ground singers. It was so epic(a). Normally they play with tracks as they can't travel with that kind of set-up. These guys were on my bucket list to see live. And can I say - Simone's voice live... omg. I'll stop there, I could gush about this band for hours.
Would love to see you react to a live set - literally pick anything. It's all good. You might get something brutal, you may get something beautiful....
Actually I will make a suggestion for some beautiful Epica.
Rivers with Apocalyptica
ruclips.net/video/7imPLmvLyQA/видео.html
Oh and then there are a couple of videos where Floor comes in as a guest vocalist...
Best reaction I've seen to this video so far 😂
Keep it up! We have a live version for it too with a full orchestra and choir.
It would be interesting to see your reaction to THE GHOST IN ME (Danse Macabre). It's a cover of the classical piece DANSE MACABRE with lyrics and more music added to it :) hope you do it soon!!!
They have a massive discography. They are releasing their 9th album. Maybe after The Ghost In Me you can do KINGDOM OF HEAVEN PART 3 FROM OMEGA ALIVE. It will blow your mind :)
Great suggestions!
Her voice live is almost indistinguishable from the studio version, it’s magical.
You should check out Once upon a Nightmare from Omega Alive!!! 🤯
I'll be brief. I suggest that your next Epica reaction should be The Ghost in Me live from their show The Symphonic Synergy in Amsterdam. Symphonic metal as it should be.
Symph metal works also with amazing male singer like Roy Khan, Tommy Karevik (both Kamelot), YAMA-B (Galneryus)
Fun fact there is also an official live video of this song from their recent concert-fully live choir, orchestra, and even backing vocalists, so you can REALLY see everything that went into it. Epica is an absolute master of stage performance! And amazing composers-most of the guys in the band have music degrees, and the two vocalists ,you heard (Simone and Mark) write nearly all the lyrics. They’re one of my favorite bands in the world and have really made a distinct sound for themselves within the symphonic metal genre.
Some recs to continue on your journey:
Storm the Sorrow-their most viewed music video and just a timeless song
The Ghost in Me-a kind of special project they did recently for the Halloween opening of a new attraction at the famous Eifteling theme park; there’s a music video and an official live version. Usually you’ll hear Epica fans say the live versions are a lot cooler than studio tracks, but coming from a sound engineering perspective I’m not sure which you prefer listening to.
Code of Life-another banger that introduces you to the Middle Eastern influence that Epica is fond of using in their music. No music video for this one, but there is a live video if you want to go that route.
Except for Mark and Simone, everyone has a bachelor's degree in music, the keyboard player is a classical pianist and also writes the orchestral arrangements. Mark has a master's degree in psychology, which is evident in the lyrics when it comes to the dark sides of the human mind. Only Simone did not study, but enjoyed excellent singing training. And it certainly didn't hurt that the producer and sound engineer was Joost van den Broek. He is an excellent musician himself, has a master's degree in music and is a friend of the band and he certainly contributed his ideas and is considered the unofficial 7th member of the band.
@@Haldaugreat info!!!!!!
Check out the live version and consider the complexities of live mixing and balancing of Simone, the band, the backing singers, orchestra, choir and kids choir ……..🤯 other songs - ‘Once upon a Nightmare’ Omega Alive livestream, ‘Kingdom of heaven part 3’ from the same stream. ‘Rivers’Ft Apocalyptica Live from the AFAS. ‘Consign to oblivion’ Live from the Zenith Paris. If by then if you are not a fan I will eat my keyboard.
Seconded
They are currently touring in Mexico....Live the best.
Man I love your reaction with these separate sound doings!!! More Epica nad syphonic metal!
You most definately need to check out some more Epica. I am a longtime fan and I think if you listen to more of their songs, you'd be appreciating them very much also
Must see the live version ! Epica site !!!!!! Even better. with live symphony orkestra! and more EPICA Please ! so GOOD.....Just Epic.
Thank you for a great reaction! 🤘
Check out some of their live stuff next. Out of their official stuff there are only great choices!
Check this song out: EPICA - Consign To Oblivion - Live at the Zenith (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Dude. You need to check out the live version of this with full symphony and choir (both children's and adult). This whole new album is going to be huge with so many good songs. ruclips.net/video/7xXPyAhHhXc/видео.htmlsi=BENfbIbt0NTbpiQ4
The music was written by Rob Van Der Loo, the bass player, the lyrics were written by Simone Simons, the lead singer. Simone is a classically trained lyric soprano.
The growler is Mark Jansen the band leader and rhythm guitarist
🤘🤘
🤘🤘🤘 Sancta Terra live retrospective show feat. Floor Jansen
Can we have just one Epica reaction without bringing F Jansen into the discussion!? So tired of it and I have no doubt Simone is also