⏩ Video Question: Have you seen Epica live???? I see they are coming to Seattle in September. Sweet For live content catch me on Twitch. www.twitch.tv/drumrolltony
I saw them last month in Saarbrücken (Germany). They are great live. The concert I attended was a rather small venue, which is great because you are so close to them playing. Also, whether small or large venue, they always give their best.
FYI, since you're now going to listen to Epica for the first time (and apparently you liked them), you might be interested in knowing that they did a cover of the first Attack on Titan opening called Crimson Bow and Arrow and it's pretty amazing, imo. ;)
Epica is Epic (well deserved name for the band). Singers name is Simone Simons ( long time friends with Floor Jansen). Harsh Vocals Mark Jansen, no relation to Floor Jansen, he is ex-After forever member (Floor's first band) WHEN Epica hit hard, they are heavier than Nightwish. But they also have some really beautiful, soft and tender ballads. And they often ”cover themselves” in completely different styles (jazz, Irish folk, klezmer…). Being familiar with a most of their stuff, they still keep me amazed by their talent and epicness, which is just keep growing for almost 20 years. It’s like too much to be from this world, especially when you realize they have about 10 masterpieces in this scale, ballads that will make you cry, countless top-notch badass songs, great covers, orchestral and acoustic versions, insightful lyrics and great stage presence.. enough talent for 20 bands combined. And.. they’re so down-to-earth and generous to their fans. Epica fan's are Epicans . NWSU/Ayreonaut/Epican 🤘😎🤘.
And then you left out the Kamelot connections. Epica was named after the record Epica from Kamelot. Simone is married to the keyboard player of Kamelot (was introduced later into the band) The female singers from Kamelot sang at Nightwish's 'Denver Debacle' . Kamelot, After Forever, Nightwish and Epica have met often during touring. Those bands really are intertwined musically and personally.
Yes it was the show closer. It is often used as the show closer, it's the title track of their 2nd album. The drummer is Arien Van Weesenbeek and he joined in 2007. For something from their current 8th album ,try The Skelton Key or Kingdom of Heaven Pt 3 (Omega Alive virtual show)
@@DrumRollTonyReacts Hello Tony. A hardcore Epican here! I think you should do their 2016 song "Universal Death Squad" which has quite unusual song structure and I think the way the song flows from one section to another is simply brilliant. It feels so good to listen to it :) Epica musical compositions are top-notch! Four out of six band members have degree in music (yes, even the drummer) and they all contribute to songwriting. That's one of the reasons why Epica music is so great and diverse. I hope you're going to react to much more! Epica is an amazing journey. You need to hear at least a dozen of their songs to get a good picture of what their music is about. 😉
Tony, try their album Retrospect with a symphony orchestra and a big choir; take a seat, a nice long drink and enjoy three hours music and also featuring Floor Jansen in two songs. And then we talk again. Nice weekend and greetings from Holland.
Sorry I missed the premiere. Epica has become my favorite band atm. As a musician, I knew you would find their music amazing. They use some of the concepts of prog metal along with their symphonic and Death metal sounds. The songwriting and scoring are outstanding. Epica is coming to the US for a tour in October. They will be touring with Sabaton, another incredible band. As for suggestions, definitely listen to Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 from the Omega Alive virtual show. MisterJ56 gave you a great list of follow-up pieces. Knowing your love for drumming, you need to listen to the Finnish band Wintersun. Their song Sons of Winter and Stars features some of the best drum work I have ever heard. The drummer, Kai Hahto is currently the drummer of Nightwish. As someone else mentioned, you should also listen to Ayreon, starting with the song The Day the World Breaks Down. It features many of the best musicians and singers from the metal world.
Great reaction Epica is an awesome band. You should check: - Crimson Bow and arrow (Attack on titan opening 1 cover) - Universal Death Squad (official video) - Essence of Silence (official live)
Hey man, great that you discovered Epica. They have a LOT to offer, and like Nightwish many of their best performances are live! in the more than 15 years of their existence they produced many many great songs. Here is short selection of some of my favorites (and some fun tidbits..): (BTW: all the recordings from the Retrospect are with an actual symphony orchestra from Hungary that they hired for this special occasion + large choir live on stage!) - Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 (Omega Alive, EPIC) - Unleashed (From the Retrospect live show) - Kingdom of Heaven Live in Mexico (uber EPIC!!!) - Rivers (official visualizer) Beautifull melody, written by Rob van der Loo, the bassist, distinctive style. - Essence of silence (official live) - Sancta Terra (duet with Simone and Floor Jansen as guest singer, also from the Retrospect show) - Stabat Matar dolorosa (classical duet with Simone and Floor Jansen, also live from the Retrospect) - Presto ("duel" between the lead guitarist of Epica Isaak de la Haye and the first violinist of the symphony orchestra, live from the Retrospect) - Universal Death Squad (great song, studio, lyrics version) - Universal Death Squad, drum playthrough by Ariel "The Beast" Weesenbeek - Beyond the matrix (live at the Zenith), great jumping song, with great solo by Isaac de la Haye
Great reaction Tony. I originally found Epica via Nightwish, and have seen them both live in Sydney a few years ago. A cut down show in a much smaller venue unfortunately, those pyrotechnics would have torched the place! If you can't get to the US shows (double bill with Sabaton, that really is epic), they are live streaming the 20th anniversary concert from Holland on 3rd September, should be a link on their website. The 10th Anniversary , Retrospect, which others have recommended, included a full choir and orchestra, and if they replicate this, combined with the special effects from their lockdown "Omega Alive" show last year, it will be utterly mind bending. My ticket is booked!
Hi Tony, I enjoyed very much your reaction and analysis, it´s clear you know what you talk about. I love EPICA (my favorite band at the moment) and you have so many things to check if you are interested. I understand they have backing vocals, backing strings and other instruments (pre-recorded but 95% real instruments recorded) they play in their concerts. But you also have their 10th anniversary concert called Retrospect when they included a full orchestra and choir in the stage, that´s a unique concert to check out. Some songs I recommend about that concert: - Chasing the Dragon (Retrospect Live) - Unleashed (Retrospect Live) - Design your Universe (Retrospect Live) But you also should check out their Omega Alive live stream concert they did in 2021: - Unchain Utopia (Omega Alive) - Skeleton Key (Omega Alive) - Kingdom of Heaven part 3 (Omega Alive) --> this one is a masterpiece To check some other songs, I recommend the below: - Kingdom of Heaven part 1 (Official Lyric video) - Universal Death Squad (Official Lyric video) - Abyss of Time (Official video) - Ascension - Dream State Armageddon (Official Lyric video) - Beyond the Matrix (live at the Zenith) You will definitely will have fun :D Cheers!
I really think that you should give it a try to Monopoly on Truth or Serenade of Self-Destruction from Retrospect Live. There's a full orchestra and choir with the band, and both songs are really impressive
It was worth the wait lol, not many reactors "get" Epica, it's a complex sound and pretty far from mainstream. Fun to see you have the ears to hear, subbed straight away. Let me give another proggy, math'y, riffy, drummy Epica suggestion, Kingdom of Heaven part 1: ua-cam.com/video/PF56D9mrlck/v-deo.html Fans usually name Kingdom of Heaven part 1, 2 or 3 as Epica's magnum opus, mostly based on taste as part 1 is heavier, part 2 more melodic, part 3 a blend of heavy and melody.
More reactors would “get” Epica if people started suggesting other songs they do which are way better than Consign to Oblivion. This song shouldn’t be the first song they hear. It’s nowhere near their best and the live version of it isn’t as good.
Ohhhh sooo great to see you react to Epica and I always imagined you would love this band! This special clip of Consign To Oblivion is great quality and atmosphere, and it's always great to see your instrument-wise reactions and listen to all the details you find out. For me - not a musician at all - it's indeed sometimes interesting to learn what makes it feel and sound so special - so I like your focus on music in your reactions. Epica is in some mechanics similar to Nightwish and as surely many will point out here, they even have some similar sources, alongside with Simone and Floor beeing good friends and old pals. Epica did a phenomenal aniversary Concert - the "Retrospect" show with a full Orchestre and a full male and femal choir on stage! Some may want to point you to "Sancta Terra" as Floor Jansen sings along with Simone and of course it's great. As this may have more focus on the singing I would even say it could be more interesting for you to dig into a Song that's mixes the orchestral performance and the bands instruments really great - like "Unleashed" or also "Design your Universe". Oh an "Chasing the Dragon" of course oO. Nah ... just listen to it all! xD There's much depth to this band - great composition, great musicians on every spot, great singing from Simone, aswell as Mark growls too, great shows ... so I'd say it's another perfect Rabithole to jump in :D Looking forward to see more from you, I really apreciate your work here :D
I'm so glad you took the suggestion and I've been waiting. But Iim so disappointed you chose this video as an introduction, and I gave you some great links, I wish you checked them out. Like spine tingling goosebumps performance. This is a great performance, but there are way better videos. Who would pick this one as an intro to the band... Meh. I have great taste 😁Please check them out? They are a better representation in my opinion. I've known these guys forever and it's their 20th Anniversary this year. Congrats and Happy 20, Epica! They've gotten me through a ton. I've been privileged to see them five times and they were the best nights of my life. You will NOT regret seeing their show. They are so much fun. But yea, this video is not at all representative of how epic they are. Not sure where this idea came from. But it's still one of my all time favorite songs. This is an old classic. They have come so far and evolved. It's just not my favorite video. The links I posted are some of their best. Hell, there are a ton of videos that I'd choose before this one. Similarities to other groups... A lot of groups emulate this group right here. They've been touring non stop for 20 years. This song was composed with three different members who are long gone. They now have a chemistry nothing short of magic and the writing reflects the mastery of newer members. Seriously, just explore them and their discography more. Cuz this wasn't their best as great as it is. The vocals, are stunning but she was behind a tad, sang it differently, and it changes the vibe. By the way, Floor Jansen of Nightwish is Simone's good dear friend and the reason she got chosen for Nightwish is because of the guest appearances, and collabs with Epica. They are heavenly together. Floor owes Epica a lot, in my opinion. Check out some Floor and Simone duets! The Holographic Principle, Solace System. Please check out the suggestions I gave. Design Your Universe album is a masterpiece. Quantum Enigma. They will blow you away. This song was written with a different drumner, bassist and lead guitarist. I love that they play these classics but the sound has evolved so much as they matured, and with this album they went through a terrible issue with bankrupt label and got picked up by Nuclear Blast--it changed the game. It allowed them to shine. Epica is the OG. The GOAT of symphonic metal for so many reasons. They are the masters of Beauty and the Beast vocals. Simone was a teen when they wrote this song. Her vocals are magnificent and they now compose with a full choir. I could go on. Please do more. As great as Nightwish is, and as great a composer as Tuomas is, Epica is a band full of composers (Coen composes and directs the choir pieces) and every member of the band is masterful on their instruments. They have videos on how they make the elements live. I will try to find it. They are not at all like Nightwish as newer generation fans claim them to be.I don't get that at all. I don't think they are even remotely like them stylistically. Epica is true symphonic metal.
Great review of one of Epica’s most dynamic songs. In my book- this is Epica’s Ghost Love Score- there have been other longer, more “epic” songs but this one is the sweet spot like GLS. Fyi- you have a great ear for different instruments!! Fyi- EPICA are touring in the US in the fall! I have seen them a couple times live and they are excellent- definitely seeing them again in October!
@@SunOfTheSun I would say that is a matter of taste...you can't argue with that. However I think I get what Ladislau is trying to say: this song is showcasing their capabilities, it is obviously epic and accessible for an audience outside their 'niche'. That is why it gets picked up by reactors. Other songs you find their best: they might require a bit more "getting used" to the band...
@@vogel2280 na but this song isn’t great and especially live. The growls in this live version are horrible. Just a bad example. Epica have so many songs that are 10x better. Their catalogue is huge. I’ve been a fan since the beginning. And heard every song. My opinion is this song is one of their weakest
@@SunOfTheSun Wut? The growls here are great. In the retrospect version Simone's vocals are better but growls as not as good as here. The whole second half of the song is mindblowing. I got slightly tired of it because everyone is reacting to it, just like Kingdom of Heaven pt 1 and pt 3. I would still like to see more reactions to KoH part 2 and The Holographic Principle :)
You need to listen "the essence of silence" because it has a really complicated drums partition, and of course the fact that the music of this song belongs to Arien (the drummer of the band) makes it so interesting. Give that song a shot man. (Live version)
This song is kickass and Epica are amazing. Great reaction. Fellow drummer and I'm here alot and suggested before but I'll just keep saying it....Meshuggah..."Clockworks" Thomas Hakke drum playthrough. You NEED to see this way more than "Bleed". I'll be waiting:)....
Just saw them with Sabaton last month. I've seen them several times and they are always so much fun! They enjoy working together and it shows. Plus I love how Coen cannot stay still hahaha 🤘
ABOUT FINDING MUSIC: I hope you can find the time to react to this TOP LINEUP OF MANY MUSICAL INTRUMENTS/SINGERS: The Source is the 9th studio album from *AYREON* , a progressive metal/rock opera project by Dutch musician Arjen (Ahr-Yun) Anthony Lucassen, released on April 28, 2017. *_”The Day That The World Breaks Down”_* is a song that features all 11 (quite well known) main guest singers (you’ll be surprised) and is taken from that album. Arjen himself is telling (in subtitles) who the singers are and which instruments are used and by which standards. Btw. This creative original clip is 13 min. long and I think you won’t regret it !! Official (Arjen’s) clip: ua-cam.com/video/oFuMKdrzPqU/v-deo.html
Love some good Epica - especially Victims of Contingency. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see Ne Obliviscaris on the channel. Have you heard/listened to them? I'd love to hear what you think, as I don't think I've heard someone react to their music from this kind of perspective.
You really need to hear some Ne Obliviscaris! And Plague Flowers the Kaleidoscope would be a great intro. The music is one of a kind, but the drummer will impress the fuck out of you!
+1 on sitting in the back. My husband and I went with some friends to a Slayer/Anthrax concert like 12 years ago in Orlando and we sat at the tables by the bar. No pit for us even then- you couldn't pay me enough now, lol. 🥴 I'd love to go to their concert in Seattle, but we likely won't be able to manage it logistically because that's right after when school starts here in BC.
If you'tr up to it: Omega Alive (virtual) 2021 concert *_”The Skeleton Key”_* : ua-cam.com/video/zIZkvhiOUU8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA Live in the Zenith (Paris, France - *_"Beyond the Matrix"_* : ua-cam.com/video/ix_PpfputKY/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA Omega Alive (virtual) 2021 concert *_”Kingdom of Heaven, part 3”_* : ua-cam.com/video/BdBCVMD8TiM/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA Omega Alive (virtual) 2021 concert *_"Victim Of Contingency"_* : ua-cam.com/video/aT1JsH2_97c/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA Live (Retrospect show) - *_"Stabat Mater Dolorosa"_* : ua-cam.com/video/nhtOORYTGx8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=_gothmetal_ (duet with Floor) Live (Retrospect show) - *_"Chasing the Dragon"_* : ua-cam.com/video/Dx-FsHAQHp8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=FelipeLib%C3%A2nio Live (Retrospect show) - *_"Unleashed"_* : ua-cam.com/video/rxd6sxLxdys/v-deo.html *_”Cry For The Moon”_* : ua-cam.com/video/DJkW_P3bdCs/v-deo.html&ab_channel=V%C3%ADctorCastro *_”Unchain Utopia”_* : ua-cam.com/video/c8XdrOhEZl0/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA NOTE: The Retrospect show is Epica's celebration of their tenth anniversary in March 2013. Epica performed on stage with the 70-piece Extended Hungarian Remenyi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Choir of Miskolc National Theatre.
I second this. 🙂 The one song I miss there is "Universal Death Squad". It's really a masterpiece and it has pretty unusual song structure. Definitely something I like to show people when introducing them to Epica. Btw, interesting how you can post multuple songs and even links. When I do that, youtube deletes my post. 🤔
Epica is top tier Symphonic Metal just like NW, but with less variety on the vocals and heavier in the instruments, IMO. Maybe check out Sancta Terra with Floor on guest vocals next, but definitely check the following tracks from the Omega Alive show: Skeleton Key, Unchain Utopia and Kingdom of Heaven Part 3... Best wishes from Namibia Best
@@myracrystalhalilion9790 IMO means IMO... I still love Epica's music, that's why I recommended at least 3 more of my favorite songs by them... I respect you differing from my opinion, but please join me in the fight against toxicity and unnecessarily emotional comments to fellow Epicans' comments. Best wishes from Namibia 🇳🇦
@Bles Deth @Myra Crystal Halilion IMO means IMO... I still love Epica's music, that's why I recommended at least 3 more of my favorite songs by them... I respect you differing from my opinion, but please join me in the fight against toxicity and unnecessarily emotional comments to fellow Epicans' comments. Best wishes from Namibia 🇳🇦
I've seen Epica live four times so far. They have awesome energy and chemistry on stage. They're one of my favorite bands to see live. Unfortunately, NYC and Philly don't allow much pyrotechnics use indoors.
Great that ou have found Epica aswell. For such an analytic music lover I suggest two other very complex, technical and progressive bands to check: 1) Ayreon - The Day that the World breaks down. Ayreon is a project of musical genius Arjen Lucasen, and features dozens of the best metal musicians of the World, especially vocalists who kind of play the roles of the people in the Ayreon sci-fi universe. The Day that the World breaks down has a nice music video where Arjen explains the story and some bts about creating the album. You will find some familiar faces on that track😉 2) Wintersun - Sons of Winter and Stars. Wintersun is another Finnish symphonic-melodic-progressive-death-black-folk-what-ever metal band, and two of its members are currently allso playing in Nightwish, drummer Kai Hahto and bassist Jukka Koskinen. The musical master mind of Wintersun is Jari Mäenpää, perfectionist and a genius aswell. If Tuomas Holopainen is the metal-Mozart, Jari is the metal-Vivaldi. Sons of Winter and Stars is a rollercoaster ride of about 15 minutes that showcases the talents of the band pretty well. The official video is their live REHEARSAL at Sonic Pump Studios. You get to see the human metronome Kai in his element - which is rather rare while playing Nightwish because their drums are quite stright forward compared to Wintersun. Anyway, enjoy and keep those reactions coming!💪🏼
Duuude, if you love mixed meter stuff, LEPROUS! Songs with music videos that would be good from their newest albums would be: Nighttime Disguise ( which was written on stream with viewers as an experiment ) or The Silent Revelation.
I was at this show! Screaming in one of the front rows and fire was indeed very hot 😆 You should check The Holographic Principle from Epica, I don't think there's a proper live recording of that particular piece though 😔
My suggestion to you, my friend: Take in their Kingdom of Heaven Part 3. It is a feast of showmanship, musicality, visuals and vocals. I think it's their best performance.
Epica brings it harder and heavier than NW, and that really does it for me big time. TIGHT band and Simone is a siren of the earth. Seeing them and the amazing Sabaton in Cincinnati in October 😎 Great reaction! New here to your channel, just subbed! 🤘🏼
Epica is fantastic! I would recommend the following: Unleashed, The Essence of Silence, Once Upon a Nightmare, Serenade for Self-Destruction, Storm the Sorrow, and Unchain Utopia to get started 😬. I also recommend checking out Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation if you haven’t listened to them yet. Both bands are amazing.
Epica Is Epic!!. You can react to A retrospective, songs like Unleashed, Design your Universe, are a jewels. Another great bands from symphonic metal are Therion, father's from genre, Haggard and Xandria. You'll like them.
I always say it: Floor is a Valkyrie, Simone is an Angel, together, are pure fire, if you want to hear them sing together, Sancta Terra is the next suggestion
Epica is a Metall Band from the Netherlands Simone and floor are best frends Simone is Floors lidel Sister in Metall Simone start her singing by Epica with 17years now she is 39years and one of the best sopranos in Metall 🤘 🤘 🤘
Hi Tony. Greetings from Greece. I believe you should start from their beginning, The Phantom Agony (album and song, the song is in the top three songs of metal, for my opinion certainly, independently genres, of the century, involving grom death growls to operatic vibratos, and choir, from heavy guitars to violins and cellos. See the studio live version-not the recent one-where Simone is 17yrs old, just a little girl). And of course their ballads: Feint, Tides of time, Solitary ground, Canvas of life, Rivers (a new one). They are less polythematic than Nightwish, intending mainly to self- recognition themes. But literatully are awesome poets with some of their verse to be absolutely ashtonising, eg. "Frail is our beauty in the end", "The stains come alive when the paint has gone dry" etc. Your reaction was pro, indeed!
If you mean the 2004 live TV studio session "We Will Take You With Us", Simone was 19, not 17. But yeah, still just a girl, super cute and with stunning unique soprano, pretty different from her current voice. Epica is simply something else. I was a Nightwish fan first, bud damn, when I started listening to whole Epica albums, it blew my mind. Probably the only band I can listen every single album, song by song. I've never heard such a phenomenal band before. Certainly not in the symphonic metal subgenre. Also listening to Simone's divine soprano is pure joy. When I started listening to their whole albums, Simone surpassed both Tarja and Floor for me. She's now my number 1 female singer of all time.
I already suggested it in your Attack on Titan video , but i'll post the link here..Epica's cover of Attack on Titans "Crimson bow and arrow" ua-cam.com/video/bX3dwi_yuSA/v-deo.html (sadly not live) ,her's a link from a live performance but audio is not great ua-cam.com/video/IHRDjjF_A54/v-deo.html
If you are into drums, you should check the drum playthroughs that Epica posted on their official UA-cam channel of songs: Universal Death Squad, Essence of Silence and Abyss of Time
@@DrumRollTonyReacts It was worth it lol, not many reactors "get" Epica, it's a complex sound and pretty far from mainstream. Fun to see you have the ears to hear, subbed straight away. Let me give another proggy, math'y, riffy, drummy Epica suggestion, Kingdom of Heaven part 1: ua-cam.com/video/PF56D9mrlck/v-deo.html Fans usually name Kingdom of Heaven part 1, 2 or 3 as Epica's magnum opus, mostly based on taste as part 1 is heavier, part 2 more melodic, part 3 a blend of heavy and melody.
dude i love how deeply you inspect all of the instruments. i HIGHLY recommend you react to the hunter x hunter outros and the singular opening as they are incredible and are different from each other kinda similarly to jojos
Greetings and Love from Köln/Cologne, Germany. Great reaction as always. Wow, Seattle...one place i have to visit before i cross the rainbow bridge to open the Gates of Valhalla. I want to show my respect to Bruce Lee and his boy Brandon, and saying 'Thank You, Bruce..' Have a p ..oh, wait...one question, please.. 'In Seattle, does it really rain 9 months of a year.? I think 'Sam'(Tom Hanks) said so..in the movie 'Sleepless in..', right.. However, have a peaceful weekend, my friend ☺
@@DrumRollTonyReacts wuff, thanx for your quick Feedback, buddy...well, i love the rain..actually every kind of weather..we should be thankful that we have weather, instead to complain "awe, it's too hot' or 'damn, .ucking too cold'...
One of the harshest songs first 😊. The diversity of Epica is phenomenal and Simone was made for ballads. You will find out. Epica is the best Symphonic Metal Band next to Nightwish. And by the way Floor was the vocalist of After Forever. 😊
Hey, I recently discovered your channel and am really enjoying the content! Since you seem to be really into the production side of music, I have a song suggestions for you. Sabaton - The Lost Battalion. If you are not familiar with Sabaton, they are a history focussed power metal band from Sweden and for this specific song they have replaced the drums with different gun sounds, which creates a really unique sound.
Hi there Man. Epica is awesome next to Nightwish ;) You talk about the drummer so here`s the deal. As i recommended a couple a months ago, react to Wintersun "Sons of winter and stars" and "Time" from Live rehearsals at Sonic pump studios and you will get your hotdogs warm :) There is Kai on drums who also is Nigtwish drummer since 2014. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Sweden
Epica incorperates orchestra and choir in almost every song. Often the choir is almost a character in a song. On their lates two albums they used only real instruments, not even 1 sample, on the last album they even used the Philharmonic Orcherstra Prague. So real choirs and orchestra on the albums. They use a backtrack for the orchestration/ choir when on tour. Sofar Epica has used 2 times a huge orchestra and choir live on stage. That's not possible on a world tour as this would be logistic and financial nightmare.
man i think you would appreciate the band Wintersun and their song Sons of Winter and Stars it has alot of the things u liked about this, but like, 10x
Bravo! Now that you have had your first taste of Epica, another thing worth checking out is their collaborations with Floor Jansen (yes, the Nightwish singer). Start with this one: "Sancta Terra" ua-cam.com/video/cx22Yuj2nzg/v-deo.html with a full live orchestra and choir. Nuts.
Hey Tony, sorry to do this on a random video, but can you review: Sleep Token - ‘Alkaline’. An offering from II which just dropped. The drumming is intense! Cheers
Hey, Tony! I think you should react to xtrullor, a very underrated music producer and one of my favourite ones. For starters, I would say listen to supernova or ichor, love your reactions btw!
Hi, Tony. If you're interested in unusual and unique music, I suggest checking out DOOM Eternal's OST. Especially - Super Gore Nest. It's super heavy btw.
I wish people start suggesting other Epica songs. This song is nowhere near their best and definitely shouldn’t be the first song people hear. Omg it is so tiring! Please react to Epica - Kingdom of Heaven part 1, 2 or 3 !! Or Epica - The Holographic Principle.
@@DrumRollTonyReacts I meant people suggesting this song is tiring when they could be showing people like you songs from Epica that are 10x better! Imagine that ;)
@@DrumRollTonyReacts But seriously man. Do it! Epica is worth it. This is not "just another sympho metal band". This is the peak of the genre. If you can appreciate great music, you will love Epica.
⏩ Video Question: Have you seen Epica live????
I see they are coming to Seattle in September. Sweet
For live content catch me on Twitch. www.twitch.tv/drumrolltony
Best live band IMO.
I saw them last month in Saarbrücken (Germany). They are great live. The concert I attended was a rather small venue, which is great because you are so close to them playing. Also, whether small or large venue, they always give their best.
I saw them in Lisbon, Portugal this month! It was on a festival, but still a great show.
Pls react GUNDAM 00 1-4 OPENING and analysis it
Go watch them 🔥 They are so good 🔥
FYI, since you're now going to listen to Epica for the first time (and apparently you liked them), you might be interested in knowing that they did a cover of the first Attack on Titan opening called Crimson Bow and Arrow and it's pretty amazing, imo. ;)
second that, damn energetic song
They did a full AOT album
@@Plutus612 EP, sadly no good quality live videos
Epica is Epic (well deserved name for the band).
Singers name is Simone Simons ( long time friends with Floor Jansen).
Harsh Vocals Mark Jansen, no relation to Floor Jansen, he is ex-After forever member (Floor's first band)
WHEN Epica hit hard, they are heavier than Nightwish. But they also have some really beautiful, soft and tender ballads. And they often ”cover themselves” in completely different styles (jazz, Irish folk, klezmer…).
Being familiar with a most of their stuff, they still keep me amazed by their talent and epicness, which is just keep growing for almost 20 years. It’s like too much to be from this world, especially when you realize they have about 10 masterpieces in this scale, ballads that will make you cry, countless top-notch badass songs, great covers, orchestral and acoustic versions, insightful lyrics and great stage presence.. enough talent for 20 bands combined. And.. they’re so down-to-earth and generous to their fans.
Epica fan's are Epicans .
NWSU/Ayreonaut/Epican 🤘😎🤘.
And then you left out the Kamelot connections. Epica was named after the record Epica from Kamelot. Simone is married to the keyboard player of Kamelot (was introduced later into the band) The female singers from Kamelot sang at Nightwish's 'Denver Debacle' . Kamelot, After Forever, Nightwish and Epica have met often during touring. Those bands really are intertwined musically and personally.
Yes it was the show closer. It is often used as the show closer, it's the title track of their 2nd album.
The drummer is Arien Van Weesenbeek and he joined in 2007.
For something from their current 8th album ,try The Skelton Key or Kingdom of Heaven Pt 3 (Omega Alive virtual show)
Sweet. That's good info
@@DrumRollTonyReacts Hello Tony. A hardcore Epican here!
I think you should do their 2016 song "Universal Death Squad" which has quite unusual song structure and I think the way the song flows from one section to another is simply brilliant. It feels so good to listen to it :)
Epica musical compositions are top-notch! Four out of six band members have degree in music (yes, even the drummer) and they all contribute to songwriting. That's one of the reasons why Epica music is so great and diverse. I hope you're going to react to much more! Epica is an amazing journey. You need to hear at least a dozen of their songs to get a good picture of what their music is about. 😉
Tony, try their album Retrospect with a symphony orchestra and a big choir; take a seat, a nice long drink and enjoy three hours music and also featuring Floor Jansen in two songs. And then we talk again. Nice weekend and greetings from Holland.
I concur
Epica is my favorite symphonic metal band - this is one of my most favorite live performances by them
Essence of Silence is a killer track from Epica. Check the official live video!
Sorry I missed the premiere. Epica has become my favorite band atm. As a musician, I knew you would find their music amazing. They use some of the concepts of prog metal along with their symphonic and Death metal sounds. The songwriting and scoring are outstanding.
Epica is coming to the US for a tour in October. They will be touring with Sabaton, another incredible band.
As for suggestions, definitely listen to Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 from the Omega Alive virtual show. MisterJ56 gave you a great list of follow-up pieces.
Knowing your love for drumming, you need to listen to the Finnish band Wintersun. Their song Sons of Winter and Stars features some of the best drum work I have ever heard. The drummer, Kai Hahto is currently the drummer of Nightwish.
As someone else mentioned, you should also listen to Ayreon, starting with the song The Day the World Breaks Down. It features many of the best musicians and singers from the metal world.
Great reaction Epica is an awesome band. You should check:
- Crimson Bow and arrow (Attack on titan opening 1 cover)
- Universal Death Squad (official video)
- Essence of Silence (official live)
Hey man, great that you discovered Epica. They have a LOT to offer, and like Nightwish many of their best performances are live! in the more than 15 years of their existence they produced many many great songs. Here is short selection of some of my favorites (and some fun tidbits..):
(BTW: all the recordings from the Retrospect are with an actual symphony orchestra from Hungary that they hired for this special occasion + large choir live on stage!)
- Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 (Omega Alive, EPIC)
- Unleashed (From the Retrospect live show)
- Kingdom of Heaven Live in Mexico (uber EPIC!!!)
- Rivers (official visualizer) Beautifull melody, written by Rob van der Loo, the bassist, distinctive style.
- Essence of silence (official live)
- Sancta Terra (duet with Simone and Floor Jansen as guest singer, also from the Retrospect show)
- Stabat Matar dolorosa (classical duet with Simone and Floor Jansen, also live from the Retrospect)
- Presto ("duel" between the lead guitarist of Epica Isaak de la Haye and the first violinist of the symphony orchestra, live from the Retrospect)
- Universal Death Squad (great song, studio, lyrics version)
- Universal Death Squad, drum playthrough by Ariel "The Beast" Weesenbeek
- Beyond the matrix (live at the Zenith), great jumping song, with great solo by Isaac de la Haye
Great reaction Tony. I originally found Epica via Nightwish, and have seen them both live in Sydney a few years ago. A cut down show in a much smaller venue unfortunately, those pyrotechnics would have torched the place!
If you can't get to the US shows (double bill with Sabaton, that really is epic), they are live streaming the 20th anniversary concert from Holland on 3rd September, should be a link on their website. The 10th Anniversary , Retrospect, which others have recommended, included a full choir and orchestra, and if they replicate this, combined with the special effects from their lockdown "Omega Alive" show last year, it will be utterly mind bending. My ticket is booked!
Hi Tony,
I enjoyed very much your reaction and analysis, it´s clear you know what you talk about. I love EPICA (my favorite band at the moment) and you have so many things to check if you are interested.
I understand they have backing vocals, backing strings and other instruments (pre-recorded but 95% real instruments recorded) they play in their concerts. But you also have their 10th anniversary concert called Retrospect when they included a full orchestra and choir in the stage, that´s a unique concert to check out. Some songs I recommend about that concert:
- Chasing the Dragon (Retrospect Live)
- Unleashed (Retrospect Live)
- Design your Universe (Retrospect Live)
But you also should check out their Omega Alive live stream concert they did in 2021:
- Unchain Utopia (Omega Alive)
- Skeleton Key (Omega Alive)
- Kingdom of Heaven part 3 (Omega Alive) --> this one is a masterpiece
To check some other songs, I recommend the below:
- Kingdom of Heaven part 1 (Official Lyric video)
- Universal Death Squad (Official Lyric video)
- Abyss of Time (Official video)
- Ascension - Dream State Armageddon (Official Lyric video)
- Beyond the Matrix (live at the Zenith)
You will definitely will have fun :D
Cheers!
Yeah man, I love Epica and their drummer is a beast! Looking forward to more reactions to this diverse band.
I really think that you should give it a try to Monopoly on Truth or Serenade of Self-Destruction from Retrospect Live. There's a full orchestra and choir with the band, and both songs are really impressive
It was worth the wait lol, not many reactors "get" Epica, it's a complex sound and pretty far from mainstream. Fun to see you have the ears to hear, subbed straight away. Let me give another proggy, math'y, riffy, drummy Epica suggestion, Kingdom of Heaven part 1: ua-cam.com/video/PF56D9mrlck/v-deo.html
Fans usually name Kingdom of Heaven part 1, 2 or 3 as Epica's magnum opus, mostly based on taste as part 1 is heavier, part 2 more melodic, part 3 a blend of heavy and melody.
More reactors would “get” Epica if people started suggesting other songs they do which are way better than Consign to Oblivion. This song shouldn’t be the first song they hear. It’s nowhere near their best and the live version of it isn’t as good.
Such a brilliant song ! Try "Unleashed" (official live version, they play with an orchestra and live choir)
Cheers from tha Low Countries.
Ohhhh sooo great to see you react to Epica and I always imagined you would love this band! This special clip of Consign To Oblivion is great quality and atmosphere, and it's always great to see your instrument-wise reactions and listen to all the details you find out. For me - not a musician at all - it's indeed sometimes interesting to learn what makes it feel and sound so special - so I like your focus on music in your reactions.
Epica is in some mechanics similar to Nightwish and as surely many will point out here, they even have some similar sources, alongside with Simone and Floor beeing good friends and old pals. Epica did a phenomenal aniversary Concert - the "Retrospect" show with a full Orchestre and a full male and femal choir on stage! Some may want to point you to "Sancta Terra" as Floor Jansen sings along with Simone and of course it's great. As this may have more focus on the singing I would even say it could be more interesting for you to dig into a Song that's mixes the orchestral performance and the bands instruments really great - like "Unleashed" or also "Design your Universe". Oh an "Chasing the Dragon" of course oO. Nah ... just listen to it all! xD
There's much depth to this band - great composition, great musicians on every spot, great singing from Simone, aswell as Mark growls too, great shows ... so I'd say it's another perfect Rabithole to jump in :D Looking forward to see more from you, I really apreciate your work here :D
Thank you for the reaction, all the details are very juicy to know.
Epica is epic! For more Dutch music legends try Ayreon..totally different genre, but so good! I suggest “the day that the world breaks down”
Yeah! Epica! 🔥 I'm glad that everyone recommend you this song 🙌🏻
If you want another 'calorie burner' from a great drummer (Kai Hanto, now with Nightwish) I suggest Wintersun - Sons Of Winter And Stars.
I'm so glad you took the suggestion and I've been waiting. But Iim so disappointed you chose this video as an introduction, and I gave you some great links, I wish you checked them out. Like spine tingling goosebumps performance. This is a great performance, but there are way better videos. Who would pick this one as an intro to the band... Meh.
I have great taste 😁Please check them out? They are a better representation in my opinion. I've known these guys forever and it's their 20th Anniversary this year. Congrats and Happy 20, Epica! They've gotten me through a ton. I've been privileged to see them five times and they were the best nights of my life.
You will NOT regret seeing their show. They are so much fun.
But yea, this video is not at all representative of how epic they are. Not sure where this idea came from. But it's still one of my all time favorite songs. This is an old classic. They have come so far and evolved. It's just not my favorite video. The links I posted are some of their best. Hell, there are a ton of videos that I'd choose before this one.
Similarities to other groups... A lot of groups emulate this group right here. They've been touring non stop for 20 years. This song was composed with three different members who are long gone. They now have a chemistry nothing short of magic and the writing reflects the mastery of newer members. Seriously, just explore them and their discography more. Cuz this wasn't their best as great as it is.
The vocals, are stunning but she was behind a tad, sang it differently, and it changes the vibe.
By the way, Floor Jansen of Nightwish is Simone's good dear friend and the reason she got chosen for Nightwish is because of the guest appearances, and collabs with Epica. They are heavenly together. Floor owes Epica a lot, in my opinion. Check out some Floor and Simone duets!
The Holographic Principle, Solace System.
Please check out the suggestions I gave.
Design Your Universe album is a masterpiece. Quantum Enigma. They will blow you away. This song was written with a different drumner, bassist and lead guitarist. I love that they play these classics but the sound has evolved so much as they matured, and with this album they went through a terrible issue with bankrupt label and got picked up by Nuclear Blast--it changed the game. It allowed them to shine.
Epica is the OG. The GOAT of symphonic metal for so many reasons. They are the masters of Beauty and the Beast vocals. Simone was a teen when they wrote this song. Her vocals are magnificent and they now compose with a full choir. I could go on. Please do more. As great as Nightwish is, and as great a composer as Tuomas is, Epica is a band full of composers (Coen composes and directs the choir pieces) and every member of the band is masterful on their instruments.
They have videos on how they make the elements live. I will try to find it.
They are not at all like Nightwish as newer generation fans claim them to be.I don't get that at all. I don't think they are even remotely like them stylistically. Epica is true symphonic metal.
Great review of one of Epica’s most dynamic songs. In my book- this is Epica’s Ghost Love Score- there have been other longer, more “epic” songs but this one is the sweet spot like GLS. Fyi- you have a great ear for different instruments!!
Fyi- EPICA are touring in the US in the fall! I have seen them a couple times live and they are excellent- definitely seeing them again in October!
No way. This isn’t their best song. I hate it when people react to this song when their catalogue has so many greater songs. Just imo.
@@SunOfTheSun I would say that is a matter of taste...you can't argue with that. However I think I get what Ladislau is trying to say: this song is showcasing their capabilities, it is obviously epic and accessible for an audience outside their 'niche'. That is why it gets picked up by reactors. Other songs you find their best: they might require a bit more "getting used" to the band...
@@vogel2280 na but this song isn’t great and especially live. The growls in this live version are horrible. Just a bad example. Epica have so many songs that are 10x better. Their catalogue is huge. I’ve been a fan since the beginning. And heard every song. My opinion is this song is one of their weakest
@@SunOfTheSun Wut? The growls here are great. In the retrospect version Simone's vocals are better but growls as not as good as here. The whole second half of the song is mindblowing. I got slightly tired of it because everyone is reacting to it, just like Kingdom of Heaven pt 1 and pt 3. I would still like to see more reactions to KoH part 2 and The Holographic Principle :)
You need to listen "the essence of silence" because it has a really complicated drums partition, and of course the fact that the music of this song belongs to Arien (the drummer of the band) makes it so interesting. Give that song a shot man. (Live version)
This song is kickass and Epica are amazing. Great reaction. Fellow drummer and I'm here alot and suggested before but I'll just keep saying it....Meshuggah..."Clockworks" Thomas Hakke drum playthrough. You NEED to see this way more than "Bleed". I'll be waiting:)....
Thank you for the reminder! I'll get that one soon
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN pt1 🌀🌀🌀🧘🧘🧘🔥🔥🔥
I saw Epica years ago here in Vegas at Vinyl @ Hard Rock on a sunday night. There was perhaps 40 of us! They still gave their all
Epic
Brilliant analized Master Tony 🔥👍💜🐺🎸🥁🎶🎤🎹🔊🙏🏼 greatings from Holland 🇳🇱
I think this is the best Epica reaction so far, so ellaborate. Cool🤘
Just saw them with Sabaton last month. I've seen them several times and they are always so much fun! They enjoy working together and it shows. Plus I love how Coen cannot stay still hahaha 🤘
ABOUT FINDING MUSIC:
I hope you can find the time to react to this TOP LINEUP OF MANY MUSICAL INTRUMENTS/SINGERS: The Source is the 9th studio album from *AYREON* , a progressive metal/rock opera project by Dutch musician Arjen (Ahr-Yun) Anthony Lucassen, released on April 28, 2017. *_”The Day That The World Breaks Down”_* is a song that features all 11 (quite well known) main guest singers (you’ll be surprised) and is taken from that album. Arjen himself is telling (in subtitles) who the singers are and which instruments are used and by which standards.
Btw. This creative original clip is 13 min. long and I think you won’t regret it !!
Official (Arjen’s) clip: ua-cam.com/video/oFuMKdrzPqU/v-deo.html
"Essence of silence" Live from Brussels next :)
Yes! 🙃
I briefly thought you had one of the world's strangest ponytails but it's just your mic shadow :) always glad to see more eyes on Epica!
Haha that's funny
Love some good Epica - especially Victims of Contingency.
Unless I'm missing something, I don't see Ne Obliviscaris on the channel. Have you heard/listened to them? I'd love to hear what you think, as I don't think I've heard someone react to their music from this kind of perspective.
You really need to hear some Ne Obliviscaris! And Plague Flowers the Kaleidoscope would be a great intro. The music is one of a kind, but the drummer will impress the fuck out of you!
Yeah! NeO please.
You may also like Epica live with orchestra and choir, and guest vocalist Floor Jansen, Sancta Terra, at their 10 year jubilee.
Oh sweet. That sounds awesome
+1 on sitting in the back. My husband and I went with some friends to a Slayer/Anthrax concert like 12 years ago in Orlando and we sat at the tables by the bar. No pit for us even then- you couldn't pay me enough now, lol. 🥴 I'd love to go to their concert in Seattle, but we likely won't be able to manage it logistically because that's right after when school starts here in BC.
If you'tr up to it:
Omega Alive (virtual) 2021 concert *_”The Skeleton Key”_* : ua-cam.com/video/zIZkvhiOUU8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA
Live in the Zenith (Paris, France - *_"Beyond the Matrix"_* : ua-cam.com/video/ix_PpfputKY/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA
Omega Alive (virtual) 2021 concert *_”Kingdom of Heaven, part 3”_* : ua-cam.com/video/BdBCVMD8TiM/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA
Omega Alive (virtual) 2021 concert *_"Victim Of Contingency"_* : ua-cam.com/video/aT1JsH2_97c/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA
Live (Retrospect show) - *_"Stabat Mater Dolorosa"_* : ua-cam.com/video/nhtOORYTGx8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=_gothmetal_ (duet with Floor)
Live (Retrospect show) - *_"Chasing the Dragon"_* : ua-cam.com/video/Dx-FsHAQHp8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=FelipeLib%C3%A2nio
Live (Retrospect show) - *_"Unleashed"_* : ua-cam.com/video/rxd6sxLxdys/v-deo.html
*_”Cry For The Moon”_* : ua-cam.com/video/DJkW_P3bdCs/v-deo.html&ab_channel=V%C3%ADctorCastro
*_”Unchain Utopia”_* : ua-cam.com/video/c8XdrOhEZl0/v-deo.html&ab_channel=EPICA
NOTE: The Retrospect show is Epica's celebration of their tenth anniversary in March 2013. Epica performed on stage with the 70-piece Extended Hungarian Remenyi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Choir of Miskolc National Theatre.
I second this. 🙂
The one song I miss there is "Universal Death Squad". It's really a masterpiece and it has pretty unusual song structure. Definitely something I like to show people when introducing them to Epica.
Btw, interesting how you can post multuple songs and even links. When I do that, youtube deletes my post. 🤔
Epica is top tier Symphonic Metal just like NW, but with less variety on the vocals and heavier in the instruments, IMO. Maybe check out Sancta Terra with Floor on guest vocals next, but definitely check the following tracks from the Omega Alive show: Skeleton Key, Unchain Utopia and Kingdom of Heaven Part 3...
Best wishes from Namibia
Best
Epica is the only top tier symphonic metal band!
Epica had less varieties. Do you hear yourself?
@@myracrystalhalilion9790 IMO means IMO... I still love Epica's music, that's why I recommended at least 3 more of my favorite songs by them... I respect you differing from my opinion, but please join me in the fight against toxicity and unnecessarily emotional comments to fellow Epicans' comments.
Best wishes from Namibia 🇳🇦
@Bles Deth @Myra Crystal Halilion IMO means IMO... I still love Epica's music, that's why I recommended at least 3 more of my favorite songs by them... I respect you differing from my opinion, but please join me in the fight against toxicity and unnecessarily emotional comments to fellow Epicans' comments.
Best wishes from Namibia 🇳🇦
I've seen Epica live four times so far. They have awesome energy and chemistry on stage. They're one of my favorite bands to see live. Unfortunately, NYC and Philly don't allow much pyrotechnics use indoors.
Great that ou have found Epica aswell. For such an analytic music lover I suggest two other very complex, technical and progressive bands to check:
1) Ayreon - The Day that the World breaks down. Ayreon is a project of musical genius Arjen Lucasen, and features dozens of the best metal musicians of the World, especially vocalists who kind of play the roles of the people in the Ayreon sci-fi universe. The Day that the World breaks down has a nice music video where Arjen explains the story and some bts about creating the album. You will find some familiar faces on that track😉
2) Wintersun - Sons of Winter and Stars. Wintersun is another Finnish symphonic-melodic-progressive-death-black-folk-what-ever metal band, and two of its members are currently allso playing in Nightwish, drummer Kai Hahto and bassist Jukka Koskinen. The musical master mind of Wintersun is Jari Mäenpää, perfectionist and a genius aswell. If Tuomas Holopainen is the metal-Mozart, Jari is the metal-Vivaldi. Sons of Winter and Stars is a rollercoaster ride of about 15 minutes that showcases the talents of the band pretty well. The official video is their live REHEARSAL at Sonic Pump Studios. You get to see the human metronome Kai in his element - which is rather rare while playing Nightwish because their drums are quite stright forward compared to Wintersun.
Anyway, enjoy and keep those reactions coming!💪🏼
Ariën van Weesenbeek, the drummer, is also called 'The Beast'
Duuude, if you love mixed meter stuff, LEPROUS!
Songs with music videos that would be good from their newest albums would be: Nighttime Disguise ( which was written on stream with viewers as an experiment ) or The Silent Revelation.
Or "Slave" live at Rockefeller music hall, Oslo.
With "doubble drummers"
(Main drummer is Baard Kolstad, pretty good...)
I was at this show! Screaming in one of the front rows and fire was indeed very hot 😆
You should check The Holographic Principle from Epica, I don't think there's a proper live recording of that particular piece though 😔
Ne Obliviscaris - And Plague Flowers the Kaleidoscope has a lot of awesome drumming.
My suggestion to you, my friend: Take in their Kingdom of Heaven Part 3. It is a feast of showmanship, musicality, visuals and vocals. I think it's their best performance.
Epica brings it harder and heavier than NW, and that really does it for me big time. TIGHT band and Simone is a siren of the earth. Seeing them and the amazing Sabaton in Cincinnati in October 😎 Great reaction! New here to your channel, just subbed! 🤘🏼
Welcome
I suggest to you a band called
(Septic Flesh) they are A symphonic death metal band you will love to react to their music
Epica is fantastic! I would recommend the following: Unleashed, The Essence of Silence, Once Upon a Nightmare, Serenade for Self-Destruction, Storm the Sorrow, and Unchain Utopia to get started 😬.
I also recommend checking out Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation if you haven’t listened to them yet. Both bands are amazing.
More epica!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Ne Obliviscaris - And Plague Flowers The Kaleidoscope (Live in Colorado)
Epica Is Epic!!. You can react to A retrospective, songs like Unleashed, Design your Universe, are a jewels. Another great bands from symphonic metal are Therion, father's from genre, Haggard and Xandria. You'll like them.
I always say it: Floor is a Valkyrie, Simone is an Angel, together, are pure fire, if you want to hear them sing together, Sancta Terra is the next suggestion
Next song...
-Semblance of liberty ua-cam.com/video/-bvCI7b4Ziw/v-deo.html
-Chasing the dragon live Retrospect 2013
I want to be there
With my ear's bleeding 😂
Epica is a Metall Band from the Netherlands Simone and floor are best frends Simone is Floors lidel Sister in Metall Simone start her singing by Epica with 17years now she is 39years and one of the best sopranos in Metall 🤘 🤘 🤘
AMAZING! Suggestion, next of Epica should be Design your universe from retrospect concert
Epica - essence of silence (live). Another song you might enjoy 😁.
Hi Tony. Greetings from Greece. I believe you should start from their beginning, The Phantom Agony (album and song, the song is in the top three songs of metal, for my opinion certainly, independently genres, of the century, involving grom death growls to operatic vibratos, and choir, from heavy guitars to violins and cellos. See the studio live version-not the recent one-where Simone is 17yrs old, just a little girl). And of course their ballads: Feint, Tides of time, Solitary ground, Canvas of life, Rivers (a new one). They are less polythematic than Nightwish, intending mainly to self- recognition themes. But literatully are awesome poets with some of their verse to be absolutely ashtonising, eg. "Frail is our beauty in the end", "The stains come alive when the paint has gone dry" etc. Your reaction was pro, indeed!
Thank you for the information
If you mean the 2004 live TV studio session "We Will Take You With Us", Simone was 19, not 17. But yeah, still just a girl, super cute and with stunning unique soprano, pretty different from her current voice.
Epica is simply something else. I was a Nightwish fan first, bud damn, when I started listening to whole Epica albums, it blew my mind. Probably the only band I can listen every single album, song by song. I've never heard such a phenomenal band before. Certainly not in the symphonic metal subgenre. Also listening to Simone's divine soprano is pure joy. When I started listening to their whole albums, Simone surpassed both Tarja and Floor for me. She's now my number 1 female singer of all time.
I already suggested it in your Attack on Titan video , but i'll post the link here..Epica's cover of Attack on Titans "Crimson bow and arrow" ua-cam.com/video/bX3dwi_yuSA/v-deo.html (sadly not live) ,her's a link from a live performance but audio is not great ua-cam.com/video/IHRDjjF_A54/v-deo.html
Next, u can react to Design your Universe or Cry for the moon. Good luck to the channel!
If you are into drums, you should check the drum playthroughs that Epica posted on their official UA-cam channel of songs: Universal Death Squad, Essence of Silence and Abyss of Time
Abyss of Time and Beyond the Matrix are on heavy rotation in my playlist. I suspect you would enjoy them too.
You're going to make us wait 3 days for this?!
Well I'm going outta town. So getting uploads scheduled. Sorry! Lol
@@DrumRollTonyReacts It was worth it lol, not many reactors "get" Epica, it's a complex sound and pretty far from mainstream. Fun to see you have the ears to hear, subbed straight away. Let me give another proggy, math'y, riffy, drummy Epica suggestion, Kingdom of Heaven part 1: ua-cam.com/video/PF56D9mrlck/v-deo.html
Fans usually name Kingdom of Heaven part 1, 2 or 3 as Epica's magnum opus, mostly based on taste as part 1 is heavier, part 2 more melodic, part 3 a blend of heavy and melody.
Watch any of the tracks from their retrospect 2013 show, especially Unleashed. Full orchestra and choir backing them.
dude i love how deeply you inspect all of the instruments. i HIGHLY recommend you react to the hunter x hunter outros and the singular opening as they are incredible and are different from each other kinda similarly to jojos
Fear and loathing in Las Vegas
Epica is like nightwish but 10x better, listen to Unleashed live retrospect next
Next Epica song: "The Essence of Silence" Live!
Greetings and Love from Köln/Cologne, Germany. Great reaction as always. Wow, Seattle...one place i have to visit before i cross the rainbow bridge to open the Gates of Valhalla.
I want to show my respect to Bruce Lee and his boy Brandon, and saying 'Thank You, Bruce..'
Have a p ..oh, wait...one question, please.. 'In Seattle, does it really rain 9 months of a year.? I think 'Sam'(Tom Hanks) said so..in the movie 'Sleepless in..', right..
However, have a peaceful weekend, my friend ☺
It's very grey and cloudy most of the year. That's true
@@DrumRollTonyReacts wuff, thanx for your quick Feedback, buddy...well, i love the rain..actually every kind of weather..we should be thankful that we have weather, instead to complain "awe, it's too hot' or 'damn, .ucking too cold'...
Fun fact,the little piano thing at 9:17 in your vid is from the french national anthem
That's very cool
One of the harshest songs first 😊. The diversity of Epica is phenomenal and Simone was made for ballads. You will find out. Epica is the best Symphonic Metal Band next to Nightwish. And by the way Floor was the vocalist of After Forever. 😊
Hey, I recently discovered your channel and am really enjoying the content! Since you seem to be really into the production side of music, I have a song suggestions for you. Sabaton - The Lost Battalion. If you are not familiar with Sabaton, they are a history focussed power metal band from Sweden and for this specific song they have replaced the drums with different gun sounds, which creates a really unique sound.
Hi there Man. Epica is awesome next to Nightwish ;) You talk about the drummer so here`s the deal. As i recommended a couple a months ago, react to Wintersun "Sons of winter and stars" and "Time" from Live rehearsals at Sonic pump studios and you will get your hotdogs warm :) There is Kai on drums who also is Nigtwish drummer since 2014. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Sweden
I highly suggest Abyss of Time by Epica if you haven't heard it! It's new and one of my faves by them.
im seeing epica and sabaton in pittsburgh in oct
Best version of this one. Their live at Hellfest (another time in France, this summer) is very good but not for this one in particuliar.
Epica incorperates orchestra and choir in almost every song. Often the choir is almost a character in a song. On their lates two albums they used only real instruments, not even 1 sample, on the last album they even used the Philharmonic Orcherstra Prague. So real choirs and orchestra on the albums. They use a backtrack for the orchestration/ choir when on tour. Sofar Epica has used 2 times a huge orchestra and choir live on stage. That's not possible on a world tour as this would be logistic and financial nightmare.
epica unleashed live official
Please react to Archspire they are a amazing Canadian band. Spencer Prewett is a beast of a drummer.
by the things you liked in this song, Kingdom of Heaven pt I lyric video gonna blow your mind
man i think you would appreciate the band Wintersun and their song Sons of Winter and Stars it has alot of the things u liked about this, but like, 10x
Bravo! Now that you have had your first taste of Epica, another thing worth checking out is their collaborations with Floor Jansen (yes, the Nightwish singer). Start with this one: "Sancta Terra" ua-cam.com/video/cx22Yuj2nzg/v-deo.html with a full live orchestra and choir. Nuts.
Nah... Maybe later. There are dozens of better songs he should hear before that.
I really recommend reacting to BURY THE LIGHT Vergil's battle theme from Devil May Cry 5 special edition
more epica!
Hey Tony, sorry to do this on a random video, but can you review:
Sleep Token - ‘Alkaline’. An offering from II
which just dropped. The drumming is intense!
Cheers
Hey, Tony! I think you should react to xtrullor, a very underrated music producer and one of my favourite ones.
For starters, I would say listen to supernova or ichor, love your reactions btw!
React to epica design your universe live retrospect
yes this!
Listen to eluveitie they are my favorite band so far
Check out their music video Abyss of TIme
Hi, Tony. If you're interested in unusual and unique music, I suggest checking out DOOM Eternal's OST. Especially - Super Gore Nest. It's super heavy btw.
Check out Sancta Terra ua-cam.com/video/cx22Yuj2nzg/v-deo.html Simone and Floor voice is a marriage made in heaven.
I wish people start suggesting other Epica songs. This song is nowhere near their best and definitely shouldn’t be the first song people hear. Omg it is so tiring! Please react to Epica - Kingdom of Heaven part 1, 2 or 3 !! Or Epica - The Holographic Principle.
Lol that's tiring? Ok😅
@@DrumRollTonyReacts I meant people suggesting this song is tiring when they could be showing people like you songs from Epica that are 10x better! Imagine that ;)
@@SunOfTheSun I'll definitely try to get to the other stuff as well
@@DrumRollTonyReacts But seriously man. Do it! Epica is worth it.
This is not "just another sympho metal band". This is the peak of the genre.
If you can appreciate great music, you will love Epica.
@@DrumRollTonyReacts good man can’t wait for you to hear greatness
I would recommend you listening to 3 songs of kingdom of heaven in one video
@UCl_fPhRky5e7F3MfJpMx0Cg i don't know how ?
B section was in 10/8 I'm pretty sure
They are cool :)
Time to see some crazy drum tempos and beats, time to see Meshuggah playng Clockworks (drum playthrough): ua-cam.com/video/axGn6qeJHcM/v-deo.html
You should listen to “Libera Me from hell” from the show Gurren Lagann it’s fire
Epica - Cry for the moon or you can react to Epica + Floor - Sancta terra
check out dark horse white horse with black hole...samme drummer...amazing stuff...
You should react to some of the bleach openings and themes, I really enjoyed the Jojo ones. Keep up the good work :)
I plan on doing so