Interesting thing about the filming of this, which Simone relayed in an interview I heard, once she stepped into the circle of fire, the cameraman had to have a second guy tracking him to make sure he didn’t step back into the fire. You don’t think about stuff like that when you are watching it, but it gives you an appreciation of what goes into capturing a performance like this.
@@AmericansLearn Oh, then you would most likely enjoy their 2012 song "Storm the Sorrow" Official Video. 🙂 Simone's dirtiest filming ever... Beautiful song (more radio-friendly) and there's also a great acoustic live version from Pinkpop 2014, very jazzy/swingy.
@@AmericansLearn There are photos from behind the scenes of filming that music video on Simone's page. Can't name it because YT always deletes my post.
@@AmericansLearn I found the interview where Simone talks about it. You can skip to 19 mins, 50 seconds if you wish. That is where she talks about performing Rivers and Once Upon a Nightmare, but it is quite interesting to watch the whole thing… th-cam.com/video/0pc_hFLFHcM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=h_VO0cnUi9ygx2Ib
in the original studio version at the beginning of the song there is a long orchestral introduction, which here was replaced with a duet of piano and guitar and it sounds very cool, 2 versions of this song are simply gorgeous
thank you for wanting to do this, loved your reaction! Epica did so well at this concert, the great thing about this band is how many emotions they can evoke in you with their music, not only with vocals but also in the music, that makes this band unique, glad to see you enjoy it every time! Rivers from this concert remains for me one of the most beautiful and best versions of the song rivers because only Simone sings in here with a choir and its so well done you just get the chills every time you hear it. big kiss from the netherlands 🖤
This is everything! The intro is soooo epic and Simone shining like a vocal Valkyrie!!! Love this band so much!!! Gawd they just have no peer! Great reaction! 😎🤘
I was at the AFAS live Amsterdam Epica concert last night with orchestra and 2 choirs. It was amazing. Maybe try The Ghost Within Me, it is brand new, played for the first time at the concert.
Was so happy when i saw the show live the first time. Finally a good "live" performance of this song 😁. Song before this one is a pretty special one to, Epica Rivers (a capella) omega alive.
Now as we know what you like, I would like to recommend „The Tides of time“ by Epica. I‘m sure now that you‘ll love it! Greetings from Hamburg, Germany 🤘
I concur. Beyond the studio version, I think this is the best live version, even though Ms Simons has a tiny vocal slip-up: th-cam.com/video/ktuuGE_J50g/w-d-xo.html
If you compare the lyrics to the classical literature you will find that this piece was inspired (or adapted to) Johann Wofgang von Goethe ballad of the Erlking.
The studio version is also worth listening to, because the intro is quite different. It's done entirely with classical instruments and sounds like the best film soundtrack I've ever heard!
Simone simons is the only one who have smoothest transition voice from chest to head voice, and so powerful. She also really have greatest airy voices. What a beautiful voice of her. Compare to another female vocal opera in metal, simone simons is the best for that. Actually....!!!
This is my favourite Epica song, thank you so much for reacting to it! The guitar intro on this (not on the studio version) adds a whole new level to it. I remember when I was watching the live stream and the guitar started, it took me a minute to identify the song 😂 SO GOOD
It took a while but I finally subscribed to your channel ( which I rarely do) But I love your reactions to my favorite band. And I love the way you described Simone voice like a crystal clear mountain river. Unfortunately TH-cam only allows me one like. But here you have some more. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Simone Simons has got to be the world's biggest winner of the genetic lottery. She's like the real life equivalent of rolling up a D&D character and getting all 18s.
if thats sounds interesting to you, you can react to one song but two different versions and see how completely different sound and feeling is EPICA - Abyss of Time (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) and EPICA - Abyss O'Time (OFFICIAL ACOUSTIC VIDEO)
@@AmericansLearn Epica did many acoustic versions of their own metal songs and they are always amazing. Only a great metal song can be transformed into a great acoustic version. You can't do that with some some generic metal song. It only shows what great musicians they are. I can give you multiple suggestions for future "double reactions" if you wish. Just one reaction video, but listening to two songs in it. One metal and one acoustic. What do you think?
Hi Lauren! Simone is great in switching from chest voice to head voice and back. She often uses mixed voice and vocal coach Mary Zimmer on youtube called Simone "the master of mixing". 🙂 The spoken words you can hear in this ballad are parts of the poem Erlkönig (Alder king) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, about the Alder king who steals children's souls. You should also listen to the album version as it is quite different from the Omega Alive version. I'll drop the link in a separate post below this one. 😉
The only other band I know of that has such an excess of talent is Dream Theater. But Epica's songs work so much better than theirs on an emotional level.
Lauren, please please, your next reaction needs to be EPICA - Unleashed (Live at the AFAS Live) - one of their best known songs. It's quite straightforward, no harsh vocals, but it's beautiful! I like the fact that you can really appreciate beautiful operatic vocals, transitions between chest and head, etc. Not too many people know enough about those things. The song I mentioned above is from 2009, their 4th studio album, but here it is performed in 2023 and Simone sounds better than ever! Her crystal clear soprano will give you chills here. Besides Simone's gorgeous voice, the song itself has a beautiful catchy melody and toward the end it has one of the most epic key changes I've ever heard! Seriously, no cap. 😂 In this particular video, the huge screen behind the band makes that key change even more epic. You will see! Please, do this one asap! Even better if you could do it together with your friend from opera.
It might not be my next video then, but I will absolutely talk to Kat about getting her back in the seat next to me. It sounds like that would be a great video for her. Thank you!
@@AmericansLearn OK, deal. 🙂 I'll be waiting for it. Can you please write it down somewhere? The whole title, not only the song name. It's Unleashed "Live at the AFAS Live". Some reactors are given exact titles and yet they still manage to react to different videos. 😅
@@AmericansLearn The AFAS version of UNLEASHED is awesome, but the RETROSPECT version with the full orchestra & choir on stage and the violin begining of Pirates of the Carribean is, just, magical!
I don't know if this was more of a stripped-down version but there is another version of this on the holographic principles tour where it's more orchestrated otherwise this is one of my favorite songs!🎼🤘🌹
nice reaction chasing the dragon from retrospect live solitary ground the oficial video or feint from studio version some other songs simones voice clear and strong
Maybe react to Tommy Johansons covers on his page. Hes also the guitarist of Sabaton and has a band called Majestica. A great cover to begin with is shes gone from Stealheart❤
Interesting thing about the filming of this, which Simone relayed in an interview I heard, once she stepped into the circle of fire, the cameraman had to have a second guy tracking him to make sure he didn’t step back into the fire. You don’t think about stuff like that when you are watching it, but it gives you an appreciation of what goes into capturing a performance like this.
Also eagle from skeleton key video wanted to fly away while attached to Simones hand and pulled her. There was a video of that.
I do love watching behind the scenes for technically challenging videos like this one .
Thanks for the tidbit!
@@AmericansLearn Oh, then you would most likely enjoy their 2012 song "Storm the Sorrow" Official Video. 🙂 Simone's dirtiest filming ever...
Beautiful song (more radio-friendly) and there's also a great acoustic live version from Pinkpop 2014, very jazzy/swingy.
@@AmericansLearn There are photos from behind the scenes of filming that music video on Simone's page. Can't name it because YT always deletes my post.
@@AmericansLearn I found the interview where Simone talks about it. You can skip to 19 mins, 50 seconds if you wish. That is where she talks about performing Rivers and Once Upon a Nightmare, but it is quite interesting to watch the whole thing… th-cam.com/video/0pc_hFLFHcM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=h_VO0cnUi9ygx2Ib
in the original studio version at the beginning of the song there is a long orchestral introduction, which here was replaced with a duet of piano and guitar and it sounds very cool, 2 versions of this song are simply gorgeous
The lyrics are inspired by German folklore, a tale about the Alder King, or Erlking, who steals children’s souls.
Amazing. That sounds like a cool story. I'm definitely gonna have to look into the myth itself. For spooky season 👻
Erlkonig (Erlking) Also a famous piece for soloist and piano, by Franz Schubert.
On the studio album, the intro section is fully orchestral, it's beautiful 🙃
Both versions are independently amazing. Like the best film soundtrack ever for a movie that's never been made.
And it's a METAL band writing such gorgeous classical music. Crazy.
If there is a heaven, that is Epica...
That crunchy guitar tone and piano combo😍
Epica 😎🧡
thank you for wanting to do this, loved your reaction! Epica did so well at this concert, the great thing about this band is how many emotions they can evoke in you with their music, not only with vocals but also in the music, that makes this band unique, glad to see you enjoy it every time! Rivers from this concert remains for me one of the most beautiful and best versions of the song rivers because only Simone sings in here with a choir and its so well done you just get the chills every time you hear it. big kiss from the netherlands 🖤
I concur - and River is sooo beautiful - a MUST DO
This is everything! The intro is soooo epic and Simone shining like a vocal Valkyrie!!! Love this band so much!!! Gawd they just have no peer! Great reaction! 😎🤘
I was at the AFAS live Amsterdam Epica concert last night with orchestra and 2 choirs. It was amazing. Maybe try The Ghost Within Me, it is brand new, played for the first time at the concert.
Was so happy when i saw the show live the first time. Finally a good "live" performance of this song 😁. Song before this one is a pretty special one to, Epica Rivers (a capella) omega alive.
I am looking forward to the Rivers Acapella version
The name of the Singer from Epica is Simone simons 😊
Love epica lekker hoor ❤❤❤❤
Now as we know what you like, I would like to recommend „The Tides of time“ by Epica. I‘m sure now that you‘ll love it!
Greetings from Hamburg, Germany 🤘
I definitely concour!
I concur. Beyond the studio version, I think this is the best live version, even though Ms Simons has a tiny vocal slip-up: th-cam.com/video/ktuuGE_J50g/w-d-xo.html
Thank-you for watching this one, very glad you enjoyed it so much. It's easily one of my favourites.
Lauren's sequence of facial expressions starting at 4:38 is delightful! This is what I watch reaction videos for. ❤
And an angel fell from heaven and started singing. And her name is Simone. So so proud to be a Dutchie! Greetings from the Netherlands.
Now i here Epica for over 20years
If you compare the lyrics to the classical literature you will find that this piece was inspired (or adapted to) Johann Wofgang von Goethe ballad of the Erlking.
This Epica performance is just speechless. Your video and reaction makes honor to this creation. Thank you.
Lauren have you already seen the interview that itsmetauri had with simone simons???is worth to watch
I haven't, but I'll look into it
The studio version is also worth listening to, because the intro is quite different. It's done entirely with classical instruments and sounds like the best film soundtrack I've ever heard!
Simone simons is the only one who have smoothest transition voice from chest to head voice, and so powerful. She also really have greatest airy voices. What a beautiful voice of her. Compare to another female vocal opera in metal, simone simons is the best for that. Actually....!!!
This is my favourite Epica song, thank you so much for reacting to it! The guitar intro on this (not on the studio version) adds a whole new level to it. I remember when I was watching the live stream and the guitar started, it took me a minute to identify the song 😂 SO GOOD
It took a while but I finally subscribed to your channel ( which I rarely do) But I love your reactions to my favorite band. And I love the way you described Simone voice like a crystal clear mountain river. Unfortunately TH-cam only allows me one like. But here you have some more. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you, I appreciate it
Simone Simons has got to be the world's biggest winner of the genetic lottery. She's like the real life equivalent of rolling up a D&D character and getting all 18s.
Beautiful reaction as always! You can now listen the audio version with the violin in the begining. My favorite! Greetings from Greece!
if thats sounds interesting to you, you can react to one song but two different versions and see how completely different sound and feeling is
EPICA - Abyss of Time (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
and
EPICA - Abyss O'Time (OFFICIAL ACOUSTIC VIDEO)
Support ❤
Cool. Perhaps a side by side comparison is in the future then
@@AmericansLearn Epica did many acoustic versions of their own metal songs and they are always amazing. Only a great metal song can be transformed into a great acoustic version. You can't do that with some some generic metal song. It only shows what great musicians they are.
I can give you multiple suggestions for future "double reactions" if you wish. Just one reaction video, but listening to two songs in it. One metal and one acoustic. What do you think?
@@AmericansLearn Please do more Epica asap!
Thank you again for a great reacrtion :) What a band!!! These 6 peeps should be together till the end...............
Hi Lauren!
Simone is great in switching from chest voice to head voice and back.
She often uses mixed voice and vocal coach Mary Zimmer on youtube called Simone "the master of mixing". 🙂
The spoken words you can hear in this ballad are parts of the poem Erlkönig (Alder king) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, about the Alder king who steals children's souls.
You should also listen to the album version as it is quite different from the Omega Alive version. I'll drop the link in a separate post below this one. 😉
OK, the link was deleted... Just search up the song title + lyrics and choose the upload by bhaimovich123
Hey Loren the singer from Epica is Simone Simons
The image Lauren describes at 10:20 is the cover art for Iron Maiden's album Fear of the Dark!
Btw thx for your epica reaction 💝💝💝
It's interesting that some people live and swim in music in a way that someone like me can only admire from the outside. Lauren has it too.
Floor the singer from Nightwish is Simones best frend the old singer by Nightwish is alo a soprano her name is Tarja Turunen
Simone sing now 22years Bey Epica
The only other band I know of that has such an excess of talent is Dream Theater. But Epica's songs work so much better than theirs on an emotional level.
Lauren, please please, your next reaction needs to be EPICA - Unleashed (Live at the AFAS Live) - one of their best known songs. It's quite straightforward, no harsh vocals, but it's beautiful!
I like the fact that you can really appreciate beautiful operatic vocals, transitions between chest and head, etc. Not too many people know enough about those things.
The song I mentioned above is from 2009, their 4th studio album, but here it is performed in 2023 and Simone sounds better than ever! Her crystal clear soprano will give you chills here. Besides Simone's gorgeous voice, the song itself has a beautiful catchy melody and toward the end it has one of the most epic key changes I've ever heard! Seriously, no cap. 😂 In this particular video, the huge screen behind the band makes that key change even more epic. You will see!
Please, do this one asap! Even better if you could do it together with your friend from opera.
I concur 👍
It might not be my next video then, but I will absolutely talk to Kat about getting her back in the seat next to me. It sounds like that would be a great video for her. Thank you!
@@AmericansLearn OK, deal. 🙂 I'll be waiting for it. Can you please write it down somewhere? The whole title, not only the song name. It's Unleashed "Live at the AFAS Live". Some reactors are given exact titles and yet they still manage to react to different videos. 😅
@@AmericansLearn The AFAS version of UNLEASHED is awesome, but the RETROSPECT version with the full orchestra & choir on stage and the violin begining of Pirates of the Carribean is, just, magical!
I concur, definitely even better than the AFS version
I love this reaction!
You should seen your own face 😀😀.
Smoon realy got you here.
The whole of Epica and Smoonie gets me still every time after being my fav band for years now
Epica was bild in 2003 and so long i here epica
Epica is epic.
Its just an art.
I don't know if this was more of a stripped-down version but there is another version of this on the holographic principles tour where it's more orchestrated otherwise this is one of my favorite songs!🎼🤘🌹
Simone sing now 22years by epica ans she is my veveret singer in Metall
The Gitarr Player on the beginning came from Belgium he sing with Mark together
The Name of the Singer from Epica is Simone Simons i watch your Video
Heck the vidios from epica when Simone sing with her best frend floor this is fun
The gitarr Player isac de laye came frm Belgium but he is wild and onnof the best Gitarre Players in Metalll
The sopranps have a fuller voisr as the sopranos in the Opern gouse
Hey Loren when you next year mor listn to Epica than Scheck out the wacken open air this is one of the bigest Metall festival in North Germany 😅
Simone is the Name of the Singer from Epica
nice reaction chasing the dragon from retrospect live solitary ground the oficial video or feint from studio version some other songs simones voice clear and strong
Lauren you missed sabaton and epica they where in new york this weekend 😢😢😢
Their tour with Sabaton in USA was last Fall 2022
Well hopefully at some point they'll come to Chicago and I'll get to see them
Simone is Floors lidel Sister in Metall
The Name of the Singer by Epica is Simone Simons she can with her classic voise extrem High
I would like to suggest - The Gathering, Travel (live) and Anathema - Untouchable (live Universal show)
If you like this you will also really like Epica: Tides of time!
The Piano Player and the Gitarrist in the vidio are Bandmaits of Simone
Huh???
Lauren, I tell you a little secret; we in tiny Holland have a few handfuls of these front women. But ssssssst......don't tell anyone......
Listen The Storm to Sorrow from Epiva rhis was my first Song and vidio wat i here and see from Epica
Coen and the 2end Gitarr Player.play the Intro isack came.from Belgium
In the Netherland s have all female singer in Metall a classic voise Simone and floor are best frends and floor can also classic sing
Simone sing 22years by Epica
Simone have a absolut classic voise but when she go wirh the Band from epica tis is havy Metall
Maybe react to Tommy Johansons covers on his page.
Hes also the guitarist of Sabaton and has a band called Majestica.
A great cover to begin with is shes gone from Stealheart❤
Here a liddel Warning Epica play not only Opera they play also realMetall Simone is a wild Girl have fun
Santa Terra sing Simone with floor
All female singer in the Metall sene sing a SOprano in the Netherland s are.the classic metall at home
Simonenis now. 39years old she sing in a Metall Band but her voise is better as the sopranos in the Opera
We wany more 😅😅😅
Lauren next request apocaliotica with simone simons with rise again live in Londen
Simone is floors. Liddel.sister.in .Metall