Fun fact the male vocalist, Mark Jansen and Floor Jansen, no relation, used to be in a band together called After Forever. Also Floor and Simone are best friends and use to live together when they were much younger. Put this all together and you can see how the Metal scene in Europe is at time more like a big family then a competition between bands.
@@nightwishisthegreatestband6355 That is what I heard that they shared an apartment in their younger days. That may be wrong but I heard it from a couple of places.
@@TheDoctorIWho This is an unconfirmed rumor that doesn't line up with the facts. Floor went to the Rock Academy for her post-secondary education, whereas Simone got private lessons while she was still in high school. Maybe they shared a hotel room a couple of times on tour, but the idea that they lived together is pure fanfic. On the other hand, if it makes you happy to believe it, I can't PROVE that they never shared a flat. Their friendship came to an end after Floor joined Nightwish, which gave me the impression that she was only being friends with Simone for business reasons, since Simone's band was so much more successful than her. Floor is a very savvy person who knows how to work people. She's able to work well with Tuomas, which is not exactly the easiest thing. Whatever the details are, I'm happy for her.
he plays so clean even in live and is always shocking listening to his recording. He is amazing in every aspect and seriously a lovely person and great musician who still learns new things and wants to get better.
Epica is just another facet in this genre of metal that is so fascinating. You might want to check our their new video 'Abyss of Time' and you might find interesting a 'chat' Floor Jansen just released with Simone Simons about women fronting bands like Epica and Nightwish.
@@SongsandThongs You need to do more Epica guys! You can't get a good picture of this band from 3-4 songs, let alone 1 song :) Epica is incredible! I would say it's the only symphonic metal band that can match the grandeur of Nightwish and in some respects even surpass it. The lead female soprano is Simone Simons, our metal princess :) As you can probably tell, she is also classically trained. Her voice is angelic and ethereal, but she can also do some powerful belts. I've heard a vocal coach calling Simone the "queen of mixed voice" as she usually doesn't use just operatic soprano (head voice), but rather a mix of head voice + chest voice and she's doing it very well. You may have noticed she's also a gorgeous woman :) Check out her personal blog called Smoonstyle. The growling guy and guitarist is Mark Jansen, the founder of the band. He's not related to Floor Jansen (now Nightwish), but they were in the same band called After Forever, before he founded Epica. The keyboard guy is Coen Janssen. If you love him so much, google some pictures of him and his curved keyboard :) I'd like to recommend a few more songs: * Storm the Sorrow - th-cam.com/video/dNoTvg0t52c/w-d-xo.html - this song is denounced by some metalheads because it has "too mainstream sound" but I think it's beautiful. And the video is very cool! Please, read about the meaning of the song as explained by Simone herself here: www.smoonstyle.com/2012/05/stormed-sorrow.html Also scroll down the page to see photos from shooting the video :) * Universal Death Squad (official lyrics video) - th-cam.com/video/P_Ys_W7ySkM/w-d-xo.html This one has some "Terminator themed lyrics" as you can probably tell :) * Resign to Surrender (incl. prelude Samadhi) - th-cam.com/video/ed0IumD5UT8/w-d-xo.html I think this is a brilliant music composition, absolutely stunning. And it's got some heavier parts too ;) * Kingdom of Heaven - th-cam.com/video/hFlgT4dny4k/w-d-xo.html Now this is a 13 minutes long masterpiece! When you're in a mood for something really epic (and heavier), do this one! You won't be disappointed. Please, let me know if you'd like to hear some of their ballads too. I know you like heavier music so I'm not sure if you'd like to hear it, but I think those ballads best showcase Simone's wonderful soprano. Not to mention that it's simply an amazing music overall.
@@SongsandThongs Please, save all the links I posted above, or save the whole post in a text file, so you don't forget about it. It took some time and effort to write it, find and post all links, so please, don't ignore it. I really liked your reaction. I think you're going to love Epica :) When I discovered it for the first time, I knew immediately that this isn't like anything I've heard before (and I was already a Nightwish fan back then).
Hey Kyle, sorry for the delay in responding. Thanks for all the recommendations and for the links that you have shared. Appreciate your effort in this and it is always very helpful 🙂 We've added these recommendations to our list and will be sure to check it out soon. PS: You are more than welcome to send a few ballads as well 😀😀 Stay safe and be blessed!
@@SongsandThongs Ballads? Tides of Time: th-cam.com/video/sn765tJuaoE/w-d-xo.html Rivers: th-cam.com/video/3rW7Vpep3II/w-d-xo.html My top picks from Epica, and top picks for ballads overall as well!
The keyboardist - Coen Janssen (no relation to Mark Jansen on guitars or Floor Jansen), also does the orchestration and arrangement work for the band. Epica works with orchestras, and even Children's orchestra in the latest album. Coen deserves a heck of a lot of love.
YES!! Glad you've been introduced to Epica!! Now you can do "The Essence of Silence" live official video. Then "Universal death squad" for a non live one. Awesome reaction🤘🤘
Epica is an exceptional band. If you like this, prepare for one hell of a ride. They’re around since 2002, masterfully combine death, thrash, prog, goth and symphonic elements. Well known for ‘the beauty and the beast’ vocals, complex yet catchy compositions and their incredible live shows as well as their epic long masterpieces, moving ballads and all what’s in between. BTW - They’ve just released their 8th album. Check out some more - Epica - Design Your Universe live Epica - Kingdom of Heaven Epica - Chasing the Dragon live Epica - The Skeleton Key
Epica is sooo HUGE! This song is from their 2nd album. They have Just released their 8th album "Omega" and IT SLAAAAAPS. Absolut Amazing album! ( Epica NEVER dissapoints, always exceeds expectations) Next recommendation: Design Your Universe live Restrospect, The Essence of Silence live, The Devine Conspiracy live Retrospect. Non-live songs: latests Singles are GREAT: Abyss of Time, The Skeleton Key. To see Epica's death metal influences: Victims of Contingency, Universal Death Squad, Ascension Dream State Armageddon. ENJOY!!
great ! you did Epica ! we must say: Epic - yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa ! This band is as phenomenal as Nightwish. we told you for several month ;). you know what ? I was at this concert ! it was my birthday's gift of my friends (yes, I'm french). I'll remember this concert all my life ! More ? you should do: "Sancta terra - retrospect live", an incredible duet Simone/Floor ! try to imagine the queen Simone sining withthe goddess Floor :D ! From the same retrospect live, try "design your universe". AMAZING ! for this retrospect live, a complete symphonic orchestra is on stage. 3 hours of pure joy !
Epica! 🤟 😁. Simone, my favorite singer in the whole world. She is amazing. Want a huge contrast from this song, check out there newest ballade Epica - River. Want to se another Epic song from a mind blowing consert, sheck out Epica - design your univers (live retrospect). That's song 23/25 in a 3 houer consert 🤯. Love the band 🤟. Oh, Simone is pregnant in that retrospect show to.
You are going to love Simone Simon a agile and talented mezzo-soprano vocalist. Simone adopted Tarja singing style after listening to Nightwish's album "Oceanborn" which remains her favorite Nightwish album; to classical/symphonic metal. Enjoy
@@cancelled_user Nowadays she is indeed a soprano, but in the beginning of the band, she was a mezzo (and you can hear her beautiful and rich timbre in the early songs)
@@cancelled_user Your vocal chords change until you are 35 apparently, and pregnancy affects a lot of things in the body too. It is not possible to change your tessitura outside of biological factors, though. But you can definitely hear the difference between 17yo Simone's voice and her voice now, singing the same songs. Her tone is airier and even lighter than before.
I adore Epica, they were my introduction to Symphonic Metal. This is the full on, unleashed heavy symphonic metal sound that I love, the superb complexity and variation between the orchestral and electric instruments, between the death growls and angelic voice. Whatever happy listen triggers I have in my brain, this band finds them and hits them.
Yeah, this just sounds so BIG! Especially with headphones it's mindblowing: th-cam.com/video/09e0jIYT5e4/w-d-xo.html The heavy guitar riff, choir and Simone's wonderful soprano. That's heaven!
@@ChrisPage68 nightwish is too poppy lately lol. Epica sounds like a heavy metal band and they are symphonic metal. Nightwish hasn't released anything decent since imaginaerum...
Always fun to see someone enjoying experience Epica. You definitely have to watch Epica - ‘Sancta Terra’ as well. Expect to receive a lovely treat from them if you do. th-cam.com/video/cx22Yuj2nzg/w-d-xo.html You’ll notice that most current symphonic metal musicians and vocalists are really close friends. (BTW, happy World Womens Day)
some memorable Epica songs are Design Your Universe, The Essence of Silence, They have a new video out for their new album Omega for the song The Skeleton Key a must see. also another fun song is Chasing the dragon where they have 2 gals come out while they are performing and do performing on 2 curtains dropped from the ceiling also Cry for the moon one of the studio tracks featuring part orchestra and choir with them the best Full Orchestra and backing choir performance is Design your Universe.
Arien van Weesenbeek is the drummer. Hitting things since he was 3, spoons and forks at first - ask his parents! Then he found his dad's drumkit!.... born to rock!.... Coen Janssen (no relation to Mark or Floor, double "S") on keyboards! AWESOME!
This song is a perfect example of why I love symphonic metal...have been a huge classical music fan since a kid and then got introduced to metal in 80s (Megadeth, Metallica, Priest, Maiden then Pantera) then these bands broke up, had less music (or music I didn’t care for) so was really discouraged for long time so just listened to these older songs on repeat. Low and behold the world of wonderful bands I was missing out on because of the suck fest of a US music industry 🤬🤬. Stumbled onto a Nightwish reaction video late one night on a YT rabbit hole journey and I’ve been addicted to this genre ever since. I love Simone’s voice combined with the heaviness of music plus the growls. The instrumentations are incredible and so much like many classical pieces I love ...just amplified and with Ibanez and Gibson and Korgs playing them instead of Violins/Cellos/harpsichords...but the cool part is in most of these bands you get that too. You’ll enjoy their repitoire. Great reaction again. 🤘
If you want to know how these guitarist are: check out "Presto" from the retrospect concert (the same one with Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater, where Isaac DelaHaye ( I believe) does a fast Vivaldi duet with the lead violin player of the classical orchestra, and NAIL's it effortlessly, like he is just having a walk in the park. (unbelievable)
Excellent band. Saw them twice in Athens, Greece ( I missed them the first time that came with Kamelot!😩) and they were awesome both times. They are consistently good both in songwriting and their live performances. Simone of course always steals the show. She’s a metal queen in every way possible. She is also one of the Big Five female pioneers of the boom of the female fronted bands in Europe ( Liv Christine of Theater of Tragedy, Tarja Turunen of Nightwish, Simone Simons of Epica, Floor Jansen of After Forever/Nightwish, and of course Anneke from the Gathering), at a time when women in metal were practically counted almost on one hand. This song is always a fan favorite not only because it’s a great song but also because it encapsulates Epica as a band. Awesome reaction and happy international women’s day to the women in your life!
Hello Nikos, you forgot one very obvious female fronted band that came around very early and was also very imprtant for the female fronted boom: Within Temptation with Sharon den Adel. There really is no way to not include her on any list of pioneers in this genre.
@@hansolo2121 you’re absolutely right! Sharon is amazing and Within Temptation a band of important musical and historical significance to the metal genre.
Epica just dropped new album Omega!! might be the best album they ever made, especially Kingdom of heaven part 3 is a journey in itself, grat songs on new album.. The retrospective show is a nice show to pick some live reactions from, as the band got a full symphony orchestra with them, as well as a choir.. Kingdom of heaven part 1, could be a good one, design your universe, or the essence of silence could also be good picks, what Epica also got is some beatiful ballads where Simone´s voice really shine, like Chasing the dragon or canvas of life, great reaction, im gonna subscribe your guys!!
Epica retrospect live show they perform with a live orchestra and choir. For three hours. Floor is a quest star on two songs and btw Simone was pregnant at the time! Best song imho Design your universe...
@@SongsandThongs Yeah? Then you might like "In All Conscience". The tempo is actually slower but it's got some nice heavy guitar riffs :) It's a bonus track from their album The Quantum Enigma. And this video is an "aftermovie" from metal concert, many slow-mo shots, really epic :) th-cam.com/video/09e0jIYT5e4/w-d-xo.html There's also an acoustic version of this song.
I would highly recommand one of their accoustic version, not only it's a great contrast with the symphonic metal side but it's so well put together, specialy if you listen to the original and the accoustic back to back, great experience.
Hi Songs and Thongs, as you have just experienced, Epica are a phenomenal band, check out the new video from their new album 'Omega': EPICA - The Skeleton Key (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
Yeah the word is Mind Blowing LOL Please do more Epica, because they have tons of great compositions song and Mind Blowing. If you don’t mind i recommend Desgin your universe - Live at retrospect (You should see they performance in this concert) Kingdom of Heaven (They masterpiece) . Hope you would doing that. Thank guys for great reaction 🤘🏿
Great reaction. Thanks for appreciating all the members of the band. You should not miss the choir and orchestra placed backstage. Many reactors think it's a pre-recorded track when they are not on stage. But the thing is they are always there. Please do react to "Cry for the Moon" it's a studio live version. "The Essence of Silence".. "Sancta Terra" retrospect live.
Epica, the dark side of the symphonic metal, if you like Nightwish and heavy then you need to dive more into them for sure, anything from Restrospect show in 2013 is fantastic
Epica-"cry for the moon" is a song about the bad things happening in church behind closed doors! Their retrospect show is awesomness! Try Epica-unleashed-official live retrospect Epica-design your universe, retrospect Epica-the Skeleton key Epica-rivers
Fantastic reaction, welcome to the Epica Army.....Something from The Netherlands, well metal is very good here. We are blessed with amazing female singers like, Simone Simons, Floor Jansen, Charlotte Wessels, Anneke van Giersbergen, Lisette van den Berg. And a lot of very good musicians. Design your universe (live with orchestra) and Kingdom of Heaven others well too much !
Epica - Kingdom of Heaven Live in Mexico, the fan made edit with lyrics. It's a piece of music on gargantuan, epic, ingenious scale, first part of a 54 minute epic stretching over several albums!
OMG! I had a smile on my face the entire time- you guys are adorable lol. It was like listening to Consign for the first time again. Epica is my favorite band :') glad you guys found them and hope you react to more! You should check out Essence of Silence, Design Your Universe and Omega from their newest record. Just released a few weeks ago!
More epica please! May i suggest my absolute favorite song "The essence of silence " or if you want to really see their range, I'd kill to see you watch the videos for Universal death squad and the acoustic version, Universal love squad.
the Universal Death Squad video is a piece of art, the song is so unique, an all round masterpiece: EPICA - Universal Death Squad (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
I have seen them 5 or 6 Times live they are just awesome live . I was 15 years old when i discover them it was the begining of my journey in symphonie métal . (Sorry english is not my first langage )
You'd probably enjoy MaYan, which is Mark Jansen (guitars/vocals) and Ariën van Weesenbeek (drums) from Epica's other... um... Epic band. They include Merel Bechtold (ex-Delain) on guitar and several vocalists including the amazing Marcela Bovio (Ayreon, Stream of Passion) and Laura Macri (an opera singer). This is a good live performance of a great song of theirs: th-cam.com/video/u5TQqUD74OE/w-d-xo.html
That was one of their heavier songs. They do all sorts of different levels. Check out Chasing the Dragon live to see some serious pipes from Simone. For a more musical sound, check out Design your Universe or Kingdom of Heaven. Or anything from their new album. Or anything they have ever been involved with really. Type Epica and click on everything lol. You cannot go wrong. They even do acoustic versions of songs in totally different styles.
If you want to see and hear an EPICA guitae solo watch Design your universe from the retrospective show. You will love it!!!! EPICA also has a stunning new song and video called The skeleton key. Super duper original and awsome.
Epica's newest album just dropped a little over a week ago, and it propelled them to my #1 spot. This band is absolutely incredible. Another fantastic song to react to is Abyss of Time, the first single from the new album, or their magnum opus, Kingdom of Heaven (a song that has had more parts over the years, and every part is ~13 minutes long)
Maybe a little bit late, but go check Rob's play along basslines.... he's absolutely top notch. Incredibly technical, though he's not into solo uplifting, but teamwork blending everything together.
you need to see them with the orchestra and backing choir like Sancta Terra and Design Your Universe 2 very great songs utilizing the Orchestra and choirs. Sancta Terra has the added bonus of also featuring Floor Jansen of Nightwish with Simone Simmons like 2 angels on stage. also check out Floor with Nightwish live at Wacken 2013 "Storytime" also "Ghost love Score"
My Top 5 Bands.... Nightwish, Sabaton, Epica, Lovebites, Jinjer... oh.. and Unleash the Archers...and Amaranthe.... and Babymetal.... and... Wintersun....and Northward... and....never mind.... there are too many.
Great reaction! seeing this video for the first time i was just as surprised as you guys haha and this is nothing you have seen this band is realy good! here a few suggestions EPICA Introspect Monopoly On Truth Retrospect 10th Anniversary DVD I TH-cam 1080p start of a show of 3 hours! Epica - The Essence Of Silence (OFFICIAL LIVE VIDEO) EPICA - Unleashed (OFFICIAL LIVE)
Great reaction and good you finally got there - I expect this will not be the last reaction to the band you'll do. Simone has compared Arien the drummer to a duracell rabbit, he never stops or breaks down. Coen, the keyboardist has 2 keyboards on tour, both wireless connected, the one on wheels you show and the spectacular full mobile REVO 1 curveboard (yes, it is curved). Just like Nightwish this band is just another rabbit hole to jump into. And, Yes, the whole Retrospect Concert is absolutely dope - do not cheat yourself (and us) for a reaction to Sancta Terra feat. Floor Jansen, and other songs of course.
Thanks so much. Definitely won't be our last reaction to this band. We've received quite a few recommendations of the songs that we need to do next and added it to our list 🙂🤘
Epica recently released their newest album called Omega (Very Good too!) If you planning on listening to more Epica, do not be mistaken, Epica is definitely in the forefront of the Symphonic Metal genre.
Check out another Dutch Band consisting of 3 sisters Amy, Lisa, and Shelley Vol called Og3ne (Oh Jean) They won The Voice of Holland season 5 in 2015 and were on Beste Zangers in 2017 Eurovision in 2017 and last year during lockdown they creating over a dozen home isolation videos including numerous Medleys Earth Wind and Fire, Three Degrees, Bee Gees, Disney Medley and covered Dolly Parton Jolene and Queens Bohemian Rhapsody Queen was so impressed they shared it on their Official Queen Instagram page.
Like your comments, espacially about the chemistry of the band. If you want to see more about this chemistry you should check out Kingdom of Heaven (live in Mexico) or the Essence of Silence (live in Brussels). Since you are into Nightwish for a while you will love Epica feat. Floor playing Sancta Terra from the Retrospect Concert
If we are going to do a band from every country, Epica can definitely represent the Netherlands :) Also Unleash the Archers for Canada, Nightwish for Finland, and.. well I think we can fill a lot of slots with great bands :)
Love your guys reactions. This was first song I've heard by them a while back, and they blew me away. One bone to pick with your channel. You've definitely hit the mark with the "Songs", but I'm still waiting to see some "Thongs" 🤣 Hope you can get back to Unleash The Archers soon. Abyss or Soulbound are awesome songs 🤘🇨🇦 As for a name for the competition - Cauldron of Fire: Survival of the Fittest
Thanks so much, and with regards to the "Thongs" part of the channel, haha, unfortunately TH-cam is a bit strict with what you can post but Sharlene has opened an OnlyFans page that you can follow at onlyfans.com/scmodel or you can follow her on Instagram @s.cmodel 🙂🙂 we will definitely be reacting to more of Unleash the Archers in the future as well. Thanks for the recommendations, we've add them to our list 🙂🤘
What a week, i just see you reacting Lovebites then Epica came out, hell yeah 🤘🏿 Please do more reacting of these great bands, also still waitinf the next Babymetal 🤘🏿🦊🤘🏿
I may have this confused with another Epica tour, but I believe that Simone Simmons was 3 months pregnant at this time. And by the end of their tour was showing... this band is very creative and their concerts may include a Live orchestra and choral ensemble.
Fun fact the male vocalist, Mark Jansen and Floor Jansen, no relation, used to be in a band together called After Forever. Also Floor and Simone are best friends and use to live together when they were much younger. Put this all together and you can see how the Metal scene in Europe is at time more like a big family then a competition between bands.
They used to live together?
@@nightwishisthegreatestband6355 That is what I heard that they shared an apartment in their younger days. That may be wrong but I heard it from a couple of places.
@@nightwishisthegreatestband6355 yep, they did
@@2727rogers Yes they did while classically trained. The most talented musical flat share of all time.
@@TheDoctorIWho This is an unconfirmed rumor that doesn't line up with the facts. Floor went to the Rock Academy for her post-secondary education, whereas Simone got private lessons while she was still in high school. Maybe they shared a hotel room a couple of times on tour, but the idea that they lived together is pure fanfic. On the other hand, if it makes you happy to believe it, I can't PROVE that they never shared a flat. Their friendship came to an end after Floor joined Nightwish, which gave me the impression that she was only being friends with Simone for business reasons, since Simone's band was so much more successful than her. Floor is a very savvy person who knows how to work people. She's able to work well with Tuomas, which is not exactly the easiest thing. Whatever the details are, I'm happy for her.
Glad you mentioned the Drummer. Arien van Weesenbeek, nickname 'The Beast', is an underappreciated drummer imo and deserves a lot of props.
One of the bests indeed
he plays so clean even in live and is always shocking listening to his recording. He is amazing in every aspect and seriously a lovely person and great musician who still learns new things and wants to get better.
@@MissieK +I met him at an Epica show once. It's such a contrast between the beast on stage and the unassuming, polite, shy even guy meeting the fans.
But Arien is so very much appreciated by ME!!!
The new video "Skeleton Key" is pretty awesome as well!!
Try Epica "Sancta Terra". Featuring Floor and a full orchestra and choir. Simone and Floor have been friends for years.
That song is a masterpiece imo
This Yes This!
@@MrErikbaan Many people recommend it because it features Floor, but "Consign to Oblivion" or "Kingdom of Heaven" are mindblowing.
@@cancelled_user I though it was a masterpiece, before that live version was released. You're right though, the other two are brilliant as well
Epica is just another facet in this genre of metal that is so fascinating. You might want to check our their new video 'Abyss of Time' and you might find interesting a 'chat' Floor Jansen just released with Simone Simons about women fronting bands like Epica and Nightwish.
That video just popped up on our feed.
@@SongsandThongs You need to do more Epica guys! You can't get a good picture of this band from 3-4 songs, let alone 1 song :) Epica is incredible!
I would say it's the only symphonic metal band that can match the grandeur of Nightwish and in some respects even surpass it.
The lead female soprano is Simone Simons, our metal princess :)
As you can probably tell, she is also classically trained. Her voice is angelic and ethereal, but she can also do some powerful belts. I've heard a vocal coach calling Simone the "queen of mixed voice" as she usually doesn't use just operatic soprano (head voice), but rather a mix of head voice + chest voice and she's doing it very well. You may have noticed she's also a gorgeous woman :) Check out her personal blog called Smoonstyle.
The growling guy and guitarist is Mark Jansen, the founder of the band. He's not related to Floor Jansen (now Nightwish), but they were in the same band called After Forever, before he founded Epica.
The keyboard guy is Coen Janssen. If you love him so much, google some pictures of him and his curved keyboard :)
I'd like to recommend a few more songs:
* Storm the Sorrow - th-cam.com/video/dNoTvg0t52c/w-d-xo.html - this song is denounced by some metalheads because it has "too mainstream sound" but I think it's beautiful. And the video is very cool! Please, read about the meaning of the song as explained by Simone herself here: www.smoonstyle.com/2012/05/stormed-sorrow.html
Also scroll down the page to see photos from shooting the video :)
* Universal Death Squad (official lyrics video) - th-cam.com/video/P_Ys_W7ySkM/w-d-xo.html
This one has some "Terminator themed lyrics" as you can probably tell :)
* Resign to Surrender (incl. prelude Samadhi) - th-cam.com/video/ed0IumD5UT8/w-d-xo.html
I think this is a brilliant music composition, absolutely stunning. And it's got some heavier parts too ;)
* Kingdom of Heaven - th-cam.com/video/hFlgT4dny4k/w-d-xo.html
Now this is a 13 minutes long masterpiece! When you're in a mood for something really epic (and heavier), do this one! You won't be disappointed.
Please, let me know if you'd like to hear some of their ballads too. I know you like heavier music so I'm not sure if you'd like to hear it, but I think those ballads best showcase Simone's wonderful soprano. Not to mention that it's simply an amazing music overall.
@@SongsandThongs Please, save all the links I posted above, or save the whole post in a text file, so you don't forget about it. It took some time and effort to write it, find and post all links, so please, don't ignore it. I really liked your reaction. I think you're going to love Epica :) When I discovered it for the first time, I knew immediately that this isn't like anything I've heard before (and I was already a Nightwish fan back then).
Hey Kyle, sorry for the delay in responding. Thanks for all the recommendations and for the links that you have shared. Appreciate your effort in this and it is always very helpful 🙂
We've added these recommendations to our list and will be sure to check it out soon.
PS: You are more than welcome to send a few ballads as well 😀😀
Stay safe and be blessed!
@@SongsandThongs Ballads?
Tides of Time: th-cam.com/video/sn765tJuaoE/w-d-xo.html
Rivers: th-cam.com/video/3rW7Vpep3II/w-d-xo.html
My top picks from Epica, and top picks for ballads overall as well!
The keyboardist - Coen Janssen (no relation to Mark Jansen on guitars or Floor Jansen), also does the orchestration and arrangement work for the band. Epica works with orchestras, and even Children's orchestra in the latest album. Coen deserves a heck of a lot of love.
YES!! Glad you've been introduced to Epica!! Now you can do "The Essence of Silence" live official video. Then "Universal death squad" for a non live one. Awesome reaction🤘🤘
Dig it. Thanks for the recommendations!
Always post links when recommending songs!
Reactors sometimes pick "wrong" versions. Most fans are so lazy... :P
Epica is an exceptional band. If you like this, prepare for one hell of a ride. They’re around since 2002, masterfully combine death, thrash, prog, goth and symphonic elements. Well known for ‘the beauty and the beast’ vocals, complex yet catchy compositions and their incredible live shows as well as their epic long masterpieces, moving ballads and all what’s in between. BTW - They’ve just released their 8th album.
Check out some more -
Epica - Design Your Universe live
Epica - Kingdom of Heaven
Epica - Chasing the Dragon live
Epica - The Skeleton Key
Epica is sooo HUGE! This song is from their 2nd album. They have Just released their 8th album "Omega" and IT SLAAAAAPS. Absolut Amazing album! ( Epica NEVER dissapoints, always exceeds expectations)
Next recommendation: Design Your Universe live Restrospect, The Essence of Silence live, The Devine Conspiracy live Retrospect.
Non-live songs: latests Singles are GREAT: Abyss of Time, The Skeleton Key.
To see Epica's death metal influences: Victims of Contingency, Universal Death Squad, Ascension Dream State Armageddon.
ENJOY!!
great ! you did Epica ! we must say: Epic - yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa ! This band is as phenomenal as Nightwish. we told you for several month ;).
you know what ? I was at this concert ! it was my birthday's gift of my friends (yes, I'm french). I'll remember this concert all my life !
More ? you should do: "Sancta terra - retrospect live", an incredible duet Simone/Floor ! try to imagine the queen Simone sining withthe goddess Floor :D ! From the same retrospect live, try "design your universe". AMAZING ! for this retrospect live, a complete symphonic orchestra is on stage. 3 hours of pure joy !
Epica! 🤟 😁. Simone, my favorite singer in the whole world. She is amazing. Want a huge contrast from this song, check out there newest ballade Epica - River. Want to se another Epic song from a mind blowing consert, sheck out Epica - design your univers (live retrospect). That's song 23/25 in a 3 houer consert 🤯. Love the band 🤟.
Oh, Simone is pregnant in that retrospect show to.
You are going to love Simone Simon a agile and talented mezzo-soprano vocalist. Simone adopted Tarja singing style after listening to Nightwish's album "Oceanborn" which remains her favorite Nightwish album; to classical/symphonic metal. Enjoy
Simone is a soprano, not a mezzo.
@@cancelled_user Thank you
@@cancelled_user Nowadays she is indeed a soprano, but in the beginning of the band, she was a mezzo (and you can hear her beautiful and rich timbre in the early songs)
@@nimedhel09 Is it actually possible to change your timbre? I'm not sure about that...
@@cancelled_user Your vocal chords change until you are 35 apparently, and pregnancy affects a lot of things in the body too. It is not possible to change your tessitura outside of biological factors, though.
But you can definitely hear the difference between 17yo Simone's voice and her voice now, singing the same songs. Her tone is airier and even lighter than before.
next!!! design your universe or kingdom of heaven
or epica with floor :) epica - sancta terra (live retrospect)
And now is the time for "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"
LIVE!!!
Another masterpiece of epica! A must listen.
Which one?🤣 there's like 3
@@MasterOZero Mexico
I adore Epica, they were my introduction to Symphonic Metal. This is the full on, unleashed heavy symphonic metal sound that I love, the superb complexity and variation between the orchestral and electric instruments, between the death growls and angelic voice. Whatever happy listen triggers I have in my brain, this band finds them and hits them.
Epica is the best symphonic metal band today. They sound really heavy and powerful supported by a great orchestra and choirs.
Best? No, but very good. Nightwish are the Gold Standard. Epica add a little Death Metal into the spice mix.
@@ChrisPage68 Oh please, Nightwish is barely metal anymore.
Yeah, this just sounds so BIG!
Especially with headphones it's mindblowing: th-cam.com/video/09e0jIYT5e4/w-d-xo.html
The heavy guitar riff, choir and Simone's wonderful soprano. That's heaven!
@@ChrisPage68 nightwish is too poppy lately lol. Epica sounds like a heavy metal band and they are symphonic metal.
Nightwish hasn't released anything decent since imaginaerum...
That's your opinion check out shoemaker and tell me that s not metal with chugging guitars and double bass drummng
Always fun to see someone enjoying experience Epica. You definitely have to watch Epica - ‘Sancta Terra’ as well. Expect to receive a lovely treat from them if you do. th-cam.com/video/cx22Yuj2nzg/w-d-xo.html
You’ll notice that most current symphonic metal musicians and vocalists are really close friends.
(BTW, happy World Womens Day)
Love your comment! Thanks! And happy World Womens day!
Same the other Duett on this Show "Stabat mater dolorosa" great Performance and very quiet Metalhead-Audience
Santa Terra is a must watch/listen!
some memorable Epica songs are Design Your Universe, The Essence of Silence, They have a new video out for their new album Omega for the song The Skeleton Key a must see. also another fun song is Chasing the dragon where they have 2 gals come out while they are performing and do performing on 2 curtains dropped from the ceiling also Cry for the moon one of the studio tracks featuring part orchestra and choir with them the best Full Orchestra and backing choir performance is Design your Universe.
Epica - Chasing the Dragon live Retrospect !!!
Arien van Weesenbeek is the drummer. Hitting things since he was 3, spoons and forks at first - ask his parents! Then he found his dad's drumkit!.... born to rock!.... Coen Janssen (no relation to Mark or Floor, double "S") on keyboards! AWESOME!
This song is a perfect example of why I love symphonic metal...have been a huge classical music fan since a kid and then got introduced to metal in 80s (Megadeth, Metallica, Priest, Maiden then Pantera) then these bands broke up, had less music (or music I didn’t care for) so was really discouraged for long time so just listened to these older songs on repeat. Low and behold the world of wonderful bands I was missing out on because of the suck fest of a US music industry 🤬🤬. Stumbled onto a Nightwish reaction video late one night on a YT rabbit hole journey and I’ve been addicted to this genre ever since. I love Simone’s voice combined with the heaviness of music plus the growls. The instrumentations are incredible and so much like many classical pieces I love ...just amplified and with Ibanez and Gibson and Korgs playing them instead of Violins/Cellos/harpsichords...but the cool part is in most of these bands you get that too. You’ll enjoy their repitoire. Great reaction again. 🤘
Welcome to the world of epica and the beautiful simone every track in the library is master class in symphonic metal
If you want to know how these guitarist are: check out "Presto" from the retrospect concert (the same one with Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater, where Isaac DelaHaye ( I believe) does a fast Vivaldi duet with the lead violin player of the classical orchestra, and NAIL's it effortlessly, like he is just having a walk in the park. (unbelievable)
How have I never heard of his band? HOLY HELL!!! I get a Phantom of the Opera on steroids vibe from these guys.
Epica "Sancta Terra" is a must. Also live (Live Retrospect show), also with Floor.
Excellent band. Saw them twice in Athens, Greece ( I missed them the first time that came with Kamelot!😩) and they were awesome both times. They are consistently good both in songwriting and their live performances. Simone of course always steals the show. She’s a metal queen in every way possible. She is also one of the Big Five female pioneers of the boom of the female fronted bands in Europe ( Liv Christine of Theater of Tragedy, Tarja Turunen of Nightwish, Simone Simons of Epica, Floor Jansen of After Forever/Nightwish, and of course Anneke from the Gathering), at a time when women in metal were practically counted almost on one hand. This song is always a fan favorite not only because it’s a great song but also because it encapsulates Epica as a band.
Awesome reaction and happy international women’s day to the women in your life!
Hello Nikos, you forgot one very obvious female fronted band that came around very early and was also very imprtant for the female fronted boom: Within Temptation with Sharon den Adel. There really is no way to not include her on any list of pioneers in this genre.
@@hansolo2121 you’re absolutely right! Sharon is amazing and Within Temptation a band of important musical and historical significance to the metal genre.
Epica just dropped new album Omega!! might be the best album they ever made, especially Kingdom of heaven part 3 is a journey in itself, grat songs on new album.. The retrospective show is a nice show to pick some live reactions from, as the band got a full symphony orchestra with them, as well as a choir.. Kingdom of heaven part 1, could be a good one, design your universe, or the essence of silence could also be good picks, what Epica also got is some beatiful ballads where Simone´s voice really shine, like Chasing the dragon or canvas of life, great reaction, im gonna subscribe your guys!!
Epica retrospect live show they perform with a live orchestra and choir. For three hours. Floor is a quest star on two songs and btw Simone was pregnant at the time! Best song imho Design your universe...
Thanx for a nice reaction to one of the best bands around !
Only our pleasure!
try kingdom of heaven #1 live it's really heavy song
Ooooh! We do like us some heaviness! Thanks!
🤔 And it has Epic guitar solo's in it!!!!! The Essence of silence is another Great song...
Absolutely, that song is amazing!!
This one:
Epica - Kingdom of Heaven (Live video) (Lyrics - English / Español | Subtitulado)
@@SongsandThongs Yeah? Then you might like "In All Conscience". The tempo is actually slower but it's got some nice heavy guitar riffs :) It's a bonus track from their album The Quantum Enigma.
And this video is an "aftermovie" from metal concert, many slow-mo shots, really epic :) th-cam.com/video/09e0jIYT5e4/w-d-xo.html
There's also an acoustic version of this song.
Glad you finally got to watch them......they are amazing !!!.....thank you !!!
I would highly recommand one of their accoustic version, not only it's a great contrast with the symphonic metal side but it's so well put together, specialy if you listen to the original and the accoustic back to back, great experience.
Epica knows how to run a fabulous show.
Consign to Oblivion was my introduction to them many years ago and they still don't stop to amaze me.
I have friends who volunteer for 70k and saw Epica last 70k and they loved it.
Hi Songs and Thongs, as you have just experienced, Epica are a phenomenal band,
check out the new video from their new album 'Omega':
EPICA - The Skeleton Key (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
those drums can start a nation revolution
I've seen Epica live four times so far. They really seem to enjoy themselves up on stage. They are also really nice people.
From the same concert:
EPICA - Dancing In A Hurricane - Live at the Zenith (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Yeah the word is Mind Blowing LOL
Please do more Epica, because they have tons of great compositions song and Mind Blowing. If you don’t mind i recommend
Desgin your universe - Live at retrospect (You should see they performance in this concert)
Kingdom of Heaven (They masterpiece) . Hope you would doing that.
Thank guys for great reaction 🤘🏿
Great reaction. Thanks for appreciating all the members of the band. You should not miss the choir and orchestra placed backstage. Many reactors think it's a pre-recorded track when they are not on stage. But the thing is they are always there. Please do react to "Cry for the Moon" it's a studio live version. "The Essence of Silence".. "Sancta Terra" retrospect live.
Do come back to this one every so often. Love your reaction to this one. Understandable of course 😂
Epica, the dark side of the symphonic metal, if you like Nightwish and heavy then you need to dive more into them for sure, anything from Restrospect show in 2013 is fantastic
Epica-"cry for the moon" is a song about the bad things happening in church behind closed doors!
Their retrospect show is awesomness!
Try
Epica-unleashed-official live retrospect
Epica-design your universe, retrospect
Epica-the Skeleton key
Epica-rivers
For sure
Fantastic reaction, welcome to the Epica Army.....Something from The Netherlands, well metal is very good here. We are blessed with amazing female singers like, Simone Simons, Floor Jansen, Charlotte Wessels, Anneke van Giersbergen, Lisette van den Berg. And a lot of very good musicians. Design your universe (live with orchestra) and Kingdom of Heaven others well too much !
For another epic performance try Epica ft. Floor Jansen playing Sancta Terra at the 10th anniversary concert "Retrospect". Pretty spectacular!
We get to relive our first time and you guys have a great experience! Win win!
Their new album is fire
Unleashed from retrospect show. Epica and Nightwish are the two monsters of symphonic metal, good friends too.
Epica - Kingdom of Heaven Live in Mexico, the fan made edit with lyrics. It's a piece of music on gargantuan, epic, ingenious scale, first part of a 54 minute epic stretching over several albums!
THIS IS AMAZING .
OMG! I had a smile on my face the entire time- you guys are adorable lol. It was like listening to Consign for the first time again. Epica is my favorite band :') glad you guys found them and hope you react to more! You should check out Essence of Silence, Design Your Universe and Omega from their newest record. Just released a few weeks ago!
Awww thanks so much 🙂🤘 We are definitely planning on reacting to more of their songs. Thanks for the recommendations 🤘🤘
More epica please! May i suggest my absolute favorite song "The essence of silence " or if you want to really see their range, I'd kill to see you watch the videos for Universal death squad and the acoustic version, Universal love squad.
the Universal Death Squad video is a piece of art, the song is so unique, an all round masterpiece:
EPICA - Universal Death Squad (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
Seen them 4 times u must see them in 22 they should be on a world tour WOW KICK ASS CONCERT LIVE
EPICA... hell yeah! Well, maybe you should do some more EPICA as you did enjoy this one so much ;)
That's the plan! 🙂🤘
First of all you've got the shirt on and yes Epica is a great band greetings from the Netherlands !!!
Amazing reaction 🤘🤘🤘
Thanks so much 🙂🤘
I loved the way the mosh pit started it fit very well with the music like it was a war movie....
I have seen them 5 or 6 Times live they are just awesome live . I was 15 years old when i discover them it was the begining of my journey in symphonie métal . (Sorry english is not my first langage )
That is so awesome, will love to see them live 🙂🤘
Your English is perfectly fine 🙂
You'd probably enjoy MaYan, which is Mark Jansen (guitars/vocals) and Ariën van Weesenbeek (drums) from Epica's other... um... Epic band. They include Merel Bechtold (ex-Delain) on guitar and several vocalists including the amazing Marcela Bovio (Ayreon, Stream of Passion) and Laura Macri (an opera singer). This is a good live performance of a great song of theirs: th-cam.com/video/u5TQqUD74OE/w-d-xo.html
That was one of their heavier songs. They do all sorts of different levels. Check out Chasing the Dragon live to see some serious pipes from Simone. For a more musical sound, check out Design your Universe or Kingdom of Heaven. Or anything from their new album. Or anything they have ever been involved with really. Type Epica and click on everything lol. You cannot go wrong. They even do acoustic versions of songs in totally different styles.
If you want to see and hear an EPICA guitae solo watch Design your universe from the retrospective show. You will love it!!!!
EPICA also has a stunning new song and video called The skeleton key. Super duper original and awsome.
Bands & metal battle!
EPICA IS BEAUTIFUL METAL you have about 25 more songs to check out
Yeeeeeaaa!!
EPICA!! 👍👏👏👏
Epica's newest album just dropped a little over a week ago, and it propelled them to my #1 spot. This band is absolutely incredible. Another fantastic song to react to is Abyss of Time, the first single from the new album, or their magnum opus, Kingdom of Heaven (a song that has had more parts over the years, and every part is ~13 minutes long)
Love your reaction. Suggestion for the world project: Global Bandemic ;)
Like it. 👍
Awesome idea!
Good choice!
Watching and hearing this band makes me proud to be Dutch 😉
most excellent video Songs and Thongs. I smashed that thumbs up on your video. Maintain up the wonderful work.
Thanks so so much 🙂🤘
Maybe a little bit late, but go check Rob's play along basslines.... he's absolutely top notch. Incredibly technical, though he's not into solo uplifting, but teamwork blending everything together.
you need to see them with the orchestra and backing choir like Sancta Terra and Design Your Universe 2 very great songs utilizing the Orchestra and choirs. Sancta Terra has the added bonus of also featuring Floor Jansen of Nightwish with Simone Simmons like 2 angels on stage. also check out Floor with Nightwish live at Wacken 2013 "Storytime" also "Ghost love Score"
My Top 5 Bands.... Nightwish, Sabaton, Epica, Lovebites, Jinjer... oh.. and Unleash the Archers...and Amaranthe.... and Babymetal.... and... Wintersun....and Northward... and....never mind.... there are too many.
Ha ha ha! Love this comment and the list!
I thought you guys did Epica before... Sancta Terra Retrospect is usually the go to for first time listening. It features Floor and it is indeed Epic.
every time dat song play give lots of 😮
Great reaction! seeing this video for the first time i was just as surprised as you guys haha and this is nothing you have seen this band is realy good! here a few suggestions
EPICA Introspect Monopoly On Truth Retrospect 10th Anniversary DVD I TH-cam 1080p start of a show of 3 hours!
Epica - The Essence Of Silence (OFFICIAL LIVE VIDEO)
EPICA - Unleashed (OFFICIAL LIVE)
"The essence of silence official live"
I have a feeling you will enjoy this one. I strongly recommend it as a fellow music lover.
If you liked this one you should check out their song Storm the Sorrow and nd the live version of Sancta Terra with Floor Jansen.
All i can say is epic heavy as hell you have fun you are cool people one of my favs to watch and your wife is pretty big fan
Well I do not know the new name contest is still going but heck stay with the theme "Band and Thongs" :)
Great reaction and good you finally got there - I expect this will not be the last reaction to the band you'll do. Simone has compared Arien the drummer to a duracell rabbit, he never stops or breaks down. Coen, the keyboardist has 2 keyboards on tour, both wireless connected, the one on wheels you show and the spectacular full mobile REVO 1 curveboard (yes, it is curved). Just like Nightwish this band is just another rabbit hole to jump into. And, Yes, the whole Retrospect Concert is absolutely dope - do not cheat yourself (and us) for a reaction to Sancta Terra feat. Floor Jansen, and other songs of course.
Thanks so much. Definitely won't be our last reaction to this band. We've received quite a few recommendations of the songs that we need to do next and added it to our list 🙂🤘
Epica recently released their newest album called Omega (Very Good too!)
If you planning on listening to more Epica, do not be mistaken, Epica is definitely in the forefront of the Symphonic Metal genre.
Strongly recommend you react to Unleashed, Kingdom of Heaven (Part 1), Victims of Contingency, Reverence (Living in the Heart), and Edge of the Blade
Great , thanks
Almost Epileptica with this light show.
Check out another Dutch Band consisting of 3 sisters Amy, Lisa, and Shelley Vol called Og3ne (Oh Jean) They won The Voice of Holland season 5 in 2015 and were on Beste Zangers in 2017 Eurovision in 2017 and last year during lockdown they creating over a dozen home isolation videos including numerous Medleys Earth Wind and Fire, Three Degrees, Bee Gees, Disney Medley and covered Dolly Parton Jolene and Queens Bohemian Rhapsody Queen was so impressed they shared it on their Official Queen Instagram page.
Thanks for this recommendation. Will add them to our list 🙂
@@SongsandThongs Og3ne Magic studio version is a great way to start for Og3ne
Like your comments, espacially about the chemistry of the band. If you want to see more about this chemistry you should check out Kingdom of Heaven (live in Mexico) or the Essence of Silence (live in Brussels).
Since you are into Nightwish for a while you will love Epica feat. Floor playing Sancta Terra from the Retrospect Concert
If we are going to do a band from every country, Epica can definitely represent the Netherlands :) Also Unleash the Archers for Canada, Nightwish for Finland, and.. well I think we can fill a lot of slots with great bands :)
Battle of Bands across Borders
Love your guys reactions. This was first song I've heard by them a while back, and they blew me away.
One bone to pick with your channel. You've definitely hit the mark with the "Songs", but I'm still waiting to see some "Thongs" 🤣
Hope you can get back to Unleash The Archers soon. Abyss or Soulbound are awesome songs 🤘🇨🇦
As for a name for the competition - Cauldron of Fire: Survival of the Fittest
Thanks so much, and with regards to the "Thongs" part of the channel, haha, unfortunately TH-cam is a bit strict with what you can post but Sharlene has opened an OnlyFans page that you can follow at onlyfans.com/scmodel or you can follow her on Instagram @s.cmodel 🙂🙂
we will definitely be reacting to more of Unleash the Archers in the future as well. Thanks for the recommendations, we've add them to our list 🙂🤘
Nioce reaction dudes ! so natural !!! another subscriber here.
Thanks so much, much appreciated 🙂🤘
You really really need to see the new video of EPUCA the skeleton key. Its awesome
so fun couple
nice reaction
🤘🤘
This is Symphonic Dutch metal 🇳🇱😇🤘
Isaac, the lead guitarist, plays a custom built 7 string Les Paul, which is crazy unusual.
You're gonna love Design Your Universe 😆 you're welcome
What a week, i just see you reacting Lovebites then Epica came out, hell yeah 🤘🏿 Please do more reacting of these great bands, also still waitinf the next Babymetal 🤘🏿🦊🤘🏿
Will definitely be checking out more of them. Regarding Babymetal, we are having difficulty uploading videos as it gets blocked by TH-cam
I may have this confused with another Epica tour, but I believe that Simone Simmons was 3 months pregnant at this time. And by the end of their tour was showing... this band is very creative and their concerts may include a Live orchestra and choral ensemble.
React to The Essence of Silence (official live)
Nice reaction, try more epica songs...They're marvelous !
Do love the Dingwall bass!