Here is a must hear and see "Epic" performance by Epica who always live up to their name Epica The Kingdom of Heaven part 3 ruclips.net/video/BdBCVMD8TiM/видео.html Yes those are performers on the Chandelier
Floor joined Epica for a live performance of Sancta Terra. Fantastic duet between Floor and Simone. Definitely check it out if you get a chance. Also if you like Nightwish and Epica, I'll recommend another great symphonic metal band with another amazing vocalist: Within Temptation. They do a collab song with Nightwish's first vocalist, Tarja, called Paradise (What About Us). It's another amazing duet. Within Temptation also had American rapper Xzibit join them in a collab on their Hydra album. Honestly I could recommend a lot of bands from this genre: Unleash The Archers, Sirenia and the grand daddy band Kamelot. Simone collabed with Kamelot years ago but it was amazing. Kamelot and Within Temptation are two of the longest running bands in Symphonic metal having started in the mid 90s. Oh and every band from this genre bring something different but you'll love all of them.
Funny you say Americans never heard this. I have been listening to Nightwish since 1999 and I am from Illinois. Another great Dutch band from the 90's with a female front is The Gathering. Anneke Van Geirsbergen actually inspired Floor to do metal.
I've been listening to Epica for almost 18 years now, and Nightwish for around 23 years.... AND I'm American born and raised. I was lucky enough to have some friends that lived in the Netherlands that introduced me to Nightwish back in their early days, and I found Epica not long after they released their first album. If not for those friends it would probably have been 15 years or more before I would have found these bands. I personally prefer Epica because they are on the heavier side overall. Nightwish may have introduced me to this type of music, but Epica made me love it. The singing style she uses would more appropriately be called 'classical', not opera. There is a pretty huge difference between the two. You're just scratching the surface of what this band has to offer. Enjoy your journey.
About "not wanting to get into how beautiful this woman is..." - it would be an insult to the universe not mentioning it. - it doesn't take anything from her accomplishments, hard work and incredible talent to acknowledge she is one of the most beautiful beeings one has ever seen.
I was only like 3 songs into my Epica discovery when I ordered every CD they have available. Their entire catalog of music is this good. The Retrospect show with the full orchestra is sick af. The Omega Alive show is on another level. And this year is their 20th anniversary....so I can only imagine what is to come. I am looking forward to more of you experiencing them.
This is a great introduction to the band and gives you a feel for why they are called Epic-a. Mark Janssen (guitar and vocals) Was in After Forever with Floor. Joost van den Broek was After Forever's piano player and writer. He produced some of the albums from Epica.
Joost is also with Ayreon which is again a completely different style of music. Stephen, when you check out Ayreon you will encounter rock operas, prog rock, prog metal. You name it what you hear from Arjen and his colleagues.
Simone Simons is my favorite singer, love the band. Sugest you listen to their newest masterpiece. Epica - kingdom of heaven pt3 (omega alive) the whole Omega Alive stream event was on a another level!
Kingdom of Heaven is indeed a work of art - intellectually and musically stunning, deep and heavy. While the Omega Alive version is awesome, the Official Lyric Video for this song is graphically brilliant. Another song that is right up there at the top is Nightwish's The Greatest Show on Earth.
Simone and Floor have similar voices and are good friends, Epica were formed when Mark Jansen left After Forever, the Dutch are killing it in the Symphonic Metal scene, so many singers particularly female ones are Dutch, Floor and Simone are probably the best in the World, for me Floor has the edge but I LOVE Simone as well. Big love Stephen 🤘🦇🤘
Yeah they are all great, those dutch Singers, but Simone has such an unique voice. For me that makes her the number one, as Epica with their heavyness, the drums and Marks Voice too makes them so special for me. With Epica and Nightwish we have so much skill. I love it more heavy, but i enjoy nightwish too.
And Charlotte Wessels ex- Delain and Zora Cock from Blackbriar! Dianne van Giersbergen and Marcela Bovio, okay she is Mexican but lives for years already in the Netherlands.
Well, I've listened to Mozart and Wagner before, and I've played the F outta guitar for 4 decades (Scarlatti, move over), but putting these elements together is truly a thing that Americans NEED to hear. We, as a country, need to pull our ears outta our asses. (Sorry. 'Murica, but it's true) THIS genre/band/song should be at the Met, the Opry, and the Super Bowl. But it won't be, so I play load AF after ours on my sound system at the clinic (fuggit, I'm the boss, I getta do what I wantz to do when everyone else is gone. Drop this in yer 8-track 'Murica. It's a far far better thing that you'd do...
And you never heard of music like this because they only play songs on the radio that have a very simple and catchy structure. It's all about selling the artists from big labels for air time. But if you live in Finland, you're lucky. They play metal on the radio all the time. It's mainstream there.
It's so true and that was kinda how I was trying to convey that message but I was terrible at it. You won't hear bands like this on the local rock radio stations or on TV like MTV. It really sucks
Pop and hip-hop controlled by mega-entertainment conglomerates in the U.S. is all they want you to hear because they've signed the artists. Forget about hearing Nightwish, Epica, Sabaton, Amon Amarth, etc. on U.S. radio Never mind Eivor, Aurora, Heilung and others. U.S. music radio is a joke.
@@jhiggins85 What's funny is that classical concerts have the same problem in the U.S. Same old standards over and over again. For anything different, you have to go to Europe.
There are just so many bands just waiting for you. People in the comments will continue to suggest bands. The funny thing is that most of these bands are connected in some way. So good to see Americans and anyone for that matter opening their eyes and ears to what they have been missing. Top reaction.
Thank you for the kind words Ronnie. And it's so true! I absolutely loved this experience though and I hope it shows it was an absolute blast listening to epica!
That would be Mark Jansen who is the growling guitarist on the left. He was one of the founding members of After Forever. He was with Floor in After Forever between 1997-2002 when he was sort of pushed out because he did not see eye to eye about creation of songs with other members. And so he founded Epica with the keyboardist Coen and Simone, the vocalist, to pursue different style of music (Sahara Dust, it was called back then, though). More orchestration and choir involvement in Epica than After Forever, for instance. Floor actually joined another project that Mark co-founded in 2010 called MaYaN after After Forever (symphonic death metal) had split up in 2009. She was in it while she also worked on ReVamp stuff. But that is a story for another day. Another member of After Forever who works with Epica is Joost van der Broek who produced their last 3 albums. He was AF´s keyboardist between 2003 and 2009. The closest thing to Epica would be probably Kamelot in the US. This song is from the second album with the same name which came out in 2005.
Simone started singing with Epica (fist named Sahara Dust) at the age of 17, She has done many guest singing with other bands and solo singers including Kamelot, Tarja Turunen and Ayreon.
Man, Epica is something else. They will blow your mind. Here are some recommendations to let you get a little more, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg - Epica - The Essence of Silence live Epica - Design Your Universe live Epica - Kingdom of Heaven part 1 Epica - Unchain Utopia - Omega Alive Epica - Kingdom of Heaven part 3 - Omega Alive Epica - Victims of Contingency - Omega Alive
If you're looking for a battlehyme this is going to be the closest thing to it and you can expect it to be playing at you entering Vahalla.. ruclips.net/video/cx22Yuj2nzg/видео.html
@@bannhim6697 this is a great song but quite moderate in Epica’s standards. Actually, it’s aggressively promoted mainly because of Floor and not because it’s the ultimate battlehyme. I would put it somewhere in Epica’s top 60 songs.. Check out this Attack on Titans cover if you’re about to go to a battle - Epica - Crimson Bow and Arrow - ruclips.net/video/bX3dwi_yuSA/видео.html
EPICA! Awesome 🤘🤘20 years this year 🙌 Check out some more great songs from Retrospect (10th anniversary concert): Chasing the Dragon, Design your Universe and from Omega Alive (streaming concert): Skeleton key, Unchain Utopia, Kingdom of Heaven Pt.3. I am pretty sure you will enjoy it 😁
@@Killermcknight Yes, The live "Retrospect" concert is THE Epica killer live concert. You could just pick at random in this 3 hours long live concert and you would land on an epic performance. This Retrospect is what they did for their 10th year anniversary. And the 20th is for this September 2022 ! Omega Alive is another concert that has just been released during the pandemy. A huge performance but without the public live feeling. This deserves some reactions also!
Epica live are always amazing. They have come to Greece at least 3 times and I saw them 2 times, including their first time they visited Greece. One of the most beloved bands. And their catalog is great. Simone of course is literally a goddess.
Epica founder Mark Jansen was also the co- founder of After Forever together with a longtime friend Sander Gommans. AF started out with a male grunter. Soon Mark and Sander thought they needed backing vocals. So they held auditions. A very young vocalist called Floor Jansen got the job. After a short period they were convinced that Floor also could do leadvocals together with their singer/ grunter. He however did not like that idea and left the band so Floor became leadsinger. The band Epica is something else though..They are the leading force in the genre to me and incorporate orchestra and choirs in almost every song , not just to back up the band but as a part of the songs . Their songs go from the heavy stuff to soaring ballads and everything in between. With 8 studio albums they already created over 100 songs ( including bonus tracks) and guess what, all those songs are great! Special mentioning: - Retrospect. Epica's 10 anniversary show with a 70 piece orchestra and choir live on stage. Check it out, all songs are on youtube. The show lasted for almost 3 hours. - Omega Alive. In June 2021 Epica held their first live - stream concert as their new album Omega ( feb - 2021) was released but touring still not possible so this was the way to play some of the new songs for the fans. In december Omega Alive was relased on digital platfoms and as a physical album on cd lp and dvd. The visuals are incredible in this show. A couple of songs have been released with the video's on YT. I would say, enjoy the journey!
Mark didn't leave because he didn't like the idea of Floor singing, he just had musical differences about the style of the band, he wanted more symphonic elements and the rest were aiming more towards goth/progressive metal with less use of the orchestra and choir.
@@dac2007 Mark was not the lead vocalist /grunter at the start at AF there was a guy , i forgot his name. That guy left because Mark and Sander wanted Floor to do leadvocals too. Mark himself did eventually not leave at free will years later, he was kicked out of his own band just before a festival gig and a support act tour with nightwish.. but that's another story.
@@jaapblaauw3735 Ah, I missunderstood your initial comment. Sorry ;) Yeah I know he was kinda kicked out but in the end it turned out for the best as he founded Epica
@@dac2007 Considering that Epica is what AF would have become if Mark had his way--a chunk of the songs on the first Epica album were written for AF--and that Epica became way more successful than AF, I keep wondering whether Floor regretted her decision to side with Sander against Mark. It's also funny that AF lost Mark because Floor didn't want to do symphonic metal, and 10 years later she joined Nightwish. Guess she didn't want to make the same mistake twice!
Epica and Nightwish have been touring the states for many years. I’ve seen Epica in south Florida 2x once in a smaller venue and once in a larger one that I’ve also seen Nightwish, revamp, kamelot at. If Epica came down further for their other tours I would’ve been able to see them at least 4x . With all metal it’s an underground thing not for radio play which is understandable. Even Metallica for their first 4 albums got zero airplay .so welcome to the symphonic metal crowd.
What a great reaction you did dude!!! Pls react to more Epica. They are in my opinion by far the best symphonic metal band out there! This band has everything what I need in a band, from heavier metal with death metal elements to headbang on, beautiful eye tearing metal ballads and everything in between! React to Epica's stuff from Omega Alive, you will be blown away! 🤘🏻
"That chills" is the best comment I heard in a long time my friend. You've discoverd that there's a lot of great sympho metal talent in the Netherlands. We have also the great grandmother of frontwomen in my country. Try Anneke van Giersbergen with the gathering. ön most "surfaces" TG 25 in Doornroosje in my hometown.
I'm so agree with you. I discover Epica maybe 10 years ago, and had the same experience as you. The first song I was listening to, was "Cry for the Moon" that I still think is awesome. Try also another dutch band called Delain, which is also great. They have a fantastic female singer as well.
Great reaction to an amazing song. I'm a fan of both bands but despite the Symphonic metal tag they are coming from different perspectives which is great. Nightwish have always been more rooted in Folk music and tend to be the warmer band to listen to. The songs and lyrics are more personal. Epica have a colder more metal sound and tend more towards concepts within their lyrics. Just two different approaches but both can do heavy and calm, light and shade. It is a very European thing although there are American bands and musicians within the scene. Although they do tend to be more integrated within the European metal scene. A band like Kamelot from Florida are a case in point. You should check them out at some point.
Most Americans are new to Epica & Nightwish. I have been following since 2002 (NW) & 2008 (Epica). For more Epica check out Universal Death Squad (Official Lyric Video).
Yes, but Sancta Terra is not a good representation of Epica. People should only recommend it after several other songs from Epica, not as an introduction.
3.6M views prove otherwise. I don't think that's too decisive either, that depends on each one. In this line there is no favorable or unfavorable comment, I only mention the fact that this collaboration exists.
Yes you NEED to listen to After Forever! There's where Floor REALLY shines! After Forever depending on the album can be darker and a bit slower, or faster more proggy and less dark but still heavy. So for the dark and slow: "Follow in the Cry" or "My Pledge of Allegiance #1". Slightly faster: "Monolith of Doubt". For Floor's beast vocals: "Between Love and Fire". For something heavier and proggier: "Withering Time".
I feel the same as what you said in your intro man. I loove Nightwish, it's the band that got me into metal. But to me, Epica is THE symphonic metal band, period. Their heavyness combined with Simone's voice is just too perfect.
One of the nicest bands as well, same goes for After Forever (although they have stopped so many years ago, is great to see Floor with Nightwish now), really very kind people. And rock ass shows, if you get the chance to see them live, please do and wait in the venue after the show, they often get into the audience space. Have been lucky to see and photographed them many times, from start and seen the grow into a fantastic band.
I grow up with Nightwish.. listening to Tarja Turunen... I first heard Epica on the 14th 2005 in their concert at Buenos Aires Argentina! 5 days after turning 25 years old hahaha I'm 41 and I still love them as the first time I've met them!!!!!! My favorite band ever ❤️ epican heart. The other band that I adore is from Japan: Crystal Lake. Ryo Kinoshita... His vocals are so brutal... I just love them!
And you did one of the harshest songs first ;) EPICA is diverse too. You also have ballads beyond beautiful ("Rivers"), songs with Simone in the focus ("Unchain Utopia" Omega Alive) and the epic ones ("Kingdom of Heaven Part 3" Omega Alive). So Epica has this growls and Death Metal elements, but also a lot of song with beauty and Simone's angelic voice. Also NW has heavy shit like "Master Passion Greed" ruclips.net/video/hBTRq2Kgt3Q/видео.html (PLEASE REACT TO THIS) - but Tuomas is not a big fan of growls. That's why you only have them at "Yours is an empty Hope".
Floor performed with them, several times, two of the most beautiful performances featuring these two goddesses would be the live version of Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa. Def should check those out. New subscriber, always following my new symphonic metal fans.
@@Killermcknight Sancta Terra is amazing, not that heavy as some other Epica's songs, but still great, the chemistry between Floor and Simone is something you rarely see.
Have a look at Ayreon. Start with the official video: The day that the world brakes down. With Floor Jansen, Simone Simons etc. Ayreon Universe live, with Floor and Irene Jansen, Anneke van Giersbergen, Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) etc. The electric castle live and other tales. With Simone Simons and Mark Janssen (Epica), Anneke van Giersbergen etc. See Wikipedia for everything on Ayreon.
Ok...you said "let's go boys!" In your reaction...excuse! Girls rock just as hard, man! (I know it was just a slip, you're not a misogynist). I love how they create a proper Viking battle pit! I'm only 5ft tall, but I'm with the moshers in spirit!
@@Killermcknight Rammstein! You start with Du Hast Paris live official...then skip over to live stuff from MSG, Engel, Ich tu dir weh, Rammilied...from there Sonne, Mein Herz Brennt, Ich Will, Deutschland, Mein Teil, then work back to early stuff which rocks just as hard! I'll guide you!
Simone is married to a band member of Kamelot, and the band name was actually taken from a Kamelot album. Kamelot is a Goth Metal band. They have had a few vocalists, Roy Khantatat (Khan" is best, IMHO. Simone makes a great performance with Roy in the video "The Haunting". You would also like Kamelot's "March of Mephisto". For more songs from Epica, I would suggest "Chasing the Dragon" and "Chemical Insomnia". Note, Epica had a great performance at Wacken 2018. They also performed on several heavy metal cruises.
I wouldn't call Kamelot goth metal, they barely have elements of such style. They're more on the side of power/progressive metal. Kamelot and Epica have toured together in 2005 - Simone guest sang with Kamelot back then. That's when I first saw both Kamelot and Epica live, BTW. I recommend every Kamelot album with both Roy Khan and Tommy Karevik (the current singer). Nowadays, Roy Khan is back with his old band called Conception.
Sabaton , Band Maid , Sabaton , Band Maid Epica is killer , Nightwish grand , Lovebites insane , Nemophila insane ...... so many more the US needs to here to understand great music .
Hi Killermcknight, Epica's catalogue of music is extremely eclectic and varied, everything from the most beautiful ballads to vast melodic prog metal landscapes of music and occasionally very heavy, the singer is Simone Simons, usually Simone sings the majority of the vocals throughout their songs, most of the time she sings in a regular voice, occasionally going to the operatic style, a very different singer to Floor, but in her own style she is just stunning, as you will find out in future reactions :)
Epica is less symphonic and more metal . Mark Jansen left After forever & formed Epica with his girlfriend Simone Simons who is the lead vocalist. Simone & Floor have been best friends for many years.
How is Epica less symphonic? They are probably the most symphonic as well as most metal band in the symphonic metal subgenre :] Btw, Simone and Floor are not best friends, though they are relatively good friends. Simone's best friend is probably Elize Ryd.
For me "Nightwish" is more symphonic than "Epica" because lately Epica introduce more metal sounds than symphonic sounds to their music... instead Nightwish seems more and more Soundtrack Symphonic for movies, for example: *The Greatest Show on Earth: Nightwish *The Poet and the Pendulum: Nightwish
Well like Monty python says always look on the bright side of life thats what nightwish and epica, within temptation, leaves eyes, edenbridge, and many more from across the pond have brought to many American's in these dark pandemic days
Loved your rant about Americans and metal. I live in the US and have been a metal fan since 1981. Always had to seek out good metal because you'll never hear any of it on mainstream radio. In the early 80's it was trips to the record store for NWOBHM imports, in the mid-80s it was the same to find German thrash to listen to along with American thrash. Then in the 90's it was using the internet to find all the rest of the awesome European metal bands and metal sub-genres that were available and I've never looked back. And I listen to most of those sub-genres so I have a huge catalog to pick from. And that same phenomenon has been happening with the plethora of Japanese rock/metal bands that have appeared the last few years. SO much new metal to listen to! 🤘 🤘
People in the US are arguing over who is the greatest singer of all time, Beyonce or Taylor Swift. I'm sitting back thinking, bitches please, those two aren't even on the list ANYWHERE. We have Floor, Simone, Tarja, Amy Lee, many many others, and you want to tell us Taylor Swift is the best? Yeah, NO.
In my little French-speaking corner of North America (Quebec, Canada) we seem to have a greater affinity for European metal, as whenever such a band comes over here it's always sold out. My brother is a big Amon Amarth fan and so I know from him that when they came to Montreal as part of their NA tour, they had to add an extra date because the demand was so freakin' high. I can't quite explain why. Me personally, I've been a fan of Epica since 2003 and look forward for every new album, as each new release has consistantly blown my mind. They are crazy creative, and I appreciate the heavier tone (though that doesn't mean I don't also love Nightwish). You need to listen to the Kingdom of Heaven 3-parter.
Epica are one of my favorites. Also been checking out MaYan recently, another band by Mark Jansen with a few Epica members. Definitely look them up and more Epica.
The singer from Nightwish and the singer from Epica came from the Netherlands and they are best frends Simone start her singing with 17years and is now 43years old and is one of the best sopranos in Metall 🤘 🤘
I loved to see your mind figuratively explode man!🤘 I'm Dutch and due to C I still haven't seen them :-( In terms of Americans have no idea, I suggest Sabaton - Christmas Truce 👏
Epica is an awesome band for sure! Since you talk about Valhalla, maybe you should add "Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song & Valhalla - Live at Wacken Open Air 2016" to the list ;)
Hello i just subscribed:) I think you are ready for Wintersun, the most epic viking metal from Finland you will ever hear. Its also symphonic style with a mastermind modern day Mozart named Jari Mäenpää who writes all their music, sings and shreds. For me i think you have to start with Live rehearsals at sonic pump studios, they have 3 songs from their album Time. If you love Epica you will not be dissapointed with Wintersun. I would love to see your jaw drop when you here them for the first time. lets go! BTW two of Wintersuns bandmembers Kai on drums and Jukka on base plays for Nightwish atm.
Liking the reaction vids so far. I think I am narrowing down what you would really get into. I have not read through all the comments in your vids to see how many times they have been suggested, but almost anything by 'Unleash the Archers' (but start with 'Awakening')! I hope to see you react to them in the near future. By the way they are a Canadian band. Cheers!
Very Epica. From, as we call ourselves, a tiny froggie country: the Netherlands. It lays way down under sealevel. So it's often overseen. And as most Americans a lot of Dutch people never heard of them either. Isn't that funny.
I am from our little country too. Indeed a lot of people don't know Epica and Simone in the Netherlands. But since Floor joined Beste Zangers it seems to go a bit better with metal over here and after Anneke van Gierbergen also participated in this show I hope Simone will be the next.
I’m an American and been listening to Nightwish since the beginning(‘97) and Epica(‘04) and in Hawaii of all places. In the 90’s the Internet was in its infancy. I had to find the metal gems in metal magazines, metal cd compilations and scour the used sections also buy based off of the album cover. You just had to know where to look and also lots of special orders. I soon realized back then that I was a European metal fan. 90% of metal I listened to was not American. They had so much more musicality to offer.
Suggest you check out Epicas 'Sancta Terra' Live Retrospect show featuring Floor Jansen. An awesome song which will blow your mind!! Subscribed to follow your journey with Epica and Nightwish.
Hey 👋🏻 I have been following you since you started on your Jinjer journey and I really enjoy all your reactions 😊👍🏻 I have a band suggestion for you: Tallah. It's a relatively new nu-metal band. The singer, Justin Bonitz, has a very unique style and an impressive range. Another fun fact: The drummer (Max Portnoy) is the son of Dream Theater's drummer, Mike Portnoy. It's hard to pick which song to start with, they're so different from each other but let's just say 'Overconfidence' or their newest single 'Vanilla Paste'. 🤘🏼
Wow, you are one of the few to actually do it so many like nope hear symphonic death metal and like nope but man Simone's voice is really insane give you goosebumps. Yeah, Sancta Terra features Floor live it's crazy I discovered the band when I was 17 first Symphonic metal band ever little did I know I was also listening to a 17-year-old girl whose voice was that good then even it's changed a little but not much just got even more haunting.
If you want to listen to Symphonic metal and understand it you need good headphones basically ones that can handle higher pitches Classical singing is way harsher than Floor's more Operatic theatre style.
I’ve got an Ukrainian war refugee staying with me, when I told her I was into this music she was taken aback and said that it was the last thing she expected of me being a 62 year old widowed grandmother! But you know what’s not to love, it’s not age related!
Maybe most Americans haven't heard of this genre, but there are still a lot of us (Americans) that to do often listen to stuff like Epica, Nightwish, Apocalyptica, Opeth, Gojira, Jinger, Sabaton, Lacuna Coil, and others.
Not all Americans. Been listening to epica since 2003. And nightwish since 2000. Within temptation since 1999. Symphonic metal is wonderful. Therion since before I can remember.
Floor and Simone are good friends and have collaborated in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Floor performes 3 songs with Simone during the show Epica gave for their anniversery. They also often collaborate on Ayreon albums so you may want to check out 'The day that the World breaks down.' I must warn you that this will only send you further down the rabbit hole.
so, try "slaying the dreamer" live in Buenos Aeres: great heavy riff inside and "yours in an empty hope" For Epica my top 1 is "design your universe" at retrospect live.
Hey you guys so sorry for the clipping in parts of the song. I got a little too excited lol
That's not epic... That is Epica.
Here is a must hear and see "Epic" performance by Epica who always live up to their name Epica The Kingdom of Heaven part 3 ruclips.net/video/BdBCVMD8TiM/видео.html Yes those are performers on the Chandelier
Floor joined Epica for a live performance of Sancta Terra. Fantastic duet between Floor and Simone.
Definitely check it out if you get a chance.
Also if you like Nightwish and Epica, I'll recommend another great symphonic metal band with another amazing vocalist: Within Temptation.
They do a collab song with Nightwish's first vocalist, Tarja, called Paradise (What About Us). It's another amazing duet.
Within Temptation also had American rapper Xzibit join them in a collab on their Hydra album.
Honestly I could recommend a lot of bands from this genre: Unleash The Archers, Sirenia and the grand daddy band Kamelot. Simone collabed with Kamelot years ago but it was amazing.
Kamelot and Within Temptation are two of the longest running bands in Symphonic metal having started in the mid 90s.
Oh and every band from this genre bring something different but you'll love all of them.
One of my favourite hobbies during pandemic lockdowns has been watching US reactors having their minds blown by European Metal 🔥🔥🤯🤘❤️🇬🇧
haha!
You are not alone
that, and Japanese metal haha
American metal doesn't have a thing on Euro metal.
You too ? I thought it was just me. 🙂
Funny you say Americans never heard this. I have been listening to Nightwish since 1999 and I am from Illinois. Another great Dutch band from the 90's with a female front is The Gathering. Anneke Van Geirsbergen actually inspired Floor to do metal.
I've been listening to Epica for almost 18 years now, and Nightwish for around 23 years.... AND I'm American born and raised. I was lucky enough to have some friends that lived in the Netherlands that introduced me to Nightwish back in their early days, and I found Epica not long after they released their first album. If not for those friends it would probably have been 15 years or more before I would have found these bands.
I personally prefer Epica because they are on the heavier side overall. Nightwish may have introduced me to this type of music, but Epica made me love it.
The singing style she uses would more appropriately be called 'classical', not opera. There is a pretty huge difference between the two.
You're just scratching the surface of what this band has to offer. Enjoy your journey.
About "not wanting to get into how beautiful this woman is..." - it would be an insult to the universe not mentioning it. - it doesn't take anything from her accomplishments, hard work and incredible talent to acknowledge she is one of the most beautiful beeings one has ever seen.
I concur. Everyone gets distracted by how beautiful Simone Simons is when they first encounter this band. Mention it and move on.
I was only like 3 songs into my Epica discovery when I ordered every CD they have available. Their entire catalog of music is this good. The Retrospect show with the full orchestra is sick af. The Omega Alive show is on another level. And this year is their 20th anniversary....so I can only imagine what is to come. I am looking forward to more of you experiencing them.
Thanks Charles, I can't wait either I absolutely loved this experience!
This is a great introduction to the band and gives you a feel for why they are called Epic-a. Mark Janssen (guitar and vocals) Was in After Forever with Floor. Joost van den Broek was After Forever's piano player and writer. He produced some of the albums from Epica.
Dutch Eve, thanks you for some background information on the band!
Joost is also with Ayreon which is again a completely different style of music. Stephen, when you check out Ayreon you will encounter rock operas, prog rock, prog metal. You name it what you hear from Arjen and his colleagues.
Whilst Mark Jansen was in After Forever right from when Floor joined them at 16 - they are not related.
Simone Simons is my favorite singer, love the band. Sugest you listen to their newest masterpiece. Epica - kingdom of heaven pt3 (omega alive) the whole Omega Alive stream event was on a another level!
Hell yeah I will definitely check it out
Mine too, for female vocals. For male, right now it's Kyo from Dir En Grey.
Kingdom of Heaven is indeed a work of art - intellectually and musically stunning, deep and heavy. While the Omega Alive version is awesome, the Official Lyric Video for this song is graphically brilliant. Another song that is right up there at the top is Nightwish's The Greatest Show on Earth.
Simone and Floor have similar voices and are good friends, Epica were formed when Mark Jansen left After Forever, the Dutch are killing it in the Symphonic Metal scene, so many singers particularly female ones are Dutch, Floor and Simone are probably the best in the World, for me Floor has the edge but I LOVE Simone as well. Big love Stephen 🤘🦇🤘
Thanks for the information Bill I really appreciate you sharing that with me!
Don't forget "The Godmother of Dutch Symphonic Metal" Anneke van Giersbergen. Shine on ...
@@alexandersomers21 or Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation
Yeah they are all great, those dutch Singers, but Simone has such an unique voice. For me that makes her the number one, as Epica with their heavyness, the drums and Marks Voice too makes them so special for me. With Epica and Nightwish we have so much skill. I love it more heavy, but i enjoy nightwish too.
And Charlotte Wessels ex- Delain and Zora Cock from Blackbriar! Dianne van Giersbergen and Marcela Bovio, okay she is Mexican but lives for years already in the Netherlands.
Well, I've listened to Mozart and Wagner before, and I've played the F outta guitar for 4 decades (Scarlatti, move over), but putting these elements together is truly a thing that Americans NEED to hear.
We, as a country, need to pull our ears outta our asses.
(Sorry. 'Murica, but it's true)
THIS genre/band/song should be at the Met, the Opry, and the Super Bowl.
But it won't be, so I play load AF after ours on my sound system at the clinic (fuggit, I'm the boss, I getta do what I wantz to do when everyone else is gone.
Drop this in yer 8-track 'Murica.
It's a far far better thing that you'd do...
well said
You can't name your band epica if you are not epic. Great band.
Lmao facts
And you never heard of music like this because they only play songs on the radio that have a very simple and catchy structure. It's all about selling the artists from big labels for air time. But if you live in Finland, you're lucky. They play metal on the radio all the time. It's mainstream there.
It's so true and that was kinda how I was trying to convey that message but I was terrible at it. You won't hear bands like this on the local rock radio stations or on TV like MTV. It really sucks
Pop and hip-hop controlled by mega-entertainment conglomerates in the U.S. is all they want you to hear because they've signed the artists. Forget about hearing Nightwish, Epica, Sabaton, Amon Amarth, etc. on U.S. radio Never mind Eivor, Aurora, Heilung and others. U.S. music radio is a joke.
I'm thinking about taking a trip to Finland on my Bandit 1200! But in the summertime, i think 😄😄😄
@@alanfoster6589 I've been saying the same thing for years now, I'm glad someone else feels the same way. Music in America is a joke
@@jhiggins85 What's funny is that classical concerts have the same problem in the U.S. Same old standards over and over again. For anything different, you have to go to Europe.
Thanks to go into Epica, i knew you were going to dig this song. I can highly recommend Sancta Terra (live retrospect show ft Floor Jansen) as well.
Thanks Ayleid!
I prefer the studio of Sancta Terra than the live version with Floor. Don't get me wrong, Floor has a nice voice but she ruins Sancta Terra for me
There are just so many bands just waiting for you. People in the comments will continue to suggest bands. The funny thing is that most of these bands are connected in some way. So good to see Americans and anyone for that matter opening their eyes and ears to what they have been missing. Top reaction.
Thank you for the kind words Ronnie. And it's so true! I absolutely loved this experience though and I hope it shows it was an absolute blast listening to epica!
That would be Mark Jansen who is the growling guitarist on the left. He was one of the founding members of After Forever. He was with Floor in After Forever between 1997-2002 when he was sort of pushed out because he did not see eye to eye about creation of songs with other members. And so he founded Epica with the keyboardist Coen and Simone, the vocalist, to pursue different style of music (Sahara Dust, it was called back then, though). More orchestration and choir involvement in Epica than After Forever, for instance. Floor actually joined another project that Mark co-founded in 2010 called MaYaN after After Forever (symphonic death metal) had split up in 2009. She was in it while she also worked on ReVamp stuff. But that is a story for another day. Another member of After Forever who works with Epica is Joost van der Broek who produced their last 3 albums. He was AF´s keyboardist between 2003 and 2009. The closest thing to Epica would be probably Kamelot in the US.
This song is from the second album with the same name which came out in 2005.
Wow!! Thanks for the information I really appreciate you sharing that with me!
Title says: "Americans never heard anything like this before!"
Me as an American: "Been hearing this for the past 14 years!" Better late than never.
Simone started singing with Epica (fist named Sahara Dust) at the age of 17, She has done many guest singing with other bands and solo singers including Kamelot, Tarja Turunen and Ayreon.
She’s in Ayreon's video for "Daniel's Descent into Transitus." It’s very entertaining; you should check it out. :-)
Man, Epica is something else. They will blow your mind. Here are some recommendations to let you get a little more, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg -
Epica - The Essence of Silence live
Epica - Design Your Universe live
Epica - Kingdom of Heaven part 1
Epica - Unchain Utopia - Omega Alive
Epica - Kingdom of Heaven part 3 - Omega Alive
Epica - Victims of Contingency - Omega Alive
Thanks for the information I really appreciate you sharing that with me!
Let's join Floor with Epica by checking out the Retrospect show: Sancta Terra by Epica ft. Floor Jansen.
If you're looking for a battlehyme this is going to be the closest thing to it and you can expect it to be playing at you entering Vahalla..
ruclips.net/video/cx22Yuj2nzg/видео.html
@@bannhim6697 this is a great song but quite moderate in Epica’s standards. Actually, it’s aggressively promoted mainly because of Floor and not because it’s the ultimate battlehyme. I would put it somewhere in Epica’s top 60 songs..
Check out this Attack on Titans cover if you’re about to go to a battle -
Epica - Crimson Bow and Arrow - ruclips.net/video/bX3dwi_yuSA/видео.html
EPICA! Awesome 🤘🤘20 years this year 🙌
Check out some more great songs from Retrospect (10th anniversary concert): Chasing the Dragon, Design your Universe and from Omega Alive (streaming concert): Skeleton key, Unchain Utopia, Kingdom of Heaven Pt.3. I am pretty sure you will enjoy it 😁
🤘🤘
@@Killermcknight Yes, The live "Retrospect" concert is THE Epica killer live concert. You could just pick at random in this 3 hours long live concert and you would land on an epic performance. This Retrospect is what they did for their 10th year anniversary. And the 20th is for this September 2022 !
Omega Alive is another concert that has just been released during the pandemy. A huge performance but without the public live feeling. This deserves some reactions also!
EPICA! all day everyday
If you are more prone to heavier music, then Epica is your symphonic metal band for sure. You are gonna go nuts with their catalog.
For sure Damian! I had such a blast listening to this song and I really enjoyed it I can't wait to discover more!
Your reaction was a joy to watch!
You lived the music, you enjoied it. Awsome! Your reaction was sick!
Thank you so much!!
Epica live are always amazing. They have come to Greece at least 3 times and I saw them 2 times, including their first time they visited Greece. One of the most beloved bands. And their catalog is great. Simone of course is literally a goddess.
Couldn't agree more!
Epica are the best...
Great band and Simone is killer.
Epica founder Mark Jansen was also the co- founder of After Forever together with a longtime friend Sander Gommans. AF started out with a male grunter. Soon Mark and Sander thought they needed backing vocals. So they held auditions. A very young vocalist called Floor Jansen got the job. After a short period they were convinced that Floor also could do leadvocals together with their singer/ grunter. He however did not like that idea and left the band so Floor became leadsinger.
The band Epica is something else though..They are the leading force in the genre to me and incorporate orchestra and choirs in almost every song , not just to back up the band but as a part of the songs . Their songs go from the heavy stuff to soaring ballads and everything in between. With 8 studio albums they already created over 100 songs ( including bonus tracks) and guess what, all those songs are great!
Special mentioning:
- Retrospect. Epica's 10 anniversary show with a 70 piece orchestra and choir live on stage. Check it out, all songs are on youtube. The show lasted for almost 3 hours.
- Omega Alive. In June 2021 Epica held their first live - stream concert as their new album Omega ( feb - 2021) was released but touring still not possible so this was the way to play some of the new songs for the fans.
In december Omega Alive was relased on digital platfoms and as a physical album on cd lp and dvd.
The visuals are incredible in this show.
A couple of songs have been released with the video's on YT.
I would say, enjoy the journey!
Wow Thank you for that information!! I really appreciate you sharing that with me!
Mark didn't leave because he didn't like the idea of Floor singing, he just had musical differences about the style of the band, he wanted more symphonic elements and the rest were aiming more towards goth/progressive metal with less use of the orchestra and choir.
@@dac2007 Mark was not the lead vocalist /grunter at the start at AF there was a guy , i forgot his name. That guy left because Mark and Sander wanted Floor to do leadvocals too. Mark himself did eventually not leave at free will years later, he was kicked out of his own band just before a festival gig and a support act tour with nightwish.. but that's another story.
@@jaapblaauw3735 Ah, I missunderstood your initial comment. Sorry ;)
Yeah I know he was kinda kicked out but in the end it turned out for the best as he founded Epica
@@dac2007 Considering that Epica is what AF would have become if Mark had his way--a chunk of the songs on the first Epica album were written for AF--and that Epica became way more successful than AF, I keep wondering whether Floor regretted her decision to side with Sander against Mark. It's also funny that AF lost Mark because Floor didn't want to do symphonic metal, and 10 years later she joined Nightwish. Guess she didn't want to make the same mistake twice!
Epica and Nightwish have been touring the states for many years. I’ve seen Epica in south Florida 2x once in a smaller venue and once in a larger one that I’ve also seen Nightwish, revamp, kamelot at. If Epica came down further for their other tours I would’ve been able to see them at least 4x . With all metal it’s an underground thing not for radio play which is understandable. Even Metallica for their first 4 albums got zero airplay .so welcome to the symphonic metal crowd.
What a great reaction you did dude!!! Pls react to more Epica. They are in my opinion by far the best symphonic metal band out there! This band has everything what I need in a band, from heavier metal with death metal elements to headbang on, beautiful eye tearing metal ballads and everything in between! React to Epica's stuff from Omega Alive, you will be blown away! 🤘🏻
"That chills" is the best comment I heard in a long time my friend. You've discoverd that there's a lot of great sympho metal talent in the Netherlands. We have also the great grandmother of frontwomen in my country. Try Anneke van Giersbergen with the gathering. ön most "surfaces" TG 25 in Doornroosje in my hometown.
Thanks Pieter I appreciate that and thank you for the recommendation!
I'm so agree with you. I discover Epica maybe 10 years ago, and had the same experience as you. The first song I was listening to, was "Cry for the Moon" that I still think is awesome.
Try also another dutch band called Delain, which is also great. They have a fantastic female singer as well.
There used to be
@@richardwest6358?
Great reaction to an amazing song.
I'm a fan of both bands but despite the Symphonic metal tag they are coming from different perspectives which is great. Nightwish have always been more rooted in Folk music and tend to be the warmer band to listen to. The songs and lyrics are more personal. Epica have a colder more metal sound and tend more towards concepts within their lyrics. Just two different approaches but both can do heavy and calm, light and shade. It is a very European thing although there are American bands and musicians within the scene. Although they do tend to be more integrated within the European metal scene. A band like Kamelot from Florida are a case in point. You should check them out at some point.
This is one of their heavier songs. They got great ballads as well.
Most Americans are new to Epica & Nightwish. I have been following since 2002 (NW) & 2008 (Epica). For more Epica check out Universal Death Squad (Official Lyric Video).
I am an American and love Epica. I've been an absolute fan for 12 years.
Welcome to the Netherlands hehehe 🤘😎🤘
Awesome band without ego. Mark is a musical genius, always pushing the boundaries.
there are lots of great songs of Epica, and a great one from After Forever is "Dreamflight" live at progpower USA 2007
The singers name is Simone Simons, she is a very good friend of Floor Jansen, watch them sing together!
Both Floor and SImone started in the '90s. This has been around for over 20 years. I only got bits and pieces until the 2010s.
I would love this one feat Tatiana Shmaylyuk. Maybe you would like to know that there is a song by Epica "Sancta Terra" feat Floor Jansen.
Yes, but Sancta Terra is not a good representation of Epica. People should only recommend it after several other songs from Epica, not as an introduction.
3.6M views prove otherwise. I don't think that's too decisive either, that depends on each one. In this line there is no favorable or unfavorable comment, I only mention the fact that this collaboration exists.
Yes you NEED to listen to After Forever! There's where Floor REALLY shines! After Forever depending on the album can be darker and a bit slower, or faster more proggy and less dark but still heavy.
So for the dark and slow: "Follow in the Cry" or "My Pledge of Allegiance #1".
Slightly faster: "Monolith of Doubt".
For Floor's beast vocals: "Between Love and Fire".
For something heavier and proggier: "Withering Time".
I feel the same as what you said in your intro man. I loove Nightwish, it's the band that got me into metal. But to me, Epica is THE symphonic metal band, period. Their heavyness combined with Simone's voice is just too perfect.
The drummer is blind as a bat. He's also probably the nicest guy I ever worked with.
One of the nicest bands as well, same goes for After Forever (although they have stopped so many years ago, is great to see Floor with Nightwish now), really very kind people. And rock ass shows, if you get the chance to see them live, please do and wait in the venue after the show, they often get into the audience space. Have been lucky to see and photographed them many times, from start and seen the grow into a fantastic band.
I grow up with Nightwish.. listening to Tarja Turunen... I first heard Epica on the 14th 2005 in their concert at Buenos Aires Argentina! 5 days after turning 25 years old hahaha I'm 41 and I still love them as the first time I've met them!!!!!! My favorite band ever ❤️ epican heart.
The other band that I adore is from Japan: Crystal Lake. Ryo Kinoshita... His vocals are so brutal... I just love them!
Another band that we are proud of as Dutchies. Floor and Simone are actually friends.
Floor & Simone are Friends, there is a a Concert where Floor is guest in an Epica Concert
That's awesome!
and vice versa, of course, with ReVamp
@@Killermcknight
Flor Jansen and Simone Simons Live, Sancta Terra: below
ruclips.net/video/cx22Yuj2nzg/видео.html
@@Killermcknight
Flor Jansen & Simone Simons= Stabat Mater Dolorosa: below
And you did one of the harshest songs first ;) EPICA is diverse too. You also have ballads beyond beautiful ("Rivers"), songs with Simone in the focus ("Unchain Utopia" Omega Alive) and the epic ones ("Kingdom of Heaven Part 3" Omega Alive). So Epica has this growls and Death Metal elements, but also a lot of song with beauty and Simone's angelic voice. Also NW has heavy shit like "Master Passion Greed" ruclips.net/video/hBTRq2Kgt3Q/видео.html (PLEASE REACT TO THIS) - but Tuomas is not a big fan of growls. That's why you only have them at "Yours is an empty Hope".
Marc, thanks for the Epica recommendations! I've also done Master passion greed :)
Floor performed with them, several times, two of the most beautiful performances featuring these two goddesses would be the live version of Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa. Def should check those out. New subscriber, always following my new symphonic metal fans.
Thank you Andy!
@@Killermcknight Sancta Terra is amazing, not that heavy as some other Epica's songs, but still great, the chemistry between Floor and Simone is something you rarely see.
Have a look at Ayreon.
Start with the official video: The day that the world brakes down. With Floor Jansen, Simone Simons etc.
Ayreon Universe live, with Floor and Irene Jansen, Anneke van Giersbergen, Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) etc.
The electric castle live and other tales. With Simone Simons and Mark Janssen (Epica), Anneke van Giersbergen etc.
See Wikipedia for everything on Ayreon.
yeah, Epica's drummer is...epic.
His nickname is "The Beast."
Epica is my favorite band. Every album just gets better
Ok...you said "let's go boys!" In your reaction...excuse! Girls rock just as hard, man! (I know it was just a slip, you're not a misogynist).
I love how they create a proper Viking battle pit! I'm only 5ft tall, but I'm with the moshers in spirit!
Lol I'm sorry Amy!!! I wanted to ask you about Ramstein I wanted to give them a listen but I have no idea where to start?
@@Killermcknight Du Hast live at Paris or Duetchland official music video.
@@Killermcknight Rammstein! You start with Du Hast Paris live official...then skip over to live stuff from MSG, Engel, Ich tu dir weh, Rammilied...from there Sonne, Mein Herz Brennt, Ich Will, Deutschland, Mein Teil, then work back to early stuff which rocks just as hard! I'll guide you!
Simone is married to a band member of Kamelot, and the band name was actually taken from a Kamelot album. Kamelot is a Goth Metal band. They have had a few vocalists, Roy Khantatat (Khan" is best, IMHO. Simone makes a great performance with Roy in the video "The Haunting". You would also like Kamelot's "March of Mephisto". For more songs from Epica, I would suggest "Chasing the Dragon" and "Chemical Insomnia". Note, Epica had a great performance at Wacken 2018. They also performed on several heavy metal cruises.
I wouldn't call Kamelot goth metal, they barely have elements of such style. They're more on the side of power/progressive metal. Kamelot and Epica have toured together in 2005 - Simone guest sang with Kamelot back then. That's when I first saw both Kamelot and Epica live, BTW. I recommend every Kamelot album with both Roy Khan and Tommy Karevik (the current singer).
Nowadays, Roy Khan is back with his old band called Conception.
Here we go🤘
Hell yes!!🤘
Sorry to tell: Americans are 10 or 20 years behind Europe in metal perfection.
Sabaton , Band Maid , Sabaton , Band Maid
Epica is killer , Nightwish grand , Lovebites insane , Nemophila insane ...... so many more the US needs to here to understand great music .
Hi Killermcknight, Epica's catalogue of music is extremely eclectic and varied, everything from the most beautiful ballads to vast melodic prog metal landscapes of music and occasionally very heavy, the singer is Simone Simons, usually Simone sings the majority of the vocals throughout their songs, most of the time she sings in a regular voice, occasionally going to the operatic style, a very different singer to Floor, but in her own style she is just stunning, as you will find out in future reactions :)
Epica is less symphonic and more metal . Mark Jansen left After forever & formed Epica with his girlfriend Simone Simons who is the lead vocalist. Simone & Floor have been best friends for many years.
How is Epica less symphonic? They are probably the most symphonic as well as most metal band in the symphonic metal subgenre :]
Btw, Simone and Floor are not best friends, though they are relatively good friends. Simone's best friend is probably Elize Ryd.
Epica is less symphonic? The hell you're talking about?
For me "Nightwish" is more symphonic than "Epica" because lately Epica introduce more metal sounds than symphonic sounds to their music... instead Nightwish seems more and more Soundtrack Symphonic for movies, for example:
*The Greatest Show on Earth: Nightwish
*The Poet and the Pendulum: Nightwish
ruclips.net/video/9-ESPvY7_lc/видео.html
ruclips.net/video/-sg5iiGLBt8/видео.html
Well like Monty python says always look on the bright side of life thats what nightwish and epica, within temptation, leaves eyes, edenbridge, and many more from across the pond have brought to many American's in these dark pandemic days
Loved your rant about Americans and metal. I live in the US and have been a metal fan since 1981. Always had to seek out good metal because you'll never hear any of it on mainstream radio. In the early 80's it was trips to the record store for NWOBHM imports, in the mid-80s it was the same to find German thrash to listen to along with American thrash. Then in the 90's it was using the internet to find all the rest of the awesome European metal bands and metal sub-genres that were available and I've never looked back. And I listen to most of those sub-genres so I have a huge catalog to pick from. And that same phenomenon has been happening with the plethora of Japanese rock/metal bands that have appeared the last few years. SO much new metal to listen to! 🤘 🤘
People in the US are arguing over who is the greatest singer of all time, Beyonce or Taylor Swift. I'm sitting back thinking, bitches please, those two aren't even on the list ANYWHERE. We have Floor, Simone, Tarja, Amy Lee, many many others, and you want to tell us Taylor Swift is the best? Yeah, NO.
In my little French-speaking corner of North America (Quebec, Canada) we seem to have a greater affinity for European metal, as whenever such a band comes over here it's always sold out. My brother is a big Amon Amarth fan and so I know from him that when they came to Montreal as part of their NA tour, they had to add an extra date because the demand was so freakin' high. I can't quite explain why. Me personally, I've been a fan of Epica since 2003 and look forward for every new album, as each new release has consistantly blown my mind. They are crazy creative, and I appreciate the heavier tone (though that doesn't mean I don't also love Nightwish).
You need to listen to the Kingdom of Heaven 3-parter.
Epica are one of my favorites. Also been checking out MaYan recently, another band by Mark Jansen with a few Epica members. Definitely look them up and more Epica.
I've heard of MaYan before never listened to any of their songs is it heavier?
@@Killermcknight As heavy at least. This would be a great video to react to, there is a lot going on 🤣
ruclips.net/video/u5TQqUD74OE/видео.html
The singer from Nightwish and the singer from Epica came from the Netherlands and they are best frends Simone start her singing with 17years and is now 43years old and is one of the best sopranos in Metall 🤘 🤘
Blast this with the windows down on a warm summer day. You won’t regret it
I loved to see your mind figuratively explode man!🤘 I'm Dutch and due to C I still haven't seen them :-( In terms of Americans have no idea, I suggest Sabaton - Christmas Truce 👏
The ones you should listen to are "victims of contingency" live version and "universal death squad" they are amazing! Greetings from Chile 🇨🇱
viking vibes a must Leaves eyes blazing waters a pure viking goddess your way
As an NigthWishfan I have to say that Epica is real competetor to the best metallic band in the world.
Great reaction! You should react to Kingdom of Heaven (live), Skeleton Key..... You will love it! Cheers from Brazil...
Thank you and will do!
I looooove this band. So good. Check out The Essence of Silence, Abyss of Time, Skeleton Key ... so many to pick from haha.
Epica is still the only band I've found that's good enough to have a tattoo on me.
My fav band s are Sabaton Nightwish epica guess you would like Sabaton Swedish pagans live
I always liked Epica more than NW. I find their rythms more interesting.
I kinda feel the same
Sameeee
Ik ook
Gotta love Symphonic Metal. Great reaction.
Thanks Andy!
Great reaction. Cheers from tha Low Countries !
Epica is an awesome band for sure! Since you talk about Valhalla, maybe you should add "Blind Guardian - The Bard's Song & Valhalla - Live at Wacken Open Air 2016" to the list ;)
Rene, that's so funny that you mention that because I just posted a video on Blind Guardian today! Hope you check it out!
Hello i just subscribed:) I think you are ready for Wintersun, the most epic viking metal from Finland you will ever hear. Its also symphonic style with a mastermind modern day Mozart named Jari Mäenpää who writes all their music, sings and shreds. For me i think you have to start with Live rehearsals at sonic pump studios, they have 3 songs from their album Time. If you love Epica you will not be dissapointed with Wintersun. I would love to see your jaw drop when you here them for the first time. lets go! BTW two of Wintersuns bandmembers Kai on drums and Jukka on base plays for Nightwish atm.
Thanks Matti oh how wintersun is on my radar it's coming very soon
Love the steampunk art you have behind you!
thank you! It's all over my apartment!
@@Killermcknight OMG! What a good taste!
Love steampunk!
Liking the reaction vids so far. I think I am narrowing down what you would really get into. I have not read through all the comments in your vids to see how many times they have been suggested, but almost anything by 'Unleash the Archers' (but start with 'Awakening')! I hope to see you react to them in the near future. By the way they are a Canadian band. Cheers!
Definitely will check them out
@@Killermcknight Awesome! I will be watching for it.
The vocalist, Simone Simmons is a very good friend of Floor Jansen's. They did several songs together at Epica's Retrospect concert
Very Epica. From, as we call ourselves, a tiny froggie country: the Netherlands. It lays way down under sealevel. So it's often overseen. And as most Americans a lot of Dutch people never heard of them either. Isn't that funny.
🤔🤔
That's indeed insane, i don't understand why Epica isn't more respected/wel known in our own Netherlands.
I am from our little country too. Indeed a lot of people don't know Epica and Simone in the Netherlands. But since Floor joined Beste Zangers it seems to go a bit better with metal over here and after Anneke van Gierbergen also participated in this show I hope Simone will be the next.
@@ayleid4925 it's because Epica is metal and that is not mainstream in the Netherlands
I’m an American and been listening to Nightwish since the beginning(‘97) and Epica(‘04) and in Hawaii of all places. In the 90’s the Internet was in its infancy. I had to find the metal gems in metal magazines, metal cd compilations and scour the used sections also buy based off of the album cover. You just had to know where to look and also lots of special orders. I soon realized back then that I was a European metal fan. 90% of metal I listened to was not American. They had so much more musicality to offer.
Suggest you check out Epicas 'Sancta Terra' Live Retrospect show featuring Floor Jansen. An awesome song which will blow your mind!! Subscribed to follow your journey with Epica and Nightwish.
simone the singer came with 17years to Epica and is now 43years old and is one of the best sopranos in Metall 🤘
Try Epica and Floor Jensan ,Sancta Terra (Retrospect Live ) with Simone Simons ..
Hey 👋🏻
I have been following you since you started on your Jinjer journey and I really enjoy all your reactions 😊👍🏻 I have a band suggestion for you: Tallah. It's a relatively new nu-metal band. The singer, Justin Bonitz, has a very unique style and an impressive range. Another fun fact: The drummer (Max Portnoy) is the son of Dream Theater's drummer, Mike Portnoy. It's hard to pick which song to start with, they're so different from each other but let's just say 'Overconfidence' or their newest single 'Vanilla Paste'. 🤘🏼
Fjola, I know you have and thank you so much for the support! I have Tallah on my list I will definitely be reacting to them in the near future!
Wow, you are one of the few to actually do it so many like nope hear symphonic death metal and like nope but man Simone's voice is really insane give you goosebumps. Yeah, Sancta Terra features Floor live it's crazy I discovered the band when I was 17 first Symphonic metal band ever little did I know I was also listening to a 17-year-old girl whose voice was that good then even it's changed a little but not much just got even more haunting.
If you want to listen to Symphonic metal and understand it you need good headphones basically ones that can handle higher pitches Classical singing is way harsher than Floor's more Operatic theatre style.
After Epica and Nightwish, try Therion.
EPICA got about 25 more songs like this solid
I’ve got an Ukrainian war refugee staying with me, when I told her I was into this music she was taken aback and said that it was the last thing she expected of me being a 62 year old widowed grandmother! But you know what’s not to love, it’s not age related!
if you love this I'd give this one a try a real banger EPICA - Universal Death Squad (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
Thanks Jan will do
I consider myself so lucky to have seen Epica several times in the Baltimore/NOVA area \m/
Maybe most Americans haven't heard of this genre, but there are still a lot of us (Americans) that to do often listen to stuff like Epica, Nightwish, Apocalyptica, Opeth, Gojira, Jinger, Sabaton, Lacuna Coil, and others.
It's true I'm just now getting introduced to music like this and it's blowing my freaking mind.
@@Killermcknight Awesome! Have you listened to any Opeth? (If not, you should give that band a listen.)
I went to this show, at Zénith (Paris) 5 years ago (I think). It was absolutly Epic !
It was Mark Jansen he start Epica Simone vame wirh 17years to Epica and is now 43years old and is one of the best sopranos in Metall 🤘
Not all Americans. Been listening to epica since 2003. And nightwish since 2000.
Within temptation since 1999.
Symphonic metal is wonderful. Therion since before I can remember.
Épica es lo mejor !!! 🖤
Floor and Simone are good friends and have collaborated in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Floor performes 3 songs with Simone during the show Epica gave for their anniversery.
They also often collaborate on Ayreon albums so you may want to check out 'The day that the World breaks down.' I must warn you that this will only send you further down the rabbit hole.
so, try "slaying the dreamer" live in Buenos Aeres: great heavy riff inside and "yours in an empty hope"
For Epica my top 1 is "design your universe" at retrospect live.
Added!