Omg when Once Upon a Nightmare was realised I listened to this like 30 times in a day for months!!!!! I went to gym, run at the street, went to work, college, etc, always listening this music a lot of times in a row, haha great react! I'm waiting you to react to "Tides of Time". Make me cry alwaaays! Actually everything of Epica touch in a specific part of my own history. Tides of Time helped to overcome the death of my father, Unleashed helped me to understand my depression, Dreamscape made me see things out of the darkness that I was passing through, In Love We Rust (Simone Simons' solo) helped with a difficult relationship, well... this band is the soundtrack of my whole life. Listening to this since 2002 (I was 7 years old) and this band keep making me have goose bumps
Man, I am so glad you listenend to both in a row. Also appreciate that this was shot in one go. I have a feeling that your love meter is still growing ;) Hope there is still some room. And to come back on your comment about Rivers beeing the centerpiece of this song was because this version is a capela. There are other versions with the band and even with Apocalyptica. Talking about Apocaliptica, they do a lot of collabs to. So you still have a lot to discover. EPICA is my favorite band, but I think that a lot of people can agree that they don't have bad songs. They all are masterpieces and often very different. That's what makes them so entertaining to listen to.
Hi kaNji! I was impressed by that choir. Their voices built perfect soundwall for Simones vocals. Finally a version that completely brings her to front line with her clear voice...and now someone told that she also adapted the lyrics from Göethes original text. Everything seemed so carefully planned and filmed with good taste. They kept that style through the performance. Very professional. Thank you for your reaction. For a moment you almost forgot you were recording your own video.....Kaisa😊
At the Omega concert Rivers was sung a cappella, Once upon a Nightmare has always been such a ballad, but here Coen and Isaac have shown why they are considered top musicians. The lyrics were written by Simone in reference to Goethe's poem Der Erlkönig (Alder King or Elf King). At the 20th anniversary concert many of the songs from the Omega concert were played in the same way as at the online concert, first Rivers with a choir, towards the end with a band and Once Upon with that piano/guitar intro. By the way you can find the anniversary concert on YT, not official from Epica but it is there, hope Epica will release it sometime.
So happy when i heard this version of Rivers the first time. Love when they do something different. This version is my favorite for the surprise moment and the visual art it gave me, the Apocalyptica version is the one on my playlist for normal listening. Now you have heard the Gravita part of the O.M.E.G.A. After Kingdom of Heaven Pt3, the Elysia part to. O.M and A left.
Rivers a capella is my favourite version of the song by far. As for Once Upon a Nightmare, the intro is different on the album, it's orchestral. It's also by far my favourite Epica ballad. The lyrics are inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem Erlkönig (the whole thing is easily found on Wiki, if you don't know it already and would like to read it). The disembodied male voice you can hear is actually quoting the poem directly. Fun fact? My favourite song from another artist is adapting the poem as well, but that song is much older. You can imagine how thrilled I was when Epica dropped my favourite album and I found this song there :)
It's not often that I see my own first reaction to a song (talking abt OUaN here) exactly mirrored by someone on YT. Not only the way you welcomed Simone's "fi-yyaaaah!", but also your reflections later on. When I heard that glorious belt at 12:07 it was the one thing I had been waiting for and wanting to hear from her all the time. Another standout moment for me is the interplay between lead guitar and vocals, where Isaac 13:38 cries out in advance, announcing Simone's outcry at 13:42 which marks the pinnacle of this masterfully built-up song. Rivers at AFAS live ft Apocalyptica is my fav one over the Omega A-live version. As a drummer boi, I feel like Simone should be slightly dragging the beat every now & then, not sing on it or even pushing it. The choir is pretty amazing though. Cheers! 🤘
Personally, I'm not a fan of a cappella, but I know that many people like and appreciate the band for their diversity. They made three different versions of "Rivers", and although I like the studio version and the version with Apocalyptica the most, the a cappella version is not bad, it just loses to the first two 😁 I didn't get enough fullness of sound in it. As for "once upon a nightmare", it's an absolute masterpiece among symphonic metal ballads, it's very atmospheric, in the original the orchestra sounds in the intro gradually increasing, which is also very cool to learn and the vocals in the studio version are more harmonious, but the omega alive version is also great and it's a very cool improvisation with a guitar and piano at the beginning.
Once Upon a Nightmare is that song I can’t wait for any new Epica fan to hear. It’s genuinely so gorgeous it moves me to tears-a pure masterclass in live performance and songwriting. And you’re absolutely right about Simone unleashing her power with the vocals. She has this amazing sort of quality to her voice where, to me, it feels as if it’s just *meant* to expand to fill the space. Some of my other favorite vocal performances from Simone include: In All Conscience (Omega Alive) - a surprisingly heavy song considering the topic Code of Life (Live at AFAS Live) Tides of Time The Obsessive Devotion - I love this official video version from Pol’and’Rock: th-cam.com/video/SE3xQgQX9FI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=1sNv7zfEhiijzzep This acoustic version of Dreamscape: th-cam.com/video/ZhYoIZOBBgU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=0KD5wNhGsWiUHjOi Can’t wait to see what you think of Kingdom of Heaven part 3! It’s definitely the pinnacle of the Omega Alive show (even tho personally I like part 1 better as a song) and there’s some amazing surprises!
Like others already said, the studio version of once upon a Nightmare has an orchestral intro using mostly strings. I like the studio version a lot because the earfy feeling of the song is stronger with the strings. However I think it is an excellent choice of Epica to have rearranged the song for this performnce replacing the orchester wth piano and guitar. When Epica performed the song in concerts in 2017, the band members would typically all leave the strange during the orchestral intro. Then Coen and Simone woul come back to do the first part of the song, and the other members would only join later during the more intense part of the song. The new arrangement avoids just playing music with an empty stage.
I don't know if you noticed, but the whole video Rivers + Once Upon a Nightmare is a continuous one shot by only one camera. Not a single cut of the view 🙂 Amazing performance on filming also, not only in the songs themselves!
you might find it fun to double reaction to one song, different versions, both has official videos EPICA - Abyss of Time (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) EPICA - Abyss O'Time (OFFICIAL ACOUSTIC VIDEO) just to see the difference
So next KoH 3 right, after that i suggest you go see, what might be consifered the biggest hit song on the newest album, The skeleton key. the omega alive version would work here, ,enen it also got a great official video, but yes still a lot to go for, some of the older stuff that is real good, and acoustic versions, the list goes on and on, where you could go next..
The studio version of Once Upon a Nightmare has the same intro but with the strings (orchestra) instead of the guitar/piano duet. Instrumentally, this is a simplified version of the song as it contains less orchestra overall. I actually prefer this version over the studio version for that reason, as the minimalist soundscape makes it more eerie and almost 'claustrophobic' if that makes sense...
As per your request, I'm reposting my comment from KoH II as a reminder: If you want something very different, but equally as great from Epica, try some of their Acoustic versions. They recorded some of their songs with acoustic instruments and some of them are a completely different arraingement borrowing musical elements from folk, gypsy music, jazz, and other styles. If you feel up to it, it would be amazing if you did a ,,double reaction'', where you listen to the original, and then to the acoustic version, as they are basically two completely different songs. For those, I'd suggest any of the following: Universal Death Squad / Universal Love Squad (acoustic) Dancing in a Hurricane / Dancing in a gypsy camp (acoustic) Omega - Sovereign of the Sun Spheres / Omegacoustic
I think that Simone’s voice is often a little low in the mix on the albums so, yes, live is where it’s at to hear the best of Simone. Rivers a Capella and Once Upon a Nightmare together is like a trip through a magical land, it’s stunning. Interesting point about the filming, for the ring of fire section, the cameraman had to have another guy tracking him to make sure he didn’t step into the flames. Looking forward to your reaction to Kingdom of Heaven part 3.
Now if you would have listened to the version of "Rivers" with Apocalyptica .. then it would have been perfect for my personal taste since those i 2 of my absolute favorites.
And that is what Simone does... make grown men cry.... like a siren... and we keep comming back for more...
Omg when Once Upon a Nightmare was realised I listened to this like 30 times in a day for months!!!!! I went to gym, run at the street, went to work, college, etc, always listening this music a lot of times in a row, haha great react! I'm waiting you to react to "Tides of Time". Make me cry alwaaays! Actually everything of Epica touch in a specific part of my own history. Tides of Time helped to overcome the death of my father, Unleashed helped me to understand my depression, Dreamscape made me see things out of the darkness that I was passing through, In Love We Rust (Simone Simons' solo) helped with a difficult relationship, well... this band is the soundtrack of my whole life. Listening to this since 2002 (I was 7 years old) and this band keep making me have goose bumps
Tides of Time is special to me also, I'm with you on that
it is so good..... that intro too pfffff
Just pure art - period. 10 out of 10.
Man, I am so glad you listenend to both in a row. Also appreciate that this was shot in one go.
I have a feeling that your love meter is still growing ;)
Hope there is still some room.
And to come back on your comment about Rivers beeing the centerpiece of this song was because this version is a capela. There are other versions with the band and even with Apocalyptica. Talking about Apocaliptica, they do a lot of collabs to. So you still have a lot to discover. EPICA is my favorite band, but I think that a lot of people can agree that they don't have bad songs. They all are masterpieces and often very different. That's what makes them so entertaining to listen to.
Hi kaNji! I was impressed by that choir. Their voices built perfect soundwall for Simones vocals. Finally a version that completely brings her to front line with her clear voice...and now someone told that she also adapted the lyrics from Göethes original text. Everything seemed so carefully planned and filmed with good taste. They kept that style through the performance. Very professional. Thank you for your reaction. For a moment you almost forgot you were recording your own video.....Kaisa😊
Wow! Amé tú reacción, sinceramente me encanta la voz de Simone porque es única! La admiro mucho! ❤
At the Omega concert Rivers was sung a cappella, Once upon a Nightmare has always been such a ballad, but here Coen and Isaac have shown why they are considered top musicians. The lyrics were written by Simone in reference to Goethe's poem Der Erlkönig (Alder King or Elf King). At the 20th anniversary concert many of the songs from the Omega concert were played in the same way as at the online concert, first Rivers with a choir, towards the end with a band and Once Upon with that piano/guitar intro. By the way you can find the anniversary concert on YT, not official from Epica but it is there, hope Epica will release it sometime.
So happy when i heard this version of Rivers the first time. Love when they do something different. This version is my favorite for the surprise moment and the visual art it gave me, the Apocalyptica version is the one on my playlist for normal listening.
Now you have heard the Gravita part of the O.M.E.G.A. After Kingdom of Heaven Pt3, the Elysia part to. O.M and A left.
my favourite band ever! 🤘😎🤘
once upon..... what a masterpiece, her voice gotten so good over the years
Rivers a capella is my favourite version of the song by far. As for Once Upon a Nightmare, the intro is different on the album, it's orchestral. It's also by far my favourite Epica ballad. The lyrics are inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem Erlkönig (the whole thing is easily found on Wiki, if you don't know it already and would like to read it). The disembodied male voice you can hear is actually quoting the poem directly. Fun fact? My favourite song from another artist is adapting the poem as well, but that song is much older. You can imagine how thrilled I was when Epica dropped my favourite album and I found this song there :)
It's not often that I see my own first reaction to a song (talking abt OUaN here) exactly mirrored by someone on YT. Not only the way you welcomed Simone's "fi-yyaaaah!", but also your reflections later on. When I heard that glorious belt at 12:07 it was the one thing I had been waiting for and wanting to hear from her all the time. Another standout moment for me is the interplay between lead guitar and vocals, where Isaac 13:38 cries out in advance, announcing Simone's outcry at 13:42 which marks the pinnacle of this masterfully built-up song.
Rivers at AFAS live ft Apocalyptica is my fav one over the Omega A-live version. As a drummer boi, I feel like Simone should be slightly dragging the beat every now & then, not sing on it or even pushing it. The choir is pretty amazing though. Cheers! 🤘
Have you seen K-Ross’s reaction to OUaN? It was his very first time hearing Epica and he was literally shocked speechless
@@RoseForEverafter "... ... I couldn't open the bottle" 😂
🤘💥
Personally, I'm not a fan of a cappella, but I know that many people like and appreciate the band for their diversity. They made three different versions of "Rivers", and although I like the studio version and the version with Apocalyptica the most, the a cappella version is not bad, it just loses to the first two 😁 I didn't get enough fullness of sound in it.
As for "once upon a nightmare", it's an absolute masterpiece among symphonic metal ballads, it's very atmospheric, in the original the orchestra sounds in the intro gradually increasing, which is also very cool to learn and the vocals in the studio version are more harmonious, but the omega alive version is also great and it's a very cool improvisation with a guitar and piano at the beginning.
Once Upon a Nightmare is that song I can’t wait for any new Epica fan to hear. It’s genuinely so gorgeous it moves me to tears-a pure masterclass in live performance and songwriting. And you’re absolutely right about Simone unleashing her power with the vocals. She has this amazing sort of quality to her voice where, to me, it feels as if it’s just *meant* to expand to fill the space.
Some of my other favorite vocal performances from Simone include:
In All Conscience (Omega Alive) - a surprisingly heavy song considering the topic
Code of Life (Live at AFAS Live)
Tides of Time
The Obsessive Devotion - I love this official video version from Pol’and’Rock: th-cam.com/video/SE3xQgQX9FI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=1sNv7zfEhiijzzep
This acoustic version of Dreamscape: th-cam.com/video/ZhYoIZOBBgU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=0KD5wNhGsWiUHjOi
Can’t wait to see what you think of Kingdom of Heaven part 3! It’s definitely the pinnacle of the Omega Alive show (even tho personally I like part 1 better as a song) and there’s some amazing surprises!
It's the song I trot out whenever someone says Metal is just angry and screaming.
No literally! This is the kind of song that changes your perception of what music can be
Like others already said, the studio version of once upon a Nightmare has an orchestral intro using mostly strings. I like the studio version a lot because the earfy feeling of the song is stronger with the strings. However I think it is an excellent choice of Epica to have rearranged the song for this performnce replacing the orchester wth piano and guitar. When Epica performed the song in concerts in 2017, the band members would typically all leave the strange during the orchestral intro. Then Coen and Simone woul come back to do the first part of the song, and the other members would only join later during the more intense part of the song. The new arrangement avoids just playing music with an empty stage.
I don't know if you noticed, but the whole video Rivers + Once Upon a Nightmare is a continuous one shot by only one camera. Not a single cut of the view 🙂 Amazing performance on filming also, not only in the songs themselves!
When it comes to Epica been hooked for the past 10 years and still they give me new beautiful artistic music epica is always fresh and uplifting
yuppp
you might find it fun to double reaction to one song, different versions, both has official videos
EPICA - Abyss of Time (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
EPICA - Abyss O'Time (OFFICIAL ACOUSTIC VIDEO)
just to see the difference
the second version is a pure happy christmas song 😁
So next KoH 3 right, after that i suggest you go see, what might be consifered the biggest hit song on the newest album, The skeleton key. the omega alive version would work here, ,enen it also got a great official video, but yes still a lot to go for, some of the older stuff that is real good, and acoustic versions, the list goes on and on, where you could go next..
Rivers is one of the best songs from the album. The best one is The Skeleton Key :P
The studio version of Once Upon a Nightmare has the same intro but with the strings (orchestra) instead of the guitar/piano duet. Instrumentally, this is a simplified version of the song as it contains less orchestra overall. I actually prefer this version over the studio version for that reason, as the minimalist soundscape makes it more eerie and almost 'claustrophobic' if that makes sense...
As per your request, I'm reposting my comment from KoH II as a reminder:
If you want something very different, but equally as great from Epica, try some of their Acoustic versions. They recorded some of their songs with acoustic instruments and some of them are a completely different arraingement borrowing musical elements from folk, gypsy music, jazz, and other styles. If you feel up to it, it would be amazing if you did a ,,double reaction'', where you listen to the original, and then to the acoustic version, as they are basically two completely different songs.
For those, I'd suggest any of the following:
Universal Death Squad / Universal Love Squad (acoustic)
Dancing in a Hurricane / Dancing in a gypsy camp (acoustic)
Omega - Sovereign of the Sun Spheres / Omegacoustic
“Code of life” - “El codico vital” 🔥 Latino version 🎉
“The cosmic algorithm” - “the funky algorithm” 🔥
@@wildhoney126 Yeah, I forgot those... Any of these five would do.
🤘🤘
So while the world feeds itself on Taylor, Ariana, Katy etc (fast food), it should dine on Simone, Floor, Sharon etc (Michelin 3 Stars).
sabaton epica nightwish are my top 3 bands but try some arch enemy, crypta , and some visions of atlantis
they prob either have all there own livelier mic (mixed in with some support mics) or its fake :)
I think that Simone’s voice is often a little low in the mix on the albums so, yes, live is where it’s at to hear the best of Simone.
Rivers a Capella and Once Upon a Nightmare together is like a trip through a magical land, it’s stunning.
Interesting point about the filming, for the ring of fire section, the cameraman had to have another guy tracking him to make sure he didn’t step into the flames.
Looking forward to your reaction to Kingdom of Heaven part 3.
Now if you would have listened to the version of "Rivers" with Apocalyptica .. then it would have been perfect for my personal taste since those i 2 of my absolute favorites.