Welcome to the world of EPICA :) The sub-genre is called symphonic metal (metal + orchestral instruments). Epica and Nightwish are currently the biggest names in it (others are Therion, Xandria, Delain, Within Temptation), although Nightwish is slowly shifting towards more folk-ish sound. Epica is the heaviest of all the bands I mentione and they also incorporate death and black metal elements into symphonic metal. In this song you didn't hear any harsh male vocals but they often use the duality called "beauty and the beast" that originated in gothic metal. The lead female vocalist here is gorgeous Simone Simons, a classically trained soprano singer. Harsh vocals are done by Mark Jansen, the founder of the band, rhythm guitarist and main composer. Simone also writes lyrics for almost 50% of their songs. This particular performance is from their 10th anniversary (2013) concert called Retrospect which was released on DVD. It lasted for 3 hours and Simone was 3 months pregnant at the time. Props to her for pulling off such a great performance. They normally don't play with a live orchestra as it is not only expensive but also a logistical nightmare. This orchestra was from Hungary. I hope you're gonna react to much more Epica! This band will blow your mind, I promise ;)
@@ReactionsbyD Enjoy the ride. I will be seeing them live in march 2022, together with Apocalyptica, a band from Finland, mostly string instruments. They did Metallica covers. I'm curious what this combination will sound like, I expect Epic.
@@UltimaSRi In Europe, there are a lot of metal bands that use a symphony orchestra. Dimmu Borgir may be the most extreme, as they are in the Black Metal genre. But the orchestra is an ornament in their case. If they performed without it, the difference would not be too big. In my opinion, the heaviest band in the symphonic rock genre is the Greek symphonic death metal band Septicflesh. I recommend the full concert of Septicflesh “Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX (Full Video)” available on YT. Here the orchestra is a very important part of the sound layer. That's because the group's leader Sotiris Antoniou is a classical musician by training, and he orchestrates the music himself. The orchestra creates a dark atmosphere in their concerts in the style of contemporary music. Sotiris also creates the fully symphonic Chaostar project and creates dark graphics for his album covers, but also for other metal bands. Such a dark renaissance man.
Hi you just discovered a rare Gem, there is no other band like EPICA, they are unique, the most symphonic of symphonic metal bands, been my favorite band for many years,
Epica and Nightwish are both symphonic metal though Epica is heavier. Yes, there are relationships through Floor Jansen. They are not related but Mark Jansen, founder of Epica, was in After Forever with Floor. Simone and Floor were actually roommates for a time and are still close. They are both Dutch but Floor lives in Sweden with her husband, drummer of Sabaton Hannes van Dahl, while Simone resides in Germany with her husband, keyboard player of Kamelot Oliver Palotai. There are multiple appearances of Floor and Simone singing together both with After Forever and with Epica. Another connection is through Amanda Summerville. The ones generally considered the Dutch Goddesses were: Floor Jansen Simone Simons Sharon Den Adel Charlotte Wessels Anneke van Giersbergen I'm sure there are others as the Netherlands obviously has something in the water to produce great female singers but the ones above are the usual list.
As a crazy fan of Nightwish I would like to suggest you a few Epica's songs: 1. Design Your Universe (Retrospect Live) 2. Chasing The Dragon (Retrospect Live) 3. Rivers - single from new album Omega 4. Solitary Ground 5. Cry For The Moon 6. Consign To Oblivion - Live at the Zenith (one from most heaviest and most epic) This is reaction for Epica song so I won't say anything about this song with Floor ;)
@@redfielduniverse While not even close to being my favorite Epica songs, I can see recommending those two for Floor Jansen fans as a way of easing them into the band.
It is fine if they want to ease people into the band using floor Jansen… The problem is the recommendations usually stop there and we never see Epica reviewed by these reactors again.
This was a concert to celebrate the bands 10th anniversary. That's why the choir and orchestra were there, normally they just use prerecorded tracks. Oh and by the way, Simone was 3 months pregnant during this show, it was 3 hours long so that's why she wasn't "getting into the metal" so much as normally ;p Mark, the guitarist and founder of Epica also sings on most of their songs. I suggest checking out Design your universe from the same Retrospect show.
Epica is the other symphonic metal monster alongside Nightwish. These two bands, which have many connections are the absolute peak of Symphonic metal. In a sense, and for framework, you could say Nightwish is the Metallica of Symphonic metal ( bringing the genre to the masses outside) whereas Epica are the Iron Maiden (huge, melodic, harder hitting).
In the same concert….Simone Simons and Floor Jansen singing ‘Sancta Terra’ and ‘ Stabat Mater’, ridiculous so good those two queens. A must to react. Thanks for your reaction. Greetings from The Netherlands.
No, no Sancta Terra... Maybe later, after he reacts to more Epica. Sancta Terra is not even in the best 15 of Epica. Floor fans only recommend it because of Floor.
Actually it's called Symphonic Metal and yes they are the main exponents of the genere (along with Nightwish) nowadays, and if you liked this I suggest the songs "Design your universe", "Chasing the dragon" and "Serenade of Self destruction" from the same show (Retrospect). Now they are hevier than Nightwish because they use a technique called "The beauty and the beast" where they mix the beautyful vocals of Simone Simons (the main singer) and the agressive growls of Mark Jansen (the rythmic guitarrist).
GREAT WAY TO DISCOVER EPICA!!! Great way to start Epica with "Unleashed" and live from the Retrospect show!!!! Btw EPICA is not Nightwish 2.0. Nightwish is Nightwish! Epica is Epica! 😉 Both bands play Symphonic metal genre. Both use orchestra and choir in their music, but in my opinion and as a fan of both bands since 2005, Epica utilized orchestra and choirs more. The differences are their styles in making symphonic metal music. Nightwish is more on the power metal side. Epica is more on progressive and with an influence of death and black metal. Keep checking more from this show... I highly suggest "Design Your Universe", "Blank Infinity", and "The Obsessive Devotion".
Sometimes it seems like Epica is a bit standing in the shadows of Nightwish as they're hyped all over the reaction-scene. Well Epica is way harder so it may be less "mainstream" within the Symphonic-Metal range while they are sooooo good - regarding technic, singing, lyrics, performances. You may want to check out "Consign to oblivion" - the live at the zenith (paris) version - if you want to see a mindblowing performance, or have a look at the elder "Kingdom of heaven" live version with subtitles - its partially super hard and a very looooong performance :D Have fun with Epica! :)
That was an enjoyable reaction, your confusion was priceless. Also a bit how I felt the first time I heard Epica, now they're my favourite band. A good number of people will likely ask for Sancta Terra with Floor, it's not a good demonstration of their normal sound. I'd recommend something like Universal Death Squad:th-cam.com/video/IRkLFkiakw0/w-d-xo.html such a great song.
Agree. They are already asking for Sancta Terra.... Floor fans who don't care about Epica. Then they will switch to Ayreon, but only songs with Floor, as they don't care about Ayreon either.
I won't rip on Floor or her fans, but I do dearly love the music that Epica creates. The song mentioned by @LuvtheJEm is a fine example of Epica... and gives the viewer great visibility on their musical skills.
@@randalljones4370 Exactly. Floor is amazing, I would easily argue one of the best in the world. She's a jack of all trades vocally, which is what makes her so good. I just prefer people give Epica a chance to stand on their own before listening to them with guests. Too often reactors listen to Sancta Terra and never come back to Epica again.
@@bobsuisse2 Because you don't want them to get the wrong idea. Epica is very heavy and when people say react to Sancta Terra, Unleashed, Storm the Sorrow and sings like that they think their like Nightwish but Epica are their heavy songs like Kingdom of Heaven, Design Your Universe, and more.
@@redfielduniverse I am completly fine with Design your Universe, Kingdom of Heaven etc. I love them and I have no problem to recommand them first. But there is a big difference to Consign to Oblivion. Simone 😊. If you like with CtO they are also getting a wrong idea. The truth is in between. A lot of reactors stopped reacting to Epica after CtO, I want them to discover Epica. And since the album DYU 2009 they have a great balance in their songs between Mark and Simone. You also do not start to recommand TPATP as a NW fan for the 1st one. 😊
@@redfielduniverse Depends on the reactor. Some people need a little "grooming" before they can be exposed to the most epic Epica :)) Otherwise it can end up like for example "Father and Son" reactors... Have you seen their reaction to Consign..?
Epica are great. Similar to Nightwish indead, but more metal. This show was awesome. I wish I’d seen them there. But I’ll see live them this Friday 😬. Just dig in, they got a lot more great songs. This concert was special though, because they normally play with backing tracks like Nightwish does. Bringing a whole orchestra on tour is way too expensive.
Yeah you did it. Epica is the best Symphonic Metal Band next to Nightwish. They are harder, playing with the beauty of Simone's voice and the growls of Mark Jansen. So you have unbelievable ballads like "Rivers" (it is beyond beautiful!!!) and epic heavy masterpieces like "Design your Universe" live (Retrospect) - same show. NW and Epica are close, because Mark Jansen the founder of Epica was part of Floor's first band After Forever. Also Simone and Floor are close friends. So a mindblowing recommandation is "Sancta Terra". Epica feat Floor Jansen. 😊
EPICA!! Just like Nightwish a Symphonic Metal Super League band. And no peers do not stage warm for each other ;) The opening by the orchestra is a bit tongue in cheek: it has melody lines of an old beer commercial for Grolsch, called 'Grolsch going baroque' more commonly known by the slogan 'Vakmanschap is meesterschap' (Craftsmanship is Mastership) by Clous van Mechelen a.k.a. Jan Vos. Check out more EPICA!! They are awesome!
Mmmm... Well Nightwish maybe is totally alone in their own league. Epica is excellent, but almost all their songs sounds similar. If you hear it at the very first time, is incredible, but passing time, and it becomes a bit bored.
🤔 The same concert a friend of Simone shows up for two songs Sancta Terra and Stabat Matar. It's another great singer from the Netherlands you may know her it's Floor Jansen...
Unlike the Metallica/Michael Kaman arrangements of metal songs, symphonic metal is written from the ground up as a fusion of symphonic orchestral music and metal. The first violins are as much a part of the mix as the guitars. And the result often sounds like it would fit into the soundtrack of an action-adventure movie.
Epica is amazing, but there are more great Dutch metalbands. You should definitly check out "Dear Mother" With their debut album "Bulletproof". They are a new dutch metalband formed by ex-Delain guitarist Merel Bechtold and ex-Delain drummer Joey de Boer. They teamed up with David "Pear" Hruska as their vocalist. Its realy worthwhile! I recently found them and bought the album right away, they're incredible! th-cam.com/video/gUCW2caH0nk/w-d-xo.html
Please wait with "Consign to Oblivion". It is one of the harshest songs with 80% heavy growls. IMO one of the last songs to discover, because it doesn't represent the current sound of Epica. The song is from 2004. 1st Album. A fine one if you KNOW the band better. Like discovering Metallica for the 1st time with St Anger 😂.
@@bobsuisse2 Consign to Oblivion is like St Anger? lol.. it’s more like the title track of Ride the Lightening. But Epica is keep developing for almost 20 years and become more awesome, unlike Metallica after the black album. Give a try to the last album Omega title track or Kingdom of Heaven part 3 to get their current sound 💪🏻
@@MrSh0110 😂. You misunderstood me. I have been a big Epica fan since 2009. Omega is nuts and Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 is epic and a masterpiece. What I meant was, if you want to show someone the greatness or epicness of a band you wouldn't start with one of the harshest songs at all. "Consign" is one of the harshest songs from Epica. Nice to react if you know them, but not a good one if you don't, because as you also have mentioned Epica sounds different and they have developed their music in the last 20 years. So give the reactor a chance to discover the beauty of Simone's vocals, the perfect contrast of Mark's growls when they are telling a story like Kingdom, Design your Universe, Skeleton Key or ballads like Tides, Rivers etc. Consign isn't representive at all, like St. Anger 😂 IMO
@@bobsuisse2 ok.. we’re on the same side man. IMO suggested songs for intro should be based on who we’re dealing with. Epica is so diverse and there are many paths for revealing their awesomeness. I usually recommend Consign to Oblivion live for experienced metalheads who like it heavy, open to some harsh vocals and may think Epica is just another band. After seeing CtO live, many of them are saying this is one of greatest live shows they’ve ever seen in their life and they eager to hear more from this band. It’s also a showcase of the band’s ‘fun’ style and interaction on stage. For people who are not experienced metalheads, I recommend a softer start that will eventually drag them to the dark side 🤘🏻 Anyhow I agree your suggestions are great as a start as well.
More dutch female fronted metal wonders; delain ayreon after forever revamp within temptation vuur the gathering yes, dutch metal and symphonic metal is among the best in the world 😊
yeah love them, such a shame they copyright and block just about EVERY epica I have tried to do since - same with Nightwish :( Shame when labels dont want their singers / bands to get props and more exposure from others.
Nightwish-vibe? Well, that is not by coincidence. Floor Jansen (singer of Nightwish) once upon a time was the singer in a band called After Forever. At the same time Tuomas founded Nightwish. Both bands developed into a similar (new) genre later called "symphonic metal" Then After Forever started to fall apart. First Mark Jansen (not related) had to leave After Forever and founded......Epica! Then Mark asked Simone to become the singer of Epica. Since Simone and Floor were good friends when Floor had her professional vocal training, Floor shared all she learned with Simone. A few years later Floor became the 3rd front-woman of Nightwish. So, yeah....no supprise you get Nightwish-vibes there. However After Forever started off as a Death-Metal band, which Mark continued into Epica, where Nightwish started off as a Folk Metal band. You can still hear their difference in origin.
Some of this is not true. Floor didn't share her knowledge with Simone at all. Simone based her voice off of Tarja's and got lessons from Amanda Somerville. Mark was kicked out of the band by Floor and Sander, and After Forever doesn't dictate why Epica is compared to Nightwish as Mark has said he deliberately wanted Epica to sound different than them both. Plus a lot of us don't understand why they are compared considering they don't sound alike in any way besides the orchestra. Epica is way more heavy and speaks about different topics. Plus their music doesn't revolve around the lead singer like Nightwish but rather about the band and the message of the lyrics. Simone and Floor weren't on good terms at that moment especially because she was Mark's girlfriend during him getting kicked out the band and was there when he wrote an angry song about them. Floor and Simone simply had the same vocal coach and that was it. Nightwish only influence Epica during the first 2-3 albums when Simone based her voice on Tarja.
@@myracrystalhalilion9790 Oh ...how could I forget. Another similarity between NW and Epica: both fan-bases contain people that hold grudges against Floor. In my opinion YT is part of the free world. I can compare all I want.
@@redfielduniverse It is a quite common comment that Floor shared what she learned with Simone. *But you are right*, this cannot be right . At least the timeline does not fit, which makes me wonder of any of that story is correct. I stand corrected. I'm not completely aware about the difference in: the band telling a member he has to leave and a member being kicked out. English is not my primary language but I would say that is exactly the same. Why NW and Epica compared, you ask? Why would people compare a Ferrari and a Lamborghini. They are both supercars, but very different. If they were the same there would be no point in comparing them, would it? NW and Epic are both symphonic metal bands, but different. BTW I would say it's a good thing AF broke up. Now Mark has his own epic band (pun intended) NW has an awesome singer. It is a confirmation that _"those who can do, those who can't teach"_
@@vogel2280 Now I'm going to be completely honest, I do love Floor and love Nightwish but I feel that there is alot of misinformation being spread around Floor and Simone. Like have you heard of the roommate thing? People say they were roommates in college which doesn't make since because Simone never went to college. They say that Floor had her mic turned down during Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa which is also not true. Floor also never taught Simone any lesson, they both simply had the same vocal coach. Um...I guess you can view telling a band member they had to leave can be the same as kicking them out but they kicked Mark out during a rehearsal and said he was spending too much time with the fans. They didn't give him a heads up at all, they just kicked him out. I personally also don't see the need to compare, I just wish when could all just love the music we love without comparing singers and sound. But yes out of the outcome, was epic. We get an epic band called Epica with a gorgeous singer named Simone and we get a great singer for Nightwish named Floor. In the end, everything turned out well but I just think Simone deserves more recognition rather than being compared to Floor all the time.
Unleashed is a beautiful song imho. Still better than Sancta Terra. And the key change at the end of Unleashed is incredible, mostly thanks to Smoon's vocals.
Hey D, I came across your channel in recommendations. I watched your reaction to Stevie Ray Vaughan. I am a huge SRV fan! Stevie was mesmerizing... He never performed any song the same way twice. I look forward to joining your musical journey. I'd like to introduce you to another band. "AC/DC - Thunderstruck (Official Video)" and if you want to hear another SRV song I have a suggestion "Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Pride and Joy(Live at...)." Look forward to hearing what you think... Thanks for your content and Have a Good Evening.. OH, and I will try to spell his last name in a way that will you pronounce it..lol Stevee Ray Vawn Hope this helps my brother ;-)
Thanks :) it does help! Oh and I know ACDC - Grew up with them! Amazing Band one of many I grew up with - while I was into rock, then metal , then dance, then rap , then back to metal lol I was all over, hell at one point I was listening to only CLASSICAL music in car.
Haha those funny americans have no clue about our european symphonic metal goddesses and their bands. I guess you should check out "Epica - Sancta Terra live, feat. Floor Jansen" to bring this whole thing on an even higher level. That one might even blow your mind too. XD
Man, you have no idea what you found here🔥 great song but quite average in Epica’s standards. This band has it all to the max and will blow your mind as you go deeper. Enjoy. Check out these to have a glimpse - Epica - Design Your Universe live Epica - Consign to Oblivion live Epica - The Skeleton Key Epica - Rivers Epica - Kingdom of Heaven
Epica have a crazy music Mix the soprano voise from Simone and the dearh Metall Sound from the Band . Check out Consign to Oblivion live at Zenith Paris and you Know what i nean and you see the Wall of Epica
Try Ayreon - The Day That The World Breaks Down - The Source (2017) th-cam.com/video/oFuMKdrzPqU/w-d-xo.html And Ayreon - Valley of the Queens th-cam.com/video/TbebO5BZi-I/w-d-xo.html Or Star One - Fate of Man (Brittney Slayes, Michael Romeo) th-cam.com/video/vn7P3oVMnys/w-d-xo.html
Symphonic Metal Epica more Death Metal Influences, Nightwish more folk metal-based, Dreamtheatre more live theatre influence same as Kamelot. Nightwish is also basically untouchable they are the third-best metal band of all time according to Billboard which is the chart venues look at to book arenas and stadiums. Behind Metallica and Iron Maiden so yeah Nightwish is huge most people in North America are oblivious even in India they are #8 and most Indians never heard of them personally I chalk it up to more people not paying attention when you say metal in average Americans head is it's all growling forgetting about well Iron Maiden is Metal they don't growl then they come back with that is rock it used to be metal but now metal is all growling it's like no it's just an addition to the genre. The problem is the American view of the world is very broken education system sucks and the corporate indoctrination over the people and government to keep the money train going has created problems hard to get the truth even. They have a lot more laws about advertising and reporting new sin Europe and us in NA are lagging behind on these types of laws America is super behind the times so is Canada but not as bad.
Personally, I don't recommend you reacting to Sancta Terra live ft. Floor Jansen. If you want to react to Sancta Terra then I'd do the studio track and not the live one. It seems that mainly people want reactors to react to Sancta Terra first, only because Floor is in it. I think with Floor in it, you don't really get the feel of who Epica is because people want to see it because of Floor. If you're going to start a Epica journey then just focus on Epica.
Oh, you totally don't get Epica's sound im that song, that's what Mark and Simone said. They said that's the commercial song for others to come into the band and it isn't what they sound like at all.
Agree. It's only recommended by Floor fans. After that they'll try to switch to Ayreon (but only songs with Floor, nothing else). They don't care for either of the bands, just wanna see reactions to Floor.
NO !! Reactions to this song are always about that "special guest", but this is supposed to be about EPICA. And Sancta Terra is not even in Epica's top 15 songs.
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Welcome to the world of EPICA :)
The sub-genre is called symphonic metal (metal + orchestral instruments). Epica and Nightwish are currently the biggest names in it (others are Therion, Xandria, Delain, Within Temptation), although Nightwish is slowly shifting towards more folk-ish sound. Epica is the heaviest of all the bands I mentione and they also incorporate death and black metal elements into symphonic metal.
In this song you didn't hear any harsh male vocals but they often use the duality called "beauty and the beast" that originated in gothic metal. The lead female vocalist here is gorgeous Simone Simons, a classically trained soprano singer. Harsh vocals are done by Mark Jansen, the founder of the band, rhythm guitarist and main composer. Simone also writes lyrics for almost 50% of their songs.
This particular performance is from their 10th anniversary (2013) concert called Retrospect which was released on DVD. It lasted for 3 hours and Simone was 3 months pregnant at the time. Props to her for pulling off such a great performance. They normally don't play with a live orchestra as it is not only expensive but also a logistical nightmare. This orchestra was from Hungary.
I hope you're gonna react to much more Epica! This band will blow your mind, I promise ;)
I got it Kyle - thanks!
@@ReactionsbyD Enjoy the ride. I will be seeing them live in march 2022, together with Apocalyptica, a band from Finland, mostly string instruments. They did Metallica covers. I'm curious what this combination will sound like, I expect Epic.
Epica is not!! the heaviest symph.metal.... check out Dimmu Borgir!!
@@Buboenik Happens to also be why there's an 'A' at the end of Epic. The original members were all huge Metallica fans. Same as Apocalyptic'A'...
@@UltimaSRi In Europe, there are a lot of metal bands that use a symphony orchestra. Dimmu Borgir may be the most extreme, as they are in the Black Metal genre. But the orchestra is an ornament in their case. If they performed without it, the difference would not be too big. In my opinion, the heaviest band in the symphonic rock genre is the Greek symphonic death metal band Septicflesh. I recommend the full concert of Septicflesh “Infernus Sinfonica MMXIX (Full Video)” available on YT. Here the orchestra is a very important part of the sound layer. That's because the group's leader Sotiris Antoniou is a classical musician by training, and he orchestrates the music himself. The orchestra creates a dark atmosphere in their concerts in the style of contemporary music. Sotiris also creates the fully symphonic Chaostar project and creates dark graphics for his album covers, but also for other metal bands. Such a dark renaissance man.
Hi you just discovered a rare Gem, there is no other band like EPICA, they are unique, the most symphonic of symphonic metal bands, been my favorite band for many years,
Seen them 4 times 3 in Dallas Texas 1 in LA Wow an amazing brilliant band call them beautiful Metal
Epica has all the music!
Epica and Nightwish are both symphonic metal though Epica is heavier. Yes, there are relationships through Floor Jansen. They are not related but Mark Jansen, founder of Epica, was in After Forever with Floor. Simone and Floor were actually roommates for a time and are still close. They are both Dutch but Floor lives in Sweden with her husband, drummer of Sabaton Hannes van Dahl, while Simone resides in Germany with her husband, keyboard player of Kamelot Oliver Palotai. There are multiple appearances of Floor and Simone singing together both with After Forever and with Epica. Another connection is through Amanda Summerville.
The ones generally considered the Dutch Goddesses were:
Floor Jansen
Simone Simons
Sharon Den Adel
Charlotte Wessels
Anneke van Giersbergen
I'm sure there are others as the Netherlands obviously has something in the water to produce great female singers but the ones above are the usual list.
As a crazy fan of Nightwish I would like to suggest you a few Epica's songs:
1. Design Your Universe (Retrospect Live)
2. Chasing The Dragon (Retrospect Live)
3. Rivers - single from new album Omega
4. Solitary Ground
5. Cry For The Moon
6. Consign To Oblivion - Live at the Zenith (one from most heaviest and most epic)
This is reaction for Epica song so I won't say anything about this song with Floor ;)
Thank you. You can tell when someone is not that big of a Epica fan when the first recommend is Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa.
@@redfielduniverse While not even close to being my favorite Epica songs, I can see recommending those two for Floor Jansen fans as a way of easing them into the band.
@@djkotowski Still are better songs to recommend to get them into Epica. But alright, hopefully they continue after this.
And dont forget the Kingdom of Heaven part 1,2 and 3.
It is fine if they want to ease people into the band using floor Jansen… The problem is the recommendations usually stop there and we never see
Epica reviewed by these reactors again.
This was a concert to celebrate the bands 10th anniversary. That's why the choir and orchestra were there, normally they just use prerecorded tracks. Oh and by the way, Simone was 3 months pregnant during this show, it was 3 hours long so that's why she wasn't "getting into the metal" so much as normally ;p Mark, the guitarist and founder of Epica also sings on most of their songs. I suggest checking out Design your universe from the same Retrospect show.
Epica is the other symphonic metal monster alongside Nightwish. These two bands, which have many connections are the absolute peak of Symphonic metal. In a sense, and for framework, you could say Nightwish is the Metallica of Symphonic metal ( bringing the genre to the masses outside) whereas Epica are the Iron Maiden (huge, melodic, harder hitting).
I like your comparisons, just don't forget before Nightwish there was Therion :)
@@cancelled_user absolutely. I would say Therion are the Black Sabbath of Symphonic metal. Mega Therion and Sitra Ahra are phenomenal.
Yes, THERION is the other member of the holy trinity of symphonic metal.
In the same concert….Simone Simons and Floor Jansen singing ‘Sancta Terra’ and ‘ Stabat Mater’, ridiculous so good those two queens. A must to react. Thanks for your reaction. Greetings from The Netherlands.
No, no Sancta Terra... Maybe later, after he reacts to more Epica.
Sancta Terra is not even in the best 15 of Epica. Floor fans only recommend it because of Floor.
@@cancelled_user Hey Kyle, indeed Epica is also amazing. My favourite.. the song Abyss of Time
Actually it's called Symphonic Metal and yes they are the main exponents of the genere (along with Nightwish) nowadays, and if you liked this I suggest the songs "Design your universe", "Chasing the dragon" and "Serenade of Self destruction" from the same show (Retrospect).
Now they are hevier than Nightwish because they use a technique called "The beauty and the beast" where they mix the beautyful vocals of Simone Simons (the main singer) and the agressive growls of Mark Jansen (the rythmic guitarrist).
Epica! 🤟 😁. Another amazing song from the same concert.
Epica - design your univers live retrospect
This whole concert with choir and orchestra is a masterpiece. Pick any song from it and you won't be disappointed 🤘
GREAT WAY TO DISCOVER EPICA!!!
Great way to start Epica with "Unleashed" and live from the Retrospect show!!!!
Btw EPICA is not Nightwish 2.0. Nightwish is Nightwish! Epica is Epica! 😉
Both bands play Symphonic metal genre. Both use orchestra and choir in their music, but in my opinion and as a fan of both bands since 2005, Epica utilized orchestra and choirs more.
The differences are their styles in making symphonic metal music.
Nightwish is more on the power metal side.
Epica is more on progressive and with an influence of death and black metal.
Keep checking more from this show... I highly suggest "Design Your Universe", "Blank Infinity", and "The Obsessive Devotion".
Hi from the UK 🇬🇧 next check out Epica consign to oblivion live at the zenith Paris it will blow you away 😀
Do we already know if he actually likes growls or not?
EPICA - Consign to Oblivion (live)
Not yet...
Sometimes it seems like Epica is a bit standing in the shadows of Nightwish as they're hyped all over the reaction-scene. Well Epica is way harder so it may be less "mainstream" within the Symphonic-Metal range while they are sooooo good - regarding technic, singing, lyrics, performances. You may want to check out "Consign to oblivion" - the live at the zenith (paris) version - if you want to see a mindblowing performance, or have a look at the elder "Kingdom of heaven" live version with subtitles - its partially super hard and a very looooong performance :D
Have fun with Epica! :)
Expect Epica has also been a big influence on other bands that have taken the heavier side of symphonic metal same goes with Dimmu.
That was an enjoyable reaction, your confusion was priceless. Also a bit how I felt the first time I heard Epica, now they're my favourite band. A good number of people will likely ask for Sancta Terra with Floor, it's not a good demonstration of their normal sound. I'd recommend something like Universal Death Squad:th-cam.com/video/IRkLFkiakw0/w-d-xo.html such a great song.
Agree. They are already asking for Sancta Terra.... Floor fans who don't care about Epica.
Then they will switch to Ayreon, but only songs with Floor, as they don't care about Ayreon either.
I won't rip on Floor or her fans, but I do dearly love the music that Epica creates.
The song mentioned by @LuvtheJEm is a fine example of Epica... and gives the viewer great visibility on their musical skills.
@@randalljones4370 Exactly. Floor is amazing, I would easily argue one of the best in the world. She's a jack of all trades vocally, which is what makes her so good. I just prefer people give Epica a chance to stand on their own before listening to them with guests. Too often reactors listen to Sancta Terra and never come back to Epica again.
Floor from Nightwish has actually sung along on one of their tracks. It's pretty good :-)
Uhh, 2 of their songs at that show 😀
Epica is AMAZING saw them live once and still one of my favorite concerts ever!!
And that's just one great song from their 3hr long 10th Anniversary concert.
Epica brilliant. Current favourite song Consigned to oblivion from Paris 😀
Why one of the harshest songs first?
@@bobsuisse2 Because is one of their best songs.
@@bobsuisse2 Because you don't want them to get the wrong idea. Epica is very heavy and when people say react to Sancta Terra, Unleashed, Storm the Sorrow and sings like that they think their like Nightwish but Epica are their heavy songs like Kingdom of Heaven, Design Your Universe, and more.
@@redfielduniverse I am completly fine with Design your Universe, Kingdom of Heaven etc. I love them and I have no problem to recommand them first. But there is a big difference to Consign to Oblivion. Simone 😊. If you like with CtO they are also getting a wrong idea. The truth is in between. A lot of reactors stopped reacting to Epica after CtO, I want them to discover Epica. And since the album DYU 2009 they have a great balance in their songs between Mark and Simone. You also do not start to recommand TPATP as a NW fan for the 1st one. 😊
@@redfielduniverse Depends on the reactor. Some people need a little "grooming" before they can be exposed to the most epic Epica :)) Otherwise it can end up like for example "Father and Son" reactors... Have you seen their reaction to Consign..?
They were my first ever concert back in 2012!! They are AMAZING
Epica are great. Similar to Nightwish indead, but more metal. This show was awesome. I wish I’d seen them there. But I’ll see live them this Friday 😬. Just dig in, they got a lot more great songs. This concert was special though, because they normally play with backing tracks like Nightwish does. Bringing a whole orchestra on tour is way too expensive.
Not classical metal but was close, it calls Symphonyc Metal.
This band is amazing.
🤘😝🤘
I still remember my first time. "Epica - The Obsessive Devotion (live) 30.3.2007" is the video that dropped my jaw.
Oh by the way check out Epica's "Sancta Terra" feat. Floor.
Yeah you did it. Epica is the best Symphonic Metal Band next to Nightwish. They are harder, playing with the beauty of Simone's voice and the growls of Mark Jansen. So you have unbelievable ballads like "Rivers" (it is beyond beautiful!!!) and epic heavy masterpieces like "Design your Universe" live (Retrospect) - same show. NW and Epica are close, because Mark Jansen the founder of Epica was part of Floor's first band After Forever. Also Simone and Floor are close friends. So a mindblowing recommandation is "Sancta Terra". Epica feat Floor Jansen. 😊
EPICA!! Just like Nightwish a Symphonic Metal Super League band. And no peers do not stage warm for each other ;)
The opening by the orchestra is a bit tongue in cheek: it has melody lines of an old beer commercial for Grolsch, called 'Grolsch going baroque' more commonly known by the slogan 'Vakmanschap is meesterschap' (Craftsmanship is Mastership) by Clous van Mechelen a.k.a. Jan Vos.
Check out more EPICA!! They are awesome!
Mmmm... Well Nightwish maybe is totally alone in their own league. Epica is excellent, but almost all their songs sounds similar. If you hear it at the very first time, is incredible, but passing time, and it becomes a bit bored.
Also check Epica on Wikipedia for some basic info :)
I'd suggest consign to oblivion. Mind blowing performance and showcases the dynamic range this epic band has.
Epica is just the fastest symphonic metal
🤔 The same concert a friend of Simone shows up for two songs Sancta Terra and Stabat Matar. It's another great singer from the Netherlands you may know her it's Floor Jansen...
Congrats u have been visited by the Epica Army
Symphonic Metal is the genre!
Dude, that WTF? Reaction just made my day!
yep, that's our dutchies that's how we roll in the shire
Unlike the Metallica/Michael Kaman arrangements of metal songs, symphonic metal is written from the ground up as a fusion of symphonic orchestral music and metal. The first violins are as much a part of the mix as the guitars. And the result often sounds like it would fit into the soundtrack of an action-adventure movie.
Epica is amazing, but there are more great Dutch metalbands. You should definitly check out "Dear Mother" With their debut album "Bulletproof". They are a new dutch metalband formed by ex-Delain guitarist Merel Bechtold and ex-Delain drummer Joey de Boer. They teamed up with David "Pear" Hruska as their vocalist. Its realy worthwhile!
I recently found them and bought the album right away, they're incredible!
th-cam.com/video/gUCW2caH0nk/w-d-xo.html
Epica is proof that the only thing that the only thing that seperates metal from classical is amps and electric guitars
You need to react to Dimmu Borgir: Gateways live!! Youre gonna love it!!
Your expression at first was priceless. Sancta Terra is a must! Consign To Oblivion is also excellent.
Please wait with "Consign to Oblivion". It is one of the harshest songs with 80% heavy growls. IMO one of the last songs to discover, because it doesn't represent the current sound of Epica. The song is from 2004. 1st Album. A fine one if you KNOW the band better. Like discovering Metallica for the 1st time with St Anger 😂.
@@bobsuisse2 Consign to Oblivion is like St Anger? lol.. it’s more like the title track of Ride the Lightening. But Epica is keep developing for almost 20 years and become more awesome, unlike Metallica after the black album.
Give a try to the last album Omega title track or Kingdom of Heaven part 3 to get their current sound 💪🏻
@@MrSh0110 😂. You misunderstood me. I have been a big Epica fan since 2009. Omega is nuts and Kingdom of Heaven Part 3 is epic and a masterpiece. What I meant was, if you want to show someone the greatness or epicness of a band you wouldn't start with one of the harshest songs at all. "Consign" is one of the harshest songs from Epica. Nice to react if you know them, but not a good one if you don't, because as you also have mentioned Epica sounds different and they have developed their music in the last 20 years. So give the reactor a chance to discover the beauty of Simone's vocals, the perfect contrast of Mark's growls when they are telling a story like Kingdom, Design your Universe, Skeleton Key or ballads like Tides, Rivers etc. Consign isn't representive at all, like St. Anger 😂 IMO
@@bobsuisse2 ok.. we’re on the same side man. IMO suggested songs for intro should be based on who we’re dealing with. Epica is so diverse and there are many paths for revealing their awesomeness. I usually recommend Consign to Oblivion live for experienced metalheads who like it heavy, open to some harsh vocals and may think Epica is just another band. After seeing CtO live, many of them are saying this is one of greatest live shows they’ve ever seen in their life and they eager to hear more from this band. It’s also a showcase of the band’s ‘fun’ style and interaction on stage.
For people who are not experienced metalheads, I recommend a softer start that will eventually drag them to the dark side 🤘🏻
Anyhow I agree your suggestions are great as a start as well.
@@MrSh0110 Completly your opinion. I love CtO, it's always the best ending of an Epica show at all 😊
Welcome to European Symphonic Metal my dude. The most complex music in the world :)
Many People consider Mozart and Beethoven the first beginings of Metal
please react Epica - design your univers live retrospect
Like Nightwish Epica is also Great!!
Yes, Épica is epic. Yo can see Therion, a fathers of symphonic metal. They too play with an orchestra on Miskolc experience. You like It too
lucky Εurope to see such music live
More dutch female fronted metal wonders;
delain
ayreon
after forever
revamp
within temptation
vuur
the gathering
yes, dutch metal and symphonic metal is among the best in the world 😊
Slainte from the Netherlands !!
I see is not only your first time listening to Epica. You've just discovered symphonic metal xD
yeah love them, such a shame they copyright and block just about EVERY epica I have tried to do since - same with Nightwish :( Shame when labels dont want their singers / bands to get props and more exposure from others.
Nightwish-vibe? Well, that is not by coincidence.
Floor Jansen (singer of Nightwish) once upon a time was the singer in a band called After Forever. At the same time Tuomas founded Nightwish. Both bands developed into a similar (new) genre later called "symphonic metal"
Then After Forever started to fall apart. First Mark Jansen (not related) had to leave After Forever and founded......Epica! Then Mark asked Simone to become the singer of Epica. Since Simone and Floor were good friends when Floor had her professional vocal training, Floor shared all she learned with Simone.
A few years later Floor became the 3rd front-woman of Nightwish.
So, yeah....no supprise you get Nightwish-vibes there. However After Forever started off as a Death-Metal band, which Mark continued into Epica, where Nightwish started off as a Folk Metal band. You can still hear their difference in origin.
Some of this is not true. Floor didn't share her knowledge with Simone at all. Simone based her voice off of Tarja's and got lessons from Amanda Somerville. Mark was kicked out of the band by Floor and Sander, and After Forever doesn't dictate why Epica is compared to Nightwish as Mark has said he deliberately wanted Epica to sound different than them both. Plus a lot of us don't understand why they are compared considering they don't sound alike in any way besides the orchestra. Epica is way more heavy and speaks about different topics. Plus their music doesn't revolve around the lead singer like Nightwish but rather about the band and the message of the lyrics. Simone and Floor weren't on good terms at that moment especially because she was Mark's girlfriend during him getting kicked out the band and was there when he wrote an angry song about them. Floor and Simone simply had the same vocal coach and that was it. Nightwish only influence Epica during the first 2-3 albums when Simone based her voice on Tarja.
Stop revolving everything about Floor and Nightwish! This isn't about them, this is about EPICA not Floor or Nightwish
@@myracrystalhalilion9790 Oh ...how could I forget. Another similarity between NW and Epica: both fan-bases contain people that hold grudges against Floor.
In my opinion YT is part of the free world. I can compare all I want.
@@redfielduniverse
It is a quite common comment that Floor shared what she learned with Simone. *But you are right*, this cannot be right . At least the timeline does not fit, which makes me wonder of any of that story is correct. I stand corrected.
I'm not completely aware about the difference in: the band telling a member he has to leave and a member being kicked out. English is not my primary language but I would say that is exactly the same.
Why NW and Epica compared, you ask? Why would people compare a Ferrari and a Lamborghini. They are both supercars, but very different. If they were the same there would be no point in comparing them, would it? NW and Epic are both symphonic metal bands, but different.
BTW I would say it's a good thing AF broke up. Now Mark has his own epic band (pun intended) NW has an awesome singer.
It is a confirmation that _"those who can do, those who can't teach"_
@@vogel2280 Now I'm going to be completely honest, I do love Floor and love Nightwish but I feel that there is alot of misinformation being spread around Floor and Simone. Like have you heard of the roommate thing? People say they were roommates in college which doesn't make since because Simone never went to college. They say that Floor had her mic turned down during Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa which is also not true. Floor also never taught Simone any lesson, they both simply had the same vocal coach. Um...I guess you can view telling a band member they had to leave can be the same as kicking them out but they kicked Mark out during a rehearsal and said he was spending too much time with the fans. They didn't give him a heads up at all, they just kicked him out. I personally also don't see the need to compare, I just wish when could all just love the music we love without comparing singers and sound. But yes out of the outcome, was epic. We get an epic band called Epica with a gorgeous singer named Simone and we get a great singer for Nightwish named Floor. In the end, everything turned out well but I just think Simone deserves more recognition rather than being compared to Floor all the time.
The reason the singer Simone is not going mad as you seem to want is because this was a three hour concert and she was pregnant.
Epica is Epica 😻👌
That reaction was totally natural dude. U looked amazed haha
Yeah he killed me 😂
Interuptus giganticus !!!
Epica 🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿
Get back to Epica please🙏🏻
THE Retrospect show is the Classical Side of Epica epica sounds mutch more Hevyer
This is not even near their best song (i love it tho)!!!!!!!!!
React to Victims Of Contingency ❤️🔥
Unleashed is a beautiful song imho. Still better than Sancta Terra.
And the key change at the end of Unleashed is incredible, mostly thanks to Smoon's vocals.
@@cancelled_user any song is better than ST tho xD Unleashed is good but it’s way overplayed!!!!!
Hey D, I came across your channel in recommendations. I watched your reaction to Stevie Ray Vaughan. I am a huge SRV fan! Stevie was mesmerizing... He never performed any song the same way twice. I look forward to joining your musical journey. I'd like to introduce you to another band. "AC/DC - Thunderstruck (Official Video)" and if you want to hear another SRV song I have a suggestion "Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Pride and Joy(Live at...)." Look forward to hearing what you think... Thanks for your content and Have a Good Evening.. OH, and I will try to spell his last name in a way that will you pronounce it..lol Stevee Ray Vawn Hope this helps my brother ;-)
Thanks :) it does help! Oh and I know ACDC - Grew up with them! Amazing Band one of many I grew up with - while I was into rock, then metal , then dance, then rap , then back to metal lol I was all over, hell at one point I was listening to only CLASSICAL music in car.
Haha those funny americans have no clue about our european symphonic metal goddesses and their bands.
I guess you should check out "Epica - Sancta Terra live, feat. Floor Jansen" to bring this whole thing on an even higher level. That one might even blow your mind too. XD
Funny, but also sad. At least they are getting more exposure thanks to the reaction video scene.
Symphonic Metal!!!!
Man, you have no idea what you found here🔥 great song but quite average in Epica’s standards. This band has it all to the max and will blow your mind as you go deeper. Enjoy.
Check out these to have a glimpse -
Epica - Design Your Universe live
Epica - Consign to Oblivion live
Epica - The Skeleton Key
Epica - Rivers
Epica - Kingdom of Heaven
Epica have a crazy music Mix the soprano voise from Simone and the dearh Metall Sound from the Band . Check out Consign to Oblivion live at Zenith Paris and you Know what i nean and you see the Wall of Epica
Epica is epic right? :)
Aha, sused. Dufam, ze budes podporovat Epica reakcie pravidelne ;)
Moja najoblubenejsia skupina. A milujem Simone, je uzasna.
@@cancelled_user jj Epica je prostě top, Simone je úžasná, viděl jsem je živě a stálo to za to!!!
Try Ayreon - The Day That The World Breaks Down - The Source (2017) th-cam.com/video/oFuMKdrzPqU/w-d-xo.html
And Ayreon - Valley of the Queens th-cam.com/video/TbebO5BZi-I/w-d-xo.html
Or Star One - Fate of Man (Brittney Slayes, Michael Romeo) th-cam.com/video/vn7P3oVMnys/w-d-xo.html
I love them, I would try them all - but they all get copyrighted, Epica allows NOTHING through I noticed over my last 4-5 attempts
Maybe I’m confused with another song, still not sure?
There is another great song called i n all consience. There are more but to start.
next reaction consing to oblivion live and desing your universe
Symphonic Metal Epica more Death Metal Influences, Nightwish more folk metal-based, Dreamtheatre more live theatre influence same as Kamelot. Nightwish is also basically untouchable they are the third-best metal band of all time according to Billboard which is the chart venues look at to book arenas and stadiums. Behind Metallica and Iron Maiden so yeah Nightwish is huge most people in North America are oblivious even in India they are #8 and most Indians never heard of them personally I chalk it up to more people not paying attention when you say metal in average Americans head is it's all growling forgetting about well Iron Maiden is Metal they don't growl then they come back with that is rock it used to be metal but now metal is all growling it's like no it's just an addition to the genre. The problem is the American view of the world is very broken education system sucks and the corporate indoctrination over the people and government to keep the money train going has created problems hard to get the truth even. They have a lot more laws about advertising and reporting new sin Europe and us in NA are lagging behind on these types of laws America is super behind the times so is Canada but not as bad.
Man, this is an old video. Coen (the keyboard player) still has hair. lol
seabat mater dolorosa epica feat floor
!!!!!!!
as next Epica - Sancta Terra (feat Floor Jansen) Live Retrospect show .........Love Epica..... Floor and Simone are budys from the Musicschool
They aren't buddies from Music School. Simone didn't do that. They simply had the same vocal coach.
epica head banger QUIETUS LIVE WACKEN 2008
They copyright everything :( same with Nightwish - its a shame.
"Sancta Terra" next please. Live retrospect show. You might get a nice surprise. 😉
Nooo! Epica have many better songs... Sancta Terra is not even in the top 15.
Stop with your Sancta Terra. They have way proper representation of their music!
Why would they open or close for Nightwish they are just as big
I love Nightwish but they are not the only band around
try epica tides of time and memory
Simone has performed duets with Floor Jansen of Nightwish.
Please react to EZ MIL FREESTYLE, DEATH METAL !! Not only a Rapper but also a metal rocker 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🇵🇭thanks if you will ✌
To compare epica with nightwish is total nonsense, epica is more qualitative in the overall consept.
How do you like Dutch music ?????????????????????
Personally, I don't recommend you reacting to Sancta Terra live ft. Floor Jansen. If you want to react to Sancta Terra then I'd do the studio track and not the live one. It seems that mainly people want reactors to react to Sancta Terra first, only because Floor is in it. I think with Floor in it, you don't really get the feel of who Epica is because people want to see it because of Floor. If you're going to start a Epica journey then just focus on Epica.
THANK YOU.gif
Oh, you totally don't get Epica's sound im that song, that's what Mark and Simone said. They said that's the commercial song for others to come into the band and it isn't what they sound like at all.
Preach!
Agree. It's only recommended by Floor fans. After that they'll try to switch to Ayreon (but only songs with Floor, nothing else). They don't care for either of the bands, just wanna see reactions to Floor.
@@cancelled_user They won't even let anyone listen to Tarja anymore either 🤦🏻♀️
Epica- Sancta Terra Live (Feat. a VERY SPECIAL GUEST!!!)
NO !!
Reactions to this song are always about that "special guest", but this is supposed to be about EPICA.
And Sancta Terra is not even in Epica's top 15 songs.
@@cancelled_user congrats. You have an opinion