Fun thing this song isn't even one of their heaviest. Epica is hands-down one of the most heavy symphonic metal bands, sometimes they're borderline death metal. Check more of them!
I can't think of anyone other band with a Tarja-esque lead vocalist that is this consistently heavy. Ex Libris maybe comes close, but I would classify them as progressive metal, not symphonic.
@@Sarcasticron tbh, I can only think about the usual suspects: After Forever and Mayan. Maybe some Trail of Tears albums too or the second Tristania album
Definitely! Amazing song and lots of guitars for your facts in the beginning... Especially the live "retrospect" 10 year anniversary show is amazing, almost any song of that is worth commenting on, best show I have seen.
@@JHX1 I have requested Chase to do the whole Retrospect show song by song, and I would do the same with Tank, probably not gonna happen since they would rather just go for the biggest sings directly, but I agree with you it's an amazing show worth watching entirely.
Fun fact, when they were studying music at university Floor and Simone were flatmates. The founder of Epica, Mark Jansen (no relation to Floor, though Floor has a sister Irene who works on Ayreon projects and is lead singer of the band Karma) formed the band After Forever in '95. In '97 Floor joined After Forever. In 2002 Mark left to form Epica with Simone. Floor stayed with After Forever to 2009 when the band broke up. Floor went on to form ReVamp which toured with Epica in 2010. Then Floor had some serious health issues and took over a year off to heal. When she was healed ReVamp went to work on a second album and it was nearly finished, but it was put on hold in October 2012 while Floor stepped in to sing with Nightwish to replace Anette Olzon who was fired in the middle of the Imaginaerum world tour (leading to the famous "Floor, can you learn the setlist in 48 hours before the next concert?" request from Tuomas). ReVamp finished their second album after the Nightwish tour was completed, but it was disbanded a year later in October 2013 when it was announced that Floor was joining Nightwish as a permanent member. And thus ends our history lesson of the small highly interconnected world of Euro gothic and symphonic metal.
You mention, "It looks like they're having fun!" I saw them (with Sabaton) in Atlanta this week, and that was part of what blew me away that you don't get from this video - it was evident from their showmanship and goofing around with each other on stage that they were having a blast and enjoy playing together! Just constant little interactions with the other band mates. That stage presence and feeling like the band actually enjoys playing together really adds to the feel of the show. And as you mention at the end - Epica and Sabaton totally should be playing on a bigger stage, but it's also fun to have a more intimate stage!
When I watched their 20th anniversary livestream with my girlfriend, who had played a lot of small gigs with a small-town band when she was younger, she commented that Epica seems to have an unusually loving relationship with their fans. This made me think about how the 20th anniversary show was almost the opposite of Retrospect; it was very laid-back and casual. Kinda had the vibe of the band having an anniversary party with their friends, where they also played songs. I remember some dude in a comment complaining that Simone was "low-energy," and I think this was because, after 20 years of success, and some fans at the show who've been with them for 20 years, and were at their very first gig, the band felt like they were among friends, and didn't have anything to prove. To me it felt genuine, even intimate. Simone was "performing" during the songs, but talking in between them, she was just being herself.
@@Neocoolzero If it's about the two of them showing off their skills together, Stabat Mater is a better choice. But why does Epic have to be tied to Floor? They stand on their own just fine. If he wants to see them together down the line, that's fine. But let him get a good understanding of what Epica is truly capable of on their own, first. KoH, DYU, Fools of Damnation, Once Upon a Nightmare, Facade of Reality, Serenade of Self Destruction etc are all much better examples of what Epica is, rather than Sancta Terra which is a middle of the road Epica song.
Was just listening to EPICA awesome band. You would love the kingdoms of heaven part 1 and 2 although it would be like a 40 minute reaction but well worth it Also congrats on 17k well deserved
You know it's going to be epic when his hat's gone off. Fun fact: Coen the keyboardist actually plays the first few notes of La Marseillaise (the national anthem of France) at around almost 5-minute mark of the video. C'est magnifique!
@TankTheTech When I first saw this live video, that bit was kinda odd to me because it wasn’t featured in the studio version, yet sounds familiar. How cool of them to pay homage to 🇫🇷 and their fans there.
Simone was pregnant there and Floor stole the show, doesn't do justice to Epica. I'd rather see Tank does Sancta Terra live at Summerbreeze 2017 because Simone was killing it there solo and Tank can see the gear they're using very clearly, especially Coen's curving keyboard.
@@patrickshelley09 I'm so sick and tired of these people trying to push Nightwish and Floor over everything... Not sure if they realise how annoying they sound, like no other band matter unless Goddess Floor graces them with her presence. Barely any of them would ever recommend Epica if they hadn't featured Floor. Just look at the other reaction videos from any channel really, only Sancta Terra requests and then they're back to more Nightwish recommendations. They don't care about Epica, it's just a fancy Floor backup band with an orchestra to them. I stopped listening to Nightwish a while ago already, but these people really don't make me want to go back to the band. Nothing against Nightwish or Floor personally, just the overly obsessed "fans" 's repulsive and irritating behaviour.
@@Nitlda Completely agree, that's why I made my comment. I do still listen to NW and think Floor is amazing. But you never heard anyone recommend Sancta Terra as one of Epica's top songs before the Floor duet. And there's good reason for that. It's not even in the top half of their songs. Regarding NW, I think their last two albums have been their weakest since Angels Fall First. Not that it's all bad, but for the most part it's mediocre at best, by their standards.
Haha... Judging by your expression on this preview, these guys exceeded your expectations:) Now that you understand what to expect from this band, I hope Epica will be a regular on your channel. I had a privilege to listen to their music since the very first album and attended their shows twice. I will not make any suggestions because you can't go wrong with anything by this EPIC(a) band.
I love how Epica mix really heavy sounds that border on death metal with the symphonic sound and the operatic style, then add orchestral styles and choirs to the mix. At times they have a very cinematic sound too, absolutely amazing. 🤘🏻🙂
No one does symphonic like Epica. Not to say they are better than anyone else or vice versa, but they're completely different from other bands in the genre. Genuinely nice people too, I live in a tiny country in Europe and they had a gig here in 2004 barely 6 months after they released their first album or something, 200 ish people attended, small club, they hung out with pretty much anyone that wanted to just chill after the show. Few months later they come to a spot where some friends and myself knew the owners so we were there early - band was still super approachable and down to earth, talked a bunch and showed them around a bit, ever since then they whitelist all 5 of us for backstage and hook us up with tickets no matter how big the show is or where in the country it is. Fast forward to 2012, they played a 20000 person venue. 2016, headlining one of our biggest festivals alongside Kreator and Carcass. They deserve all the success they see, anywhere they see it. Hopefully the same trend we had here (and in Europe in general) continues on in the US. Props to you for recognising that, great video!
It's so fun to watch all these reactors who have been spoon fed Nightwish and Within Temptation and maybe even Sancta Terra get run over by the Epica train. Not that NW or WT is bad at all, but Epica truly brings THE HEAVY like no other.
I agree about these groups needing to be playing in large arenas in the US. I have seen Nightwish with Kamelot and Nightwih with Delain (should check them out) at the Diamond Ballroom in Oklahoma City - Nothing like watching an Epic Symphonic Metal Band in a dinky venue with portraits of Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn on the walls - There's culture shock for you.
I got to see Epica a few years ago, and even though their shows here in the states are mostly smaller venues, the energy is still through the roof, just like with Nightwish. I'm loving the background that you and Chase are giving to the bands, the music, and the stage setups. You two are just awesome.
This band is one of my original Big 3: Nightwish, Epica, and Kamelot. They're so god damn good. Epica should most definitely be in am Arena. They need to have Epica and Nightwish play at Red Rocks here in Denver.
Watching this reaction again- so good, hope you really enjoyed your Epica/Sabaton show!!! I really had a great time in TX and got my pic with Mark Jansen as he happened to walk through crown after the Epica setlist!!!
Is nice to see more people reacting that appreciate the music and musicians, and don't just make shock or OMG Floor videos. You, Chase, Elizabeth @ The Charismatic Voice etc are the best ones to watch hands down.
Fun fact from myself: I got known to Epica in the same day that I saw Nightwish live for the first time. Epica was the opening act, then played Amorphis and Nightwish had the main event.
Such a funny coincidence!! I had the same experience! It was March 5th 2008 in Budapest! My first ever Nightwish concert. After the concert there were some people handing out flyers promoting the new Epica album and I gave it a shot. The rest is history, I am a total fan for 14 years now!
@@Sarcasticron even funnier I wasn't sold at that experience coz I was not a fan of growls back then in 2008. Two years later I saw Design Your Universe in the shop and I had the change to listen to it first before purhasingI gave it the shot and bought it. It took a bit to grt used to the growls but at this day it is one my favorites bu Epica 😁
I know this video is quite old, but when this tour was happening, this show was on the forefront of Lighting tech as well. You can see a couple of Pyramid like structures on stage which kind of look like deco since they aren't used during this song. But they're actually laser-units by MinuitUne. They are full RGB lasers which refractiong hoods that channel the light rather than using oscillating mirrors like traditional laser units. The effects of these things are quite crazy looking when used in large scales. On top of that, this was one of the first tours to bring along ClayPaky A.leda BEye fixtures. They're wash-light moving-heads, but they have refractive lenses over every single LED. Which apart from zooming can actually also rotate individually per single lens. The K20 model used here, when used to their fullest extent, can only be used in groups of 4 per DMX universe before running out of channels. Where usually running anywhere between 20 and 200 fixtures per universe is quite normal.
Another great reaction, Enjoyed it while having dinner. ps: Your Aryeon reaction was really top notch, Seeing someone put in the work to research..... well done.
Your face, the first few notes of the song :D ...just Priceless!! Yes...they can be heavy like that. Their concerts are sooo great. I've been several times, never been disappointed! Heavy yet refined at the same time. Great lyrics and arragements too. Together with Nightwish, they are my favourite bands in this genre. Thanks for your reaction!
Epica is my favorite band and they are the most successful Dutch metal band in the world today. They are working on their 8th studio album right now. This song is the title track from their second album, released in 2005. Every Epica album has a title track and they are usually the most complex and lengthy songs on the album, with each being at least 10 minutes long. I recommend "Victims of Contingency", "Storm the Sorrow", "Universal Death Squad", and "Edge of the Blade". Thanks for checking them out, Tank!
I saw them do this song, right down to the wall of death a few years back. It was the perfect storm, New York City at the Playstation Theater, on the last night of their North American Tour, they even had a few techs on stage moshing.
I loved Chase's reaction to this one... So great that yours is just a day later. This definitely is one band to discover more of. Good luck, but most importantly, have fun on your EPICAL journey man!
I saw them open for Sabaton a few weeks ago at a large-ish club. I had never heard of them before that night but I was quite impressed with their set. Would definitely see them again if they play within an hour of me.
Epica is the real deal live. They even pull off festivals in the day with no setup time. Seen them in Vegas with 150 people and festivals with 80 thousand, they pull it off the same. They are more of band than Nightwish, Four song writers. Where Nightwish is one person’s vision.
Fun fact: the band name was inspired by a Kamelot album. Simone has sung with Kamelot (check out The Haunting with their first vocalist), and is married to Oliver Palotai, the keyboardist. I highly recommend Kamelot as a band, lots of great songs, and 2 'eras' - with Roy Khan as the vocalist and Tommy Karevik (who is featured on Ayreon material). Keeping with the Ayreon connection, I'd recommend Oceans of Slumber, the singer Cammie plays the lead female role in the upcoming Ayreon project Transitus (opposite Tommy from Kamelot). Have a listen to The Banished Heart, it's also highly recommended by a certain Mr Arjen Luccassen
Mark Jansen was in Floor Jansen’s first band I believe. He’s no relation to her. Floor and Simone are friends and Floor joined them for a live performance. Epica- Sancta Terra (feat Floor Jansen) Live Retrospect show. You should check it out. Awesome.
The folks in this band are some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet. I fell in love with this band in the late 90's (before my Nightwish love) and with family in the Netherlands was lucky enough to travel over and see them do a small gig near the hometown of several of their members. Several of them mingled with crowd, including me, was great. Also at that gig in the crowd was a tall, stunning and friendly woman, then I think After Forever singer, Floor Jansen, and she is more amazing in person, which seems to defy logic.
Epica was formed in 2002, so you couldn't have seen them in the late 90s. Bet it was nice meeting Floor, though. She says she turns into a different person on stage, which I believe because the normal version seems quite self-effacing, like she’s trying to make up for her intimidating height by being almost meek. It's nice that Mark doesn't hold a grudge for the way she and Sander kicked him out of After Forever right before they were about to go on tour with Nightwish. I guess the fact that Epica became way more successful than After Forever took some of the sting out.
Consign to Oblivion is one of their oldest songs, released on their second album of the same name 15 years ago. If you want to hear the most bomb ass Epica songs, go straight for the title tracks. But they ALWAYS play this song at the end of their set. ALWAYS, as far as I know. It's interesting to go back and listen to the original studio version before they got THE HEAVY and really shows how a single song can evolve with the band over time. In '10 in Cleveland I basically sat on the stage in a dirty club (I mean, no doors on the toilet stalls; you walk in the bathroom and there is some guy taking a shit) along with maybe like 500 people... it's like you said, truly great musicians and music (even bands FROM America like Dream Theater, Symphony X, and Kamelot) are relatively unknown here, but we all know America has a culture problem. Anyway, because I was so close and was clearly a fan, Isaac bent over and let me hold down some frets while he played the slow parts at "LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW". It's a great music memory of mine I'll cherish forever. He also started the first College of Metal and is just in general a great guy. Got a picture of me between him and Mark doing devil horns \m/ and a signed Design Your Universe poster on my wall. Mark told me about Mayan before there was any real news about it. This band has just been with me nearly every step of my underground musical journey. I really hated growls at first but between this band and Opeth I was forced to learn to love them because how in the fuck are you not going to listen to these guys?
Thank you so much for that information about her reaching the device near her hip to adjust the volume. I thought it was because the device was installed on her back and it fell when she jumped and headbanged. Above all, thank you for all other information from stage design, pyro etc..to types of guitar and the companies.
I think the founder of Epica (the growling guitarist) was also founder of After Forever. First band of... Floor Jansen, who of course had a great guest performance with Epica. Contrary to another vid I commented on, the growling fits better here. Good reaction.
Hi, as to your comment about the venue size comparison from US to Europe, I saw Epica and Kamelot together in a very mid sized club in St. Paul, Minnesota, nothing very big. This was at least ten years ago so they were not as well known as they are now, but still... Amazingly they got the sound balanced just perfectly for the orchestral parts AND the guitar and rock band parts to be equally clear, it was one of the best shows I've ever seen, and I'm a middle aged geezer who has seen plenty.
The library of kit knowledge in your brain is what I come here for (that and the good-dude vibes). Such a unique take on the reaction genre and always informative. Great vid.
Your tank facts where interesting as always and gave me a chuckle with the "I was headbanging so much that I missed a..." What you said at the end is something that I have noticed. All these great bands seem to play smaller venues here in the States. I found that rather socking when I first noticed it. Well, looking forward to the next reaction Tank, peace out.
I'm discovering Epica after fully exploring NW and been enjoying the fact that they are so different being from the same "symphonic metal" background. Simone of course was inspired by Tarja so early NWs is more similar, but still Epica is unique with the male growls by Mark and overall "darkness" in their music. I would suggest you to do the whole Retrospect live DVD which is a celebration show for their 10 years, with a full live orchestra, 3-hours setlist. Since of course that would take a lot of single videos you probably just want the highlights, in that case Design Your Universe or Cry for the Moon would be my choices. There's also another popular request from that DVD which you probably already heard of, a certain song with a certain guest vocalist from a certain band I've already mentioned in this comment. That's also a great song, the vocal duet is delicious.
What an awesome show. From my photographers point of view I would have loved to shoot this show from FoH with a long lens for some special moments on stage (the keyboarder screaming, Simone with nice lights, ...). But even more a wide angle lens to catch this incredible light setups and pyro effects would have been a concert photographers dream.
After several of your videos, I watch them not only for the reactions, but also for your background stuff, where you are very knowledgeable - thanks, Tank!
"Abyss of Time" and "The Skeleton Key" from Epica's most recent album "Omega" are incredible. Actually the whole album is incredible. It's a masterpiece.
I would leave Sancta Terra for a bit, great though it is. For more power and epic(yes, really) do kingdom of heaven. Design Your Universe is awesome as well. For a masterclass in vocals try Chasing the Dragon and if you want to cry do Tides of Time or Once upon a Nightmare. They have it all. If you do Sancta Terra follow it up with Stabat Matar Dolorosa from the same show, because that is beyond comprehension
To the list of awesome bands you need to hear Amaranthe, for me they are in a line with Nightwish and Epica. And they have made a cover of a sabaton song which is epic
Drummer (Ariën van Weesenbeek) and lead guitar Isaac Delahaye were members of death metal band God Dethroned before forming Epica, both played also in MaYaN (Epicas sister band) and they often tour together, means 2 gigs in one evening, Isaaq quited MaYaN in 2014 but Arien is still in both bands. Also founder of Epica and MaYaN, Mark Jansen, has roots in death metal and it is visible in both bands, bit less in Epica and way more in MaYAN (symphonic death metal, like Fleshgod Appocalypse aso). Coen Jansen is the funny guy on keyboard, he makes orchestrations together with producer Joost van den Broek (the guy who played synth in Ayreon videos), keyboard stand is on small tracks to give him controlled movement ~5m, on some shows he uses NUmotion mobile keyboard to crowdsurf
And just to add to that, Mark Jansen was in Floor's first band, After Forever, and Joost van der Broek, the synth guy from Aryeon, was also in After Forever from '04 to '09 (when they disbanded), but I think that was after Mark had already left the band to found what would become Epica.
Can't thank your channel enough for introducing me to this band. Definitely checking more of them out. Thinking you'll have a very similar reaction to Dimmu Borgir-Gateways live.
Funny how Rob van der Loo and his replacement in Delain, Otto Schimmelpennick both now play Dingwall bassses. Otto saying he bought a Dingwall second hand while touring Canada, before getting getting them to build him a custom bass. With you loving the symphonic metal of Epica and Nightwish - check out Delain and Within Temptation.
Simone and Floor lived together a long time ago. They had some youtube videos cooking, playing piano, singing and basically being girls. Mark Jansen from Epica also was the growl vocalist guitar player in After Forever, the first band Floor sang for.
Storm the Sorrow, that's my jam. Oh, and Design your Universe...plus Sancta Terra with Simone's friend...what's her name...Floor Jansen! (Best Hair Video Ever)
Hi Tank, thanks for a great video! This video popped up when I was watching an other RU-vidr's reaction to this performance. I like your perspective on things, meaning the technical perspective. Brings something different to the table than other reactors I've seen so far. Now, about this band, I've been fortunate enough to watch them live a couple of times, and at some point I noticed something. You might have missed it through all the headbanging, but that keyboard not only turns around on a stand, the stand itself actually moves too. It's on a set of rails going all around that raised stage around the drummer (sorry for my lack of the right technical terms here). That keyboard player has so much energy, it's crazy. If you're going to watch more live performances of Epica, you'll see what I mean. Pushing his gear around like he's on a skateboard.... I mean, from a technical point of view, what's with all the cables then? Probably some wireless transmitters or something, like the microphones.... ? Anyways, I'll be sure to check your other videos out. Take care!
Like your constant smile Tank. I had to listen several times and now this hits me every time. Another great Dutch band in the metal scene. great reaction too! Some more Tank. I have no hair left, but I'm headbanging like you. This is EPIC indeed! Update Tank: Gonna be there in Tilburg september 2022. Just can't wait!
I've had the honor and pleasure of seeing this guys live twice, one of those with a vip ticket wich gave me the chance of getting to know them, they're all awesome, and Simone in person.....Jesus Christ O.O I'm pretty sure you've been sugested to react to a song of Epica with Floor, get to it, Sancta Terra with Floor Jansen from the Retrospect show. These girls sound amazing together (the fact that they know each other and are great friends for years surely helps) The Essence of Silence oficial live video is pretty awesome aswell, probably my favorite music of them.
@@nuguanugua5380 And Amanda did sing as backing vocalist in Epica and also replaced Simone in the American tour when she was sick. But in result, if you check Ayreon, MaYan, After Forever, ReVamp, Delain and others, you will keep seeing the same names or recognise the faces in the clips. I did see one of Anneke van Giersbergen her live radio performances and it seemed she had almost all of Ayreon their musicians and also Amanda and Lisette there!
Zestful Zeitgeist whats wrong about givning a great singer credit. Floor did teach Simone before she was in Epica. Thats not a lie, thats just fact. Why so angry
I´ve seen this reaction, and other reactors, for tenths of times, but no one reacts to Coen going mad running through the stage from back and forth while his keyboard goes on the rails. It´s crazy awesome!!
I am glad you are liking Epica. My favorite song from them might be Universal Death Squad which has a nice video even showing their gear well. And who does not want to hear a song about apocalyptic robots?
The entire “Retrospect” performance it’s just epic for all that happens in there, my favorite on that show is “Serenade of Self-Destruction”, I hope you could make a reaction. 🤘🏻
Dude, question, which frikken genius mastermind decided one day, that what metal music needed was orchestras, choirs and bells and whistles and frikken operatic voices? There has to be a Nobel Prize for that individual 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
I listened to Epica's most recent album "Omega" yesterday, and I absolutely love every song. It's a masterpiece. I am a Farley new fan of Epica, and having listened to their newest album I wish I had heard of this band years ago. As their name states they are epic.
![ROADIE REACTIONS | "Epica - Consign to Oblivion (Live)" | [FIRST TIME EVER LISTENING]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
