2/3 Aaron Good is a trombonist and a theory teacher reacting to Epica's "Introspect & Monopoly On Truth" from the Live 10th anniversary concert. You can find Aaron on his youtube channel: ru-vid.com
Epica is an amazing band, arguably the best Symphonic Metal group in the world. Yet, IMO this song is not one of their best so I wouldn’t choose it as an introduction. Try these from the same concert - Epica - Unleashed Epica - Design Your Universe Epica - Serenade of Self- Destruction
Epica is one of the most popular Symphonic metal bands, but for me is far from "the best". My main problem with Epica is Mark's growls. The fact in the matter is that he's a pretty weak growler, one of the weakest in the business to be honest. They lost a big opportunity in 2012 when they changed bassist, they could have gotten a bassist who was also a good false fold screamer, but they didnt.
This band uses orchestra and choir on all their albums, it is one of Epica's trademarks. As for the live shows, going around the world on tour with a complete orchestra and choir is a logistic nightmare (and quite expensive) But at this anniversary show, recorded also on dvd they wanted orchestra and choir to be live on stage this time. And it is amazing..nice to see professional musicians playing in an orchestra react to this band. I notice there are three reactors in this account, great!! I hope the three of you do some more Epica. As for live video's this restrospect show ( from 2013) is the only show with orchestra an choir. The show lasted almost 3 hours so enough songs to choose from.😁
This thing is called retrospect because it looks back on the past 10 years. At first there wasn't much money, so an orchestra would not be an available resource or fairly limited in how much of it they could have. So this orchestra is there to strengthen the pieces and create a bigger atmosphere, but I think some of the songs were simply written without space for both an orchestra and still keeping the initial thing standing. That's just my take on it anyway. I too would have loved more orchestral integration. Was interesting to get the take on a song from someone orchestral, so thank you!
Yeah, this show is special in the sense they finally had money to include a live orchestra. I would also love more integration with the orchestra and the band, but naturally some songs are better for this than others. The band also got better at balancing this act over the years. They have been interesting to follow for sure.
Reaction to 001B: more songs, more space for the orchestra & choir, even some instrumentals only. So looking forward to watch you react to a few more of this concert 😉
@@AaronGoodTastyJams Check out "Sancta Terra" from this concert - it features Simone Simons' friend and frequent collaborator Floor Jansen, lead vocalist with symphonic metal band Nightwish. The combination of their voices is as close to heaven as you can possibly get. 🤘
I love his reaction to this! He seems to be a cool guy. I know Epica can be a lot to take, because they really work on adding layers and mixing different styles, they're not a safe a band like Nightwish. I want to see more of this lol
Don't look at the trombones. It only encourages them. Epica has their own string octet, so that is probably why the strings are more interesting than the brass
nice reaction man, thats why is called symphony metal.. the main is metal, symphony just as additional 😁😅. so next, u can watch dimmu borgir band, their bring full orchestra n qoir on the stage too..
One thing, at least the audience isn't just sitting there like bumps on a log like in pure classical concerts. Husbands falling asleep and their wives getting ready to complain to the Symphony Board that the first cellist showed too much leg. Speaking of trombone... do you know the musical term for when four trombones try to play the same unison note? Dissonance 🤣
In the sound and mix there was perfect harmony between the orchestra and the band. With other concerts i watched and hear. The band is most of the time really overruling the orchestra. In this case...just perfect!
If you want to hear more instruments tou need to see ALL the show, It have three hours e every single song show better one different sound, If you prefer to listen more trombones you should try divine conspiracy or retrospect 🤷
I propose you check out the Black Symphony live album/dvd by Within Temptation and choose some songs from there =P I like what you're doing a lot, thanks for the content
Well dude..lol, i totally do not agree with you, Epica brings it up there, to have a ochestra and a choir, is a dream for most bands i belive, but its not their show, its Epica, and they deliver it, thats my opinion on that, now i am a Epica fan, and you might not be into Symfonic metal, and can epriciate when Mark growls, like i can, Mark is the best growler in the world to me, because when he growl it got a meaning, and he is good at it, Simone got a classical voice, and i think she shines to, so i dont agree on Epica not nailing this one dude..lol
Monopoly on Truth is really not the best song to judge Epica by. Consign to Oblivion, The Divine Conspiracy, Chasing the Dragon, The Phantom Agony, and Cry for the Moon are better in hearing both band and orchestra.
It is clear you are more classical oriented, but this is symphonic metal, so you got to here the metal as the band kicks in. And yes, you lose some of the symphonic music, although I think that was still audible enough. That said, I am not a huge fan of the growling.
I will never understand the appeal of growling. I would understand if it was used only once as an effect, or statement, or just to have a good laugh. But to use it as an integral part of the music? Nah... Many people seem to absolutely love it and I’m happy for them, because if it wasn’t for the growling, I could probably grow into the music and completely dig it. I really, really, really, really tried and I listened to Epica lots of times and I love the music, but my brain just cannot concede growling as a pleasing form of music. It’s like recording the sound of a fart and use it in a composition. I’m sure I would find this extremely funny and I would love to see a composer using the idea for a ‘serious’ piece of music. ONCE. I think most people would agree that you wouldn’t want to use fart sounds in almost every song. Now this may seem a little too far stretched as a fair comparison, but believe me, this is exactly the way I feel about growling. 🤷🏻♂️
