Welcome to the world of Epica, over 20 years of music to explore! First song, Cry for the Moon was one of their first ever written. This was a studio session for a Dutch TV show recorded in 2004 (Epica are Dutch). Simone was 19 at this time. She started classical training aged 15 and joined Epica at 17. Her voice developed from the Mezzo Soprano style you hear in Cry for the Moon to a full soprano, which you can hear particularly in Consign to Oblivion. You will also see that their style get’s heavier over the years. They use Marks growl and Simone’s operatic style as a contrast in many of their songs. Consign to Oblivion is one of the few Epica songs where Marks growls are more dominant. Often they are just used as an accent and Simone does most of the vocals. This version of Consign to Oblivion was live in Paris in 2017, so a full 13 years after the Cry for the Moon performance. They are also adept at playing many different styles and have done some great acoustic numbers, ballads and all sorts. Simone’s range, not just in high / low register but vocal styles is unmatched in my view. Just so much to explore, hope you enjoy the journey, I know I have. Try these out… Edge of the Blade… ruclips.net/video/D_QLQHkj1XU/видео.html Dancing in a Hurricane live at the Zenith… ruclips.net/video/ENT-EsMyEDg/видео.html Victims of Contingency Omega Alive… ruclips.net/video/aT1JsH2_97c/видео.html Once Upon a Nightmare Omega Alive… ruclips.net/video/oseRJV0iEJs/видео.html I recommend that you also watch the live version of Unleashed at the Retrospect 10th Anniversary show. Fantastic use of full orchestra and choir… ruclips.net/video/rxd6sxLxdys/видео.html
Another thing Epica fans love is when the first thing you say is "Oh, she’s gorgeous!" :-D Simone Simons is a Dutch singer who started with Epica at the age of 17. (She’s 18 in the first video, I think.) Most metal bands toil for years playing in bars, often unpaid, hoping to get a record deal someday. Because Mark Jansen (band leader, guitarist) already went through that with his previous band After Forever (he was kicked out of AF because his bandmates Sander Gommans and Floor Jansen didn't want to do symphonic metal), Epica was able to get a record deal basically as soon as Mark was able to put together a band and a demo. Originally they had a different singer, but it didn't work out with her, so he asked Simone, who was his girlfriend at the time. She had no professional singing experience, and had only sung on stage once, in a school musical. The really funny part is that Simone didn't tell her parents that she was in a band until the night of their first show! I would love to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation: "Um, I'm in this metal band, we're the opening act at Klokgebouw tonight (a 3000-seat venue), here's our CD, that's me on the cover, sorry about all the cleavage..." They must have been simultaneously so shocked and so proud. Simone never had to audition once, Epica became successful very quickly and never broke up (even when Simone and Mark's relationship broke up), so she never had to work a "real" job in her life. Despite this, she is quite kind and down to earth, even shy.
EPICA is a Dutch symphonic metal band ,formed in 2002 by guitarist, and harsh vocalist, Mark Jansen after parting ways with his former band After Forever. Mark had co-founded AF, which was the first band Floor Jansen joined at age 16(Mark and Flor aren't related. Lead singer is Simone Simons, she switched to this style in training , from pop, after hearing Tarja with Nightwish. She was 17 when she started. In the Cry For the Moon video you watched, other band members were Coen Janssen on keyboards, Ad Sluijter on guitar, bassist Yves Huts, and drummer Joroen Simons. Ad ,Yves ,and Jeroen have left the band, being replaced by Isaac Delahaye on guitar, bassist Rob van der Loo, and drummer Arien van Weesenbeek. You saw those 3 in Consign to Oblivion, with Simone, Mark, and Coen. Plenty to choose from if you want to continue. 8 albums and several EP's to date. These 3 are all older(from the 1st, 4th, and 2nd albums) A newer song next?? The Skeleton Key or Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 (Omega Alive virtual show)
I've seen Epica in concert multiple times; most recently October 2022 opening for Sabaton in Philadelphia, PA. They are one of my all-time favorite metal bands. One of my favorite songs of theirs is "The Essence of Silence".
I got to see them live in concert a few weeks ago in England, hearing Simone sing live was mind blowing, one of the most unique and talented bands in the world, no other band sounds like EPICA
@@NeilOosthuizen Shame lol we got to see them earlier this year in Leeds and many times before fortunately , Sorry to be so predictable but an EPIC band , never disappoint and Simone is other worldly
I liked this video and subscribed for three reasons: 1. You liked Simone as much as I did. 2. You discovered Epica with the same song as me in my teens. 3. You have a Charmarder, the best of the video. Greetings from Mexico.
To explain the video to Unleashed: The guy got shot when he and his girlfriend came home and found a burgler. He died from that shot, but his spirit was unable to accept that and move on, so he kept trying to live his old life. That's why his GF kept seemingly ignoring him. Meanwhile the members of Epica appeared to him like angels trying to get him to move on. Eventually his spirit went mad, but was finally able to move on.
Some very intelligent birds (and other animals) can really appreciate the complexities of music. Your bird is so lucky! You are going to raise that one to appreciate Metal and he really seems to love it!
I love it when people who are unfamiliar with symphonic metal react to Epica for the first time, and it's one of the times they're playing with classical musicians or a whole orchestra. It's so much fun watching someone get their mind blown: "I've never seen anything like this before!" or "I can't believe this is happening!" :-D You're delightful, btw. Such enthusiasm and good humor. And I also like the way you do a bunch of songs in one go, so you get a better sense of what the band is capable of. Subscribed!
One of the best reactions I've seen from Epica in recent times! And that bird moving its head to the rhythm of the music made my day!😍☺ Recommendations: Design your universe live Retrospect, Rivers (Omega alive acapella version or Live in Chile), Chasing the dragon live retrospect, In all conscience (Omega Alive). Greetings from Argentina!
Hello beautiful girl! Welcome to another rabbit hole! I'm looking forward seeing your reaction to their ballads which, simply, are awesome! TIDES OF TIME, RIVERS, SOLITARY GROUND, TWIN FLAMES, ONCE UPON A NIGHTMARE, FEINT and more. And, of course, THE PHANTOM AGONY, a benchmark of symphonic metal (the old 9mins version, not the remastered one). Greetings from still mourned Greece!
If you're going to do "Phantom Agony," PLEASE do the live Retrospect version. Not only is Simone's performance incomparably better than the studio version, but it's really beautifully shot too.
Love the band, and Simone my favorite singer. Anything from the Retrospect consert would a great suggestion, mine would be Epica - design your univers (live retrospect)
So happy to see you react to Epica. You definitely dived right in with some of their more complex and heavy songs! Some suggestions for another round of Epica: Rivers (OFFICIAL VISUALIZER) Unchain Utopia - (ΩMEGA ALIVE) (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Yay Epica! "Look at that voice" is pretty much how I react to Simone Simons as well hahaha! That said, live Epica is the way to go, I suggest Chasing the Dragon and Design Your Universe livet at Retrospect 2013. And if you need a good cry, try Epica - Tides of Time, most beautiful ballad ever IMO.
I always like your reactions and now you watched one of my favorite bands! 🙂 The singer here, Simone Simons also did a duett with Floor Jansen from Nightwish. Look out for "Sancta Terra"!
I love how this is the first time seeing your channel and a random birb shows up, and I'm here for it. I'm glad you're checking out Epica but that bird got me, especially during Consign to Oblivion, I love it!
Glad you enjoyed them! I saw Epica with Sabaton in the fall and they are absolutely phenomenal live (both bands, really). I'd also strongly recommend checking out some of the other Symphonic and Power metal bands. Within Temptation, Delain (pre-2020), Kamelot, Battle Beast, and Beast in Black all have incredible singers.
I saw Epica live for the first time 20 years ago or so, when they were playing in front of 200 people or so and still had the possibility to have a chat with fans after the show. They are just the sweetest people. Simone was still very young back then and still a bit shy on stage, but all musicians obviously had so much fun doing what they did. I saw them live again this January and was so glad that after all these years, they are still enjoying themselves on stage.
When I listened to your comments on Cry for the moon, I thought, OMG you have no idea what is coming :) If you want to discover them a bit more, check the Omega Live songs out. They have great performances associated to them and the songs are amazing. Jami, you opened the ultimate door to European Symphonic Metal. Welcome.
Btw. "Cry For Te Moon" (2003) is a statement against organized religion. In specific this song deals about the sexual abuse of little children by catholic priests behind closed church doors. It also states the hypocritic behavior of these priests (and the church in general) telling us what to do and not to do, accusing us of being sinful, while committing worse crimes themself.
Awesome to see you digging into some Epica! Epica also does some rock ballads, which may be interesting to delve into: * "Tides of Time", almost like classical aria: ruclips.net/video/eALDD5XaQuw/видео.html * "Rivers", here in a live a capella version: ruclips.net/video/7geGtgjyQlI/видео.html * "Chasing the Dragon", from their 10th anniversary show called "retrospect": ruclips.net/video/WFXzKI215Us/видео.html Happy listening!
Bro, for "Tides of Time" we have this great fan-made lyric video which also shows our Goddess in action 🙂 ruclips.net/video/sn765tJuaoE/видео.html Also mention that your "Chasing the Dragon" video has lyrics in it, but they need to be switched on. 🙂
Epica is a great band. The one you started with is among one of my favorites for a personal reason. It's part of a 'project' called The Embrace that Smothers, a series of songs emphasising the dangers of organized religion and the suffering it has caused in the past. It's personal because that message hits close to home. Was raised a christian, left that all behind me and took me some time to step away from the anger I felt. The songs of The Embrace can still bring me to tears because they're beautiful and so on point. Loved your reactions. 🙂
For taste of Simone's high notes, check out e.g. the "Rivers". Duets with Floor Jansen are epic too, e.g. "Sweet Curse", "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" etc. 🤘🙂👍
Love Epica! My favorite band since 2005. You made a right choice by picking the official live video for Consign to Oblivion, because it's an amazing live song! Also this band is incredible live! You should also check out: - Unchain Utopia (Omega Alive) - Kingdom of Heaven part 3 (Omega Alive) - Kingdom of heaven part 1 & 2 (part 1 has a fanmade live video and for part 2 you have to pick a lyric video) - Design Your Universe (Retrospect live) - Chasing the Dragon (Retrospect) - The Essence of Silence (official live) - Dancing in a Hurricane (official live) - Beyond the Matrix (Official live) - The Holographic Principle (Lyric video) - Fools of Damnation (lyric video) - The Final Lullaby (official video) - Rivers (One shot official live video) - Once Upon a Nightmare (I thought the Omega alive version is somewhere on youtube) - Tides of Time (Lyric video)
Epica took their name from a Kamelot album, and Cry for the Moon was their first hit song. I believe Simone was still a teenager in that video, nearly 20 years ago. She's only gotten better with time, improving her voice. Mark Jansen did the harsh vocals on those songs. Not related to Floor Jansen, but they did used to date, and were both in a band called After Forever. I did get to see Epica live, in 2016, in a very small local venue. They have a large enough catalog of songs that I don't think I heard any of those 3 at that concert.
A few precisions: "Cry for the Moon" was the first song they released. So it is simply officially their first song. Both "Cry for the Moon" and "Consign to Oblivion" are among their most played songs in concerts. CTTM as their classic, and CTO as their heavy show closer. From the setlist fm stats: Cry for the Moon (1107) Consign to Oblivion (945)
Pretty sure Mark and Floor did not date. She was in a long term relationship with Sander Gommans, who along with Mark founded After Forever. Mark left After Forever when he Sander had different ideas on where they wanted the band to go musically and with Floor and Sander as a couple he knew he would loose out to them. Mark and Simone were a couple for the first few years of Epica but then split up but agreed to continue to work together because the band was more important then their romantic relationship.
Tuomas of Nightwish gets called the Metal Mozart. But Epica seems like the kind of music Beethoven would have got into if he had the instruments. And the voices.
@@cheezy2455 Simone and Mark would not be bested. In fact over the years as I hear ever more of Simone, the purity of her crystalline voice is just amazing
.... and, it only gets better from here. Srsly Welcome in. There's a special perch on the wall, for your bird ... when you drop your jaw, they tend to climb in (don't ask me how I know). I hope that portion of your audience which is from the 'pop side' follows Epica with you. hese incredible metal bands need more recognition and appreciation by the masses. But you are here, and that is what is important. .... If you want some off-the-beaten-track fun, Simone (the singer did a version of "This is Halloween" (Danny Elfman/Tim Burton's Nightmare before Christmas). Her Husband, Oliver Palotai (keyboard/arranger for Kamelot) adds in his instrumentation and voice as well. It's Very Darkly Cute. Headbobs to your bird. (I speak parakeet, but not parrot)
Second song, "Unleashed"... it's got kind of a "Sixth Sense" thing going on. You see it in the newspaper in the last shot. The man dies in the opening scene. What you see after that is his spirit, lingering in the world. The band represents "Angels of Death", sent to guide him to the next life, but he resists, runs away and is driven mad by it, but ultimately cannot escape... or something like that. That's what I take from it. In that context, the lyric really makes sense. They're calling him to let go of his life and move on. "When I'm free When my sun has set Release my soul forever I'll have no regret To be free I'll exist again No more lost endeavors Nothing to contend When I'm free" But the video, while very well produced, is secondary to the song. Don't get hung up on the visuals, that's just the cherry on top, so to speak.
Well, welcome to the wonderful world of Epica! You'll not be disappointed haha. I have to say, it was quite delightful to see your reactions to your introduction to their music. I 'm sure some of the recommendations I'll give will have already been proposed to you, but here goes (also recommending finding live videos for these if possible): Rivers, Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 (Omega Alive, best livestream ever made, just so you know), The Essence of Silence (live 2014), The Miner, Sirens - Of Blood and Water, Once Upon a Nightmare, Tides of Time, Chasing the Dragon (Retrospect 10 year anniversary show), The Obsessive Devotion (Omega Alive, and it is important to note that no Smoon were hurt during the making of the show🤣), Code of Life, The Skeleton Key (Omega Alive). I'd also recommend one of my all-time favourites: Fifth Guardian (and interlude) + Chemical Insomnia. No idea if there is a live version of this song out there aside from the launch concert, but even then, I highly recommend. But honestly, just go for it, you'll not regret anything.
14:15 I read somewhere that the band's take on this song is about a person dying and finding themselves in limbo, not able to break the earthly bonds that were so dear to them. So the protagonist just tries to carry on, not comprehending that he's gone and everyone is trying to move on through the pain. The band members act as unearthly messengers signalling that he is free to depart - to be "unleashed". The crisis of the dying mind is finally over and he is able to depart. EPICA are one of the deepest bands as far as conception of the stories they tell. Plus they put it all to astounding music. The best in art - the genre is no longer relevant. P. S.: I would really love you to get acquainted with their 10th Anniversary show "Retrospect", which has probably been mentioned already by other viewers. "Design Your Universe" is my personal favorite just because it covers the whole gamut of moods EPICA is capable of taking us through!
You should go see them live if you get the opportunity. Metal heads are actually very respectful. That moshpit only exists within a defined circle. As long as you don't go into that circle, you won't get hurt. There are fans on the outer edges that push the crazy kids back into the center if they get too far away from the action. So it's a lot safer than it looks.
Really fun seeing your response! Try to always find live performances... so much better than their music videos. Unleashed from the Retrospect concert is so much better with a cull orchestra and choir. And Epica's lyrics are usually pretty dark. End of the world, drug addiction, not letting success go to your head, how war affects children in Syria, ugh... But they are really beautiful songs.
With Epica, the live versions are best for reactions. They put a lot of work (and money!) into putting on the best live shows they can. Plus then you don't get distracted by narratively confusing videos. For example, the best version of "Unleashed" is from the Masters of Rock festival, and in the same video they also perform another song called "Storm the Sorrow," which showcases their less heavy, radio-friendly side. Here's a link, so you can see what I mean: ruclips.net/video/Xkth6veR9AU/видео.html
Simone Simmons the singer is a close friend of Floor Jansen, they shared a room/apartment at the time they did study music Rock/Opera. So the know each other for a long time. Floor Jansen does 2 songs with Simone and Epica. But the way the guy (if I am correct his name is Mark Jansen, no family of Floor, just same last name) who did form Epica 2003, was a part of After For Ever, Floor Jansens first band 1995 to 2009, he did leave in 2002. Live songs of Floor with Simone and Epica: Santa Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa, both live from the: Live Retrospect Show, with full orchestra and choir on stage. Like your reactions 👍👍
I hate to say that you didn't even come close to the surface what Epica concerns. Welcome to the world of symphonic metal and Rabbit-whole called Epica. Enjoy the journey. 🤘😉
Com esse sotaque perfeito nunca me passou pela cabeça que seria brasileira. Assisti o vídeo todo e só fui descobrir ao ler a descrição do canal. Adorei a reação e já estou inscrito.
This was amazing! Thank you for taking us on this journey! Epica is everything I want from music! There are so many fabulous songs, but another astonishing live performance is Unchain Utopia from the Omega Livestream Show: ruclips.net/video/c8XdrOhEZl0/видео.html
epica is amazing, great choice, check out Design your universe live retrospect as well it will give you goosebumps..also you should have done unleashed live, it is 100x better
Hi Jami, thanks for reacting to Epica. They are amazing! Simone Simons is just like Floor Jansen one of the best female singers from the Netherlands. I also have a suggestion for an awesome male singer. He is the lead guitarist of Sabaton and his name is Tommy Johansson. He is a multi instrumentalist and has a vocal range of F2-C6. Every friday he does a cover on his RUclips channel. Check out this song of Josh Groban - "You Raise Me Up" done by Tommy as a challenge (1 octave higher than the original). Here is the link to the video: ruclips.net/video/zoGJ7mxNq0M/видео.html Greetings and lots of love from The Netherlands, Martin
Now that you have experienced Floor (Nightwish) and SImone (Epica) separately, you should check them out together in Sancta Terra...simply amazing. Here are a couple other incredible female vocalist you may enjoy. Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), Charlotte Wessels (formerly of Delain), Anneke van Giersbergen (Aryeon project and a duet with Sharon). Enjoy!!
You really should react to Sancta Terra featuring Floor Jansen (also a Dutch singer, she's the singer in Nightwish)! It's such a beautiful song, with so much emotion and Simones and Floors voices are so beutiful together, I've got goosebumps just thinking about that song.
I've never seen the video for Unleashed before now. It looks like they're doing a kind of Sixth Sense thing, where he's dead but doesn't know it. Going by the song lyrics, this is one of those metal songs where "I'm about to die, but death is good!" Consider the lyric "When my sun has set/release myself forever/I'll exist again." So it's like the character in the song is about to die, but thinks they'll be reincarnated or freed in the afterlife. It's kind of a trope you find in metal songs. I assume it must be written by Mark, because Simone is an atheist. With Epica, usually the live versions are better. Check the video of this song at their anniversary concert Retrospect, where they play with a 40 piece choir and 60 piece orchestra! P.S. Love your reactions! Hope Muriel can be in all of them going forward ❤
It's called head voice (used in opera) and it can definitely grow on you. Especially if you realise that anyone can sing with their chest voice (same as your normal speaking voice) but using a proper head voice requires classical training and it takes years to develop. Only a few ladies in metal are classically trained and to me it makes them more special. Simone in these old videos still had a relatively immature soprano, but it's fine, this is metal, not opera. To me, this was the most beautiful voice I've ever heard and no one has surpassed it in my book. She has improved her technique over years, but I'll forever be in love with this young soprano. Very very unique sound, so warm and ethereal. Stunningly beautiful, just like Simone herself. 🙂
Some of the biggest metal songs are quite long. HAve you treid keeper of the seven keys by helloween? Live pumpkins united great show and a genre defining song that has three decades on it now just timeless. And more than one singer because they reunited with their old one and went on together.
![ROSÉ(로제) - APT. (Band VER.) (With. 이영지) [더 시즌즈-이영지의 레인보우] | KBS 241129 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IW8qaemx74g/mqdefault.jpg)
![NLE Choppa - Or What ft. 41 (Orchestra Mix) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/biOFASEgSOM/mqdefault.jpg)
You get bonus points for bringing a headbanging bird.
so true !!
Welcome to the world of Epica, over 20 years of music to explore!
First song, Cry for the Moon was one of their first ever written. This was a studio session for a Dutch TV show recorded in 2004 (Epica are Dutch). Simone was 19 at this time. She started classical training aged 15 and joined Epica at 17.
Her voice developed from the Mezzo Soprano style you hear in Cry for the Moon to a full soprano, which you can hear particularly in Consign to Oblivion.
You will also see that their style get’s heavier over the years. They use Marks growl and Simone’s operatic style as a contrast in many of their songs.
Consign to Oblivion is one of the few Epica songs where Marks growls are more dominant. Often they are just used as an accent and Simone does most of the vocals.
This version of Consign to Oblivion was live in Paris in 2017, so a full 13 years after the Cry for the Moon performance.
They are also adept at playing many different styles and have done some great acoustic numbers, ballads and all sorts.
Simone’s range, not just in high / low register but vocal styles is unmatched in my view. Just so much to explore, hope you enjoy the journey, I know I have.
Try these out…
Edge of the Blade… ruclips.net/video/D_QLQHkj1XU/видео.html
Dancing in a Hurricane live at the Zenith… ruclips.net/video/ENT-EsMyEDg/видео.html
Victims of Contingency Omega Alive… ruclips.net/video/aT1JsH2_97c/видео.html
Once Upon a Nightmare Omega Alive… ruclips.net/video/oseRJV0iEJs/видео.html
I recommend that you also watch the live version of Unleashed at the Retrospect 10th Anniversary show. Fantastic use of full orchestra and choir… ruclips.net/video/rxd6sxLxdys/видео.html
Yes, Must see Unleashed live at Retrospect. Sounds even better.
@@rnowak85 WAY better yes!
Good job Mike.
I'm glad there are more Epicans taking time and effort to write such introductions. 😉
Thanks, we need more Epica reactions on here.
@@mikedown3219 Definitely!
Lol, even your bird has become metal head. It was headbanging like there's no tomorrow. 😂
Another thing Epica fans love is when the first thing you say is "Oh, she’s gorgeous!" :-D
Simone Simons is a Dutch singer who started with Epica at the age of 17. (She’s 18 in the first video, I think.) Most metal bands toil for years playing in bars, often unpaid, hoping to get a record deal someday. Because Mark Jansen (band leader, guitarist) already went through that with his previous band After Forever (he was kicked out of AF because his bandmates Sander Gommans and Floor Jansen didn't want to do symphonic metal), Epica was able to get a record deal basically as soon as Mark was able to put together a band and a demo. Originally they had a different singer, but it didn't work out with her, so he asked Simone, who was his girlfriend at the time. She had no professional singing experience, and had only sung on stage once, in a school musical.
The really funny part is that Simone didn't tell her parents that she was in a band until the night of their first show! I would love to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation: "Um, I'm in this metal band, we're the opening act at Klokgebouw tonight (a 3000-seat venue), here's our CD, that's me on the cover, sorry about all the cleavage..." They must have been simultaneously so shocked and so proud.
Simone never had to audition once, Epica became successful very quickly and never broke up (even when Simone and Mark's relationship broke up), so she never had to work a "real" job in her life. Despite this, she is quite kind and down to earth, even shy.
My country must be proud of their epic band!
YES EPICA IS BEAUTIFUL METAL SEEN THEM 5 TIMES NOW I KNOW
EPICA is a Dutch symphonic metal band ,formed in 2002 by guitarist, and harsh vocalist, Mark Jansen after parting ways with his former band After Forever. Mark had co-founded AF, which was the first band Floor Jansen joined at age 16(Mark and Flor aren't related.
Lead singer is Simone Simons, she switched to this style in training , from pop, after hearing Tarja with Nightwish. She was 17 when she started. In the Cry For the Moon video you watched, other band members were Coen Janssen on keyboards, Ad Sluijter on guitar, bassist Yves Huts, and drummer Joroen Simons. Ad ,Yves ,and Jeroen have left the band, being replaced by Isaac Delahaye on guitar, bassist Rob van der Loo, and drummer Arien van Weesenbeek. You saw those 3 in Consign to Oblivion, with Simone, Mark, and Coen. Plenty to choose from if you want to continue. 8 albums and several EP's to date. These 3 are all older(from the 1st, 4th, and 2nd albums) A newer song next?? The Skeleton Key or Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 (Omega Alive virtual show)
I've seen Epica in concert multiple times; most recently October 2022 opening for Sabaton in Philadelphia, PA. They are one of my all-time favorite metal bands. One of my favorite songs of theirs is "The Essence of Silence".
I got to see them live in concert a few weeks ago in England, hearing Simone sing live was mind blowing, one of the most unique and talented bands in the world, no other band sounds like EPICA
Epica in the UK just a few weeks ago... crap. To many bands to track :'(
@@NeilOosthuizen Shame lol we got to see them earlier this year in Leeds and many times before fortunately , Sorry to be so predictable but an EPIC band , never disappoint and Simone is other worldly
EPICA...what else can you say, the summit of symphonic METAL and Simone is The Siren Of The Earth! Love them!!
I liked this video and subscribed for three reasons:
1. You liked Simone as much as I did.
2. You discovered Epica with the same song as me in my teens.
3. You have a Charmarder, the best of the video.
Greetings from Mexico.
To explain the video to Unleashed: The guy got shot when he and his girlfriend came home and found a burgler. He died from that shot, but his spirit was unable to accept that and move on, so he kept trying to live his old life. That's why his GF kept seemingly ignoring him. Meanwhile the members of Epica appeared to him like angels trying to get him to move on. Eventually his spirit went mad, but was finally able to move on.
EPICA are amazing! You picked the right live video for the last one.
Some very intelligent birds (and other animals) can really appreciate the complexities of music. Your bird is so lucky! You are going to raise that one to appreciate Metal and he really seems to love it!
I love it when people who are unfamiliar with symphonic metal react to Epica for the first time, and it's one of the times they're playing with classical musicians or a whole orchestra. It's so much fun watching someone get their mind blown: "I've never seen anything like this before!" or "I can't believe this is happening!" :-D
You're delightful, btw. Such enthusiasm and good humor. And I also like the way you do a bunch of songs in one go, so you get a better sense of what the band is capable of. Subscribed!
One of the best reactions I've seen from Epica in recent times! And that bird moving its head to the rhythm of the music made my day!😍☺
Recommendations: Design your universe live Retrospect, Rivers (Omega alive acapella version or Live in Chile), Chasing the dragon live retrospect, In all conscience (Omega Alive).
Greetings from Argentina!
Oh my god the parrot is headbanging xD
Hello beautiful girl! Welcome to another rabbit hole! I'm looking forward seeing your reaction to their ballads which, simply, are awesome! TIDES OF TIME, RIVERS, SOLITARY GROUND, TWIN FLAMES, ONCE UPON A NIGHTMARE, FEINT and more. And, of course, THE PHANTOM AGONY, a benchmark of symphonic metal (the old 9mins version, not the remastered one). Greetings from still mourned Greece!
Hey Ioannis. Why not remastered? The full 9 minute version has been remastered too!
@@cancelled_user You're right my friend, I meant the remastered video clip which is sorter. Thank you and greetings!
If you're going to do "Phantom Agony," PLEASE do the live Retrospect version. Not only is Simone's performance incomparably better than the studio version, but it's really beautifully shot too.
Love the band, and Simone my favorite singer. Anything from the Retrospect consert would a great suggestion, mine would be Epica - design your univers (live retrospect)
So happy to see you react to Epica. You definitely dived right in with some of their more complex and heavy songs! Some suggestions for another round of Epica:
Rivers (OFFICIAL VISUALIZER)
Unchain Utopia - (ΩMEGA ALIVE) (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
also upscaled old video: EPICA - The Last Crusade (Live At Paradiso-OFFICIAL LIVE VIDEO)
I concur, Unchained Utopia is one of my favorites as well. Pls check that
Great reaction Epica is such an amazing band, one of the best out there an my favorite one without doubt. 😉👌🏻
You will love their retrospect show with a full Orchestra and choir on stage .it was their 10 year anivercery show
Even though the official upload is audio only, I heartily recommend their ballad Tides of time
This link keeps the great studio version + Live footage + Lyrics
ruclips.net/video/sn765tJuaoE/видео.html
Yay Epica! "Look at that voice" is pretty much how I react to Simone Simons as well hahaha! That said, live Epica is the way to go, I suggest Chasing the Dragon and Design Your Universe livet at Retrospect 2013. And if you need a good cry, try Epica - Tides of Time, most beautiful ballad ever IMO.
I got tears I love the whole thing so much talent love the strings they are epic love your channle keep rocking
I always like your reactions and now you watched one of my favorite bands! 🙂
The singer here, Simone Simons also did a duett with Floor Jansen from Nightwish. Look out for "Sancta Terra"!
OK, you already found it yourself! I look forward to part 2!
Maybe include "Rivers" then. :-)
I love how this is the first time seeing your channel and a random birb shows up, and I'm here for it. I'm glad you're checking out Epica but that bird got me, especially during Consign to Oblivion, I love it!
It looked like he was headbanging, it was great!
Glad you enjoyed them! I saw Epica with Sabaton in the fall and they are absolutely phenomenal live (both bands, really). I'd also strongly recommend checking out some of the other Symphonic and Power metal bands. Within Temptation, Delain (pre-2020), Kamelot, Battle Beast, and Beast in Black all have incredible singers.
Delain's current singer is incredible as well.
@@Modnar621 indeed I love "new" Delain also big time!
Epica and Sabaton must have been incredible...wow!!!
THE BIRD HEADBANGING OMG. Im dying. IS SO CUTE!
Your little bird is fricking adorable!
I saw Epica live for the first time 20 years ago or so, when they were playing in front of 200 people or so and still had the possibility to have a chat with fans after the show. They are just the sweetest people.
Simone was still very young back then and still a bit shy on stage, but all musicians obviously had so much fun doing what they did.
I saw them live again this January and was so glad that after all these years, they are still enjoying themselves on stage.
oh I recommended these 3 songs exactly and not so long ago, so cool to see your reaction to them so soon ❤
Anything from the Retrospect concert will do.
All songs are great. Even those with guests and yes a full Orchestra
Unleashed was the very first song I heard from Epica and it was love from the beginning! Saw them live two times now, they're just amazing! ❤
1,2,3.. 1,2,3..1,1,2,3 lol I love it... the Beatles had many of beats like that.. Thank you and you sweet bird for this great reaction!
very good reaction .... And hey .. I see them next Sunday :)
JEALOUS!! Have great time, I know the show will be lit!
When I listened to your comments on Cry for the moon, I thought, OMG you have no idea what is coming :)
If you want to discover them a bit more, check the Omega Live songs out. They have great performances associated to them and the songs are amazing.
Jami, you opened the ultimate door to European Symphonic Metal. Welcome.
My favorite band on this planet ⭐️
Doing multiple videos is nothing but a service to you as a music appreciatior ⭐️
Thanks for Epica 🌀🌀🌀🙏🙏🙏
Btw. "Cry For Te Moon" (2003) is a statement against organized religion. In specific this song deals about the sexual abuse of little children by catholic priests behind closed church doors.
It also states the hypocritic behavior of these priests (and the church in general) telling us what to do and not to do, accusing us of being sinful, while committing worse crimes themself.
Awesome to see you digging into some Epica! Epica also does some rock ballads, which may be interesting to delve into:
* "Tides of Time", almost like classical aria: ruclips.net/video/eALDD5XaQuw/видео.html
* "Rivers", here in a live a capella version: ruclips.net/video/7geGtgjyQlI/видео.html
* "Chasing the Dragon", from their 10th anniversary show called "retrospect": ruclips.net/video/WFXzKI215Us/видео.html
Happy listening!
Bro, for "Tides of Time" we have this great fan-made lyric video
which also shows our Goddess in action 🙂 ruclips.net/video/sn765tJuaoE/видео.html
Also mention that your "Chasing the Dragon" video has lyrics in it, but they need to be switched on. 🙂
I would add Once upon a Nightmare to that list.
This is the first song I discovered of Epica's a few years ago and I feel instantly in love with this band.
Epica is a great band. The one you started with is among one of my favorites for a personal reason. It's part of a 'project' called The Embrace that Smothers, a series of songs emphasising the dangers of organized religion and the suffering it has caused in the past. It's personal because that message hits close to home. Was raised a christian, left that all behind me and took me some time to step away from the anger I felt. The songs of The Embrace can still bring me to tears because they're beautiful and so on point. Loved your reactions. 🙂
So glad you dipped a toe in Epica répertoire. :-) Enjoy, Jami.
For taste of Simone's high notes, check out e.g. the "Rivers". Duets with Floor Jansen are epic too, e.g. "Sweet Curse", "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" etc. 🤘🙂👍
Oh brilliant. And your feathered friend was headbanging. Thanks & cheers from the Low Countries !
Love Epica! My favorite band since 2005. You made a right choice by picking the official live video for Consign to Oblivion, because it's an amazing live song! Also this band is incredible live!
You should also check out:
- Unchain Utopia (Omega Alive)
- Kingdom of Heaven part 3 (Omega Alive)
- Kingdom of heaven part 1 & 2 (part 1 has a fanmade live video and for part 2 you have to pick a lyric video)
- Design Your Universe (Retrospect live)
- Chasing the Dragon (Retrospect)
- The Essence of Silence (official live)
- Dancing in a Hurricane (official live)
- Beyond the Matrix (Official live)
- The Holographic Principle (Lyric video)
- Fools of Damnation (lyric video)
- The Final Lullaby (official video)
- Rivers (One shot official live video)
- Once Upon a Nightmare (I thought the Omega alive version is somewhere on youtube)
- Tides of Time (Lyric video)
Epica took their name from a Kamelot album, and Cry for the Moon was their first hit song. I believe Simone was still a teenager in that video, nearly 20 years ago. She's only gotten better with time, improving her voice. Mark Jansen did the harsh vocals on those songs. Not related to Floor Jansen, but they did used to date, and were both in a band called After Forever.
I did get to see Epica live, in 2016, in a very small local venue. They have a large enough catalog of songs that I don't think I heard any of those 3 at that concert.
A few precisions:
"Cry for the Moon" was the first song they released. So it is simply officially their first song. Both "Cry for the Moon" and "Consign to Oblivion" are among their most played songs in concerts. CTTM as their classic, and CTO as their heavy show closer. From the setlist fm stats:
Cry for the Moon (1107)
Consign to Oblivion (945)
Pretty sure Mark and Floor did not date. She was in a long term relationship with Sander Gommans, who along with Mark founded After Forever. Mark left After Forever when he Sander had different ideas on where they wanted the band to go musically and with Floor and Sander as a couple he knew he would loose out to them. Mark and Simone were a couple for the first few years of Epica but then split up but agreed to continue to work together because the band was more important then their romantic relationship.
It was Simone who was Mark's girlfriend at the time she joined Epica. Not Floor. 🙂
@@cancelled_user Yeah! In fact Floor and Mark called each other that they were brothers!
Tuomas of Nightwish gets called the Metal Mozart. But Epica seems like the kind of music Beethoven would have got into if he had the instruments. And the voices.
Nailed it!! Yes!
if you want best of both worlds there is after for ever . Floor and mark together .
@@cheezy2455 Simone and Mark would not be bested. In fact over the years as I hear ever more of Simone, the purity of her crystalline voice is just amazing
Metal Mozart? Really? 🤨
.... and, it only gets better from here.
Srsly
Welcome in.
There's a special perch on the wall, for your bird ... when you drop your jaw, they tend to climb in (don't ask me how I know).
I hope that portion of your audience which is from the 'pop side' follows Epica with you. hese incredible metal bands need more recognition and appreciation by the masses.
But you are here, and that is what is important.
.... If you want some off-the-beaten-track fun, Simone (the singer did a version of "This is Halloween" (Danny Elfman/Tim Burton's Nightmare before Christmas). Her Husband, Oliver Palotai (keyboard/arranger for Kamelot) adds in his instrumentation and voice as well. It's Very Darkly Cute.
Headbobs to your bird. (I speak parakeet, but not parrot)
More Epica plz....
birdy is headbanging to Epica ... how epic ... 😂
Second song, "Unleashed"... it's got kind of a "Sixth Sense" thing going on. You see it in the newspaper in the last shot. The man dies in the opening scene. What you see after that is his spirit, lingering in the world. The band represents "Angels of Death", sent to guide him to the next life, but he resists, runs away and is driven mad by it, but ultimately cannot escape... or something like that. That's what I take from it. In that context, the lyric really makes sense. They're calling him to let go of his life and move on.
"When I'm free
When my sun has set
Release my soul forever
I'll have no regret
To be free
I'll exist again
No more lost endeavors
Nothing to contend
When I'm free"
But the video, while very well produced, is secondary to the song. Don't get hung up on the visuals, that's just the cherry on top, so to speak.
This is a great rabbit hole Jami. Their videos are great but their live clips even more. Keep digging en enjoy your journey.
Well, welcome to the wonderful world of Epica! You'll not be disappointed haha. I have to say, it was quite delightful to see your reactions to your introduction to their music. I
'm sure some of the recommendations I'll give will have already been proposed to you, but here goes (also recommending finding live videos for these if possible): Rivers, Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 (Omega Alive, best livestream ever made, just so you know), The Essence of Silence (live 2014), The Miner, Sirens - Of Blood and Water, Once Upon a Nightmare, Tides of Time, Chasing the Dragon (Retrospect 10 year anniversary show), The Obsessive Devotion (Omega Alive, and it is important to note that no Smoon were hurt during the making of the show🤣), Code of Life, The Skeleton Key (Omega Alive).
I'd also recommend one of my all-time favourites: Fifth Guardian (and interlude) + Chemical Insomnia. No idea if there is a live version of this song out there aside from the launch concert, but even then, I highly recommend.
But honestly, just go for it, you'll not regret anything.
a woman that knows music ! no mater what the style is !!
14:15 I read somewhere that the band's take on this song is about a person dying and finding themselves in limbo, not able to break the earthly bonds that were so dear to them. So the protagonist just tries to carry on, not comprehending that he's gone and everyone is trying to move on through the pain. The band members act as unearthly messengers signalling that he is free to depart - to be "unleashed". The crisis of the dying mind is finally over and he is able to depart. EPICA are one of the deepest bands as far as conception of the stories they tell. Plus they put it all to astounding music. The best in art - the genre is no longer relevant.
P. S.: I would really love you to get acquainted with their 10th Anniversary show "Retrospect", which has probably been mentioned already by other viewers. "Design Your Universe" is my personal favorite just because it covers the whole gamut of moods EPICA is capable of taking us through!
Simone is a great singer.
And that's still an understatement. 🙃
EPICA YYYYYYEEEEEEEEAAAAAAA
You should go see them live if you get the opportunity. Metal heads are actually very respectful. That moshpit only exists within a defined circle. As long as you don't go into that circle, you won't get hurt. There are fans on the outer edges that push the crazy kids back into the center if they get too far away from the action. So it's a lot safer than it looks.
Really fun seeing your response! Try to always find live performances... so much better than their music videos. Unleashed from the Retrospect concert is so much better with a cull orchestra and choir. And Epica's lyrics are usually pretty dark. End of the world, drug addiction, not letting success go to your head, how war affects children in Syria, ugh... But they are really beautiful songs.
With Epica, the live versions are best for reactions. They put a lot of work (and money!) into putting on the best live shows they can. Plus then you don't get distracted by narratively confusing videos. For example, the best version of "Unleashed" is from the Masters of Rock festival, and in the same video they also perform another song called "Storm the Sorrow," which showcases their less heavy, radio-friendly side. Here's a link, so you can see what I mean:
ruclips.net/video/Xkth6veR9AU/видео.html
Great selection: a studio/live, a video and a live one!
Unleashed live version !!
Muriel adorou, dançou muito
Simone Simmons the singer is a close friend of Floor Jansen, they shared a room/apartment at the time they did study music Rock/Opera. So the know each other for a long time. Floor Jansen does 2 songs with Simone and Epica. But the way the guy (if I am correct his name is Mark Jansen, no family of Floor, just same last name) who did form Epica 2003, was a part of After For Ever, Floor Jansens first band 1995 to 2009, he did leave in 2002. Live songs of Floor with Simone and Epica: Santa Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa, both live from the: Live Retrospect Show, with full orchestra and choir on stage. Like your reactions 👍👍
I hate to say that you didn't even come close to the surface what Epica concerns. Welcome to the world of symphonic metal and Rabbit-whole called Epica. Enjoy the journey. 🤘😉
It's so interesting watching pop singers listening to real music.
Headbanging bird - gotta love that!
Simone is my fav female singer in the world then Floor from Nightwish
Yay! More Epica please!
Com esse sotaque perfeito nunca me passou pela cabeça que seria brasileira. Assisti o vídeo todo e só fui descobrir ao ler a descrição do canal. Adorei a reação e já estou inscrito.
She’s Simone Simmons, she is good friend with Floor Jansen, they studied together when they started singing
This was amazing! Thank you for taking us on this journey! Epica is everything I want from music! There are so many fabulous songs, but another astonishing live performance is Unchain Utopia from the Omega Livestream Show: ruclips.net/video/c8XdrOhEZl0/видео.html
epica is amazing, great choice, check out Design your universe live retrospect as well it will give you goosebumps..also you should have done unleashed live, it is 100x better
Recomendo ver/reagir a Sancta Terra ao vivo, com participação da Floor Jansen, atual vocalista do Nightwish.
That eyebrow raise of that blonde godess got me🤣🤣
gotta love symphonic metal
Ooh what an awesome, beautiful and magical rabbit hole you have opened. Keep going and enjoy, new subscriber here. Be well.❤
"abyss of time" is also great song ......check out amberian dawn and dark sarah (Symphonic metal from finland)😃
Simone start her singing by Epica with 17years now she is 39years and one of the best sopranos in Metall 🤘
Hi Jami, thanks for reacting to Epica. They are amazing! Simone Simons is just like Floor Jansen one of the best female singers from the Netherlands. I also have a suggestion for an awesome male singer. He is the lead guitarist of Sabaton and his name is Tommy Johansson. He is a multi instrumentalist and has a vocal range of F2-C6. Every friday he does a cover on his RUclips channel. Check out this song of Josh Groban - "You Raise Me Up" done by Tommy as a challenge (1 octave higher than the original). Here is the link to the video: ruclips.net/video/zoGJ7mxNq0M/видео.html
Greetings and lots of love from The Netherlands, Martin
that birb headbanging made my day
cry for the moon is great but I love "phantom agonie" from the same captation. a master piece !
Now that you have experienced Floor (Nightwish) and SImone (Epica) separately, you should check them out together in Sancta Terra...simply amazing. Here are a couple other incredible female vocalist you may enjoy. Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), Charlotte Wessels (formerly of Delain), Anneke van Giersbergen (Aryeon project and a duet with Sharon). Enjoy!!
🤟I love the head banging birb🤘
You really should react to Sancta Terra featuring Floor Jansen (also a Dutch singer, she's the singer in Nightwish)! It's such a beautiful song, with so much emotion and Simones and Floors voices are so beutiful together, I've got goosebumps just thinking about that song.
You should check out something from their Retrospect Live show, with a full orchestra and a choir, just MINDBLOWING good !!!
I've never seen the video for Unleashed before now. It looks like they're doing a kind of Sixth Sense thing, where he's dead but doesn't know it.
Going by the song lyrics, this is one of those metal songs where "I'm about to die, but death is good!" Consider the lyric "When my sun has set/release myself forever/I'll exist again." So it's like the character in the song is about to die, but thinks they'll be reincarnated or freed in the afterlife. It's kind of a trope you find in metal songs. I assume it must be written by Mark, because Simone is an atheist.
With Epica, usually the live versions are better. Check the video of this song at their anniversary concert Retrospect, where they play with a 40 piece choir and 60 piece orchestra!
P.S. Love your reactions! Hope Muriel can be in all of them going forward ❤
I missed the reaction to Epica - Design Your Universe, the most epic one
seen them live twice
Omg great job Mark's growling ...
🌹
Strange, I'm not a fan of high vocals but Simone is EPIC-a.
It's called head voice (used in opera) and it can definitely grow on you. Especially if you realise that anyone can sing with their chest voice (same as your normal speaking voice) but using a proper head voice requires classical training and it takes years to develop. Only a few ladies in metal are classically trained and to me it makes them more special.
Simone in these old videos still had a relatively immature soprano, but it's fine, this is metal, not opera. To me, this was the most beautiful voice I've ever heard and no one has surpassed it in my book. She has improved her technique over years, but I'll forever be in love with this young soprano. Very very unique sound, so warm and ethereal. Stunningly beautiful, just like Simone herself. 🙂
@@cancelled_user i have a crush on Simone and her voice as well. Good Lord how many emotions she gives me!! 🥰
That was the guy who shot the other guy at the beginning of the video. He's being haunted by epica for murdering the other guy.
Jami, we're waiting for some more Jinjer, please!
You must see Epica's Sensorium
Some of the biggest metal songs are quite long. HAve you treid keeper of the seven keys by helloween? Live pumpkins united great show and a genre defining song that has three decades on it now just timeless. And more than one singer because they reunited with their old one and went on together.
I think next for you : Epica - River , as a accapela- Version and as a live Version in a Concert in Chile ?
Should have done Unleashed from the live retrospect show. Much better than the nonsensical video clip.