WHICH PILL WILL YOU CHOOSE? Epica - Beyond the Matrix  

EPICA's lyrics are overwhelmingly positive, even with very challenging topics, the lyrics are about overcoming the thing rather than the thing itself, I don't know how they do it? English is not their first language and yet they can write such incredible poetry in English, so talented 🙃

Epica's entire discography is incredible. So much thought in every song, regarding lyrics, musicality, etc. Simone has always been the lead singer, to my knowledge.

Hi Rosalie, here is a brand new live video from EPICA in concert in Amsterdam earlier this year, this is an older song but a fan favorite, it has a very triumphant uplifting sound, only Simone singing on this one EPICA - Unleashed (Live At The AFAS Live)

Well, as a psychologist you have a lot of homework with EPICA because their lyrics are about self- knowledge, self-acceptance, scepticism about religion or issues that we're dealing with nowadays, inner thoughts in general, with a very interesting touch of other than psychology science (maths, physics, AI). Beautiful reaction, greetings from Greece! And an humble suggestion...their ballads are astonishing (Tides of time, Rivers, Solitary ground, Twin flames, Once upon a nightmare, Feint and Memory a cover from theatrical play "Cats", etc.)

Simone's voice is just stunning. Simone, Floor, Tarja, Sharon den Adel from Within Temptation to name just a few, belong to the pantheon of symphonic metal. Each one is a goddess, in their own way. PS: seeing Simone's long, red hair swinging and flying everywhere like vivid flames is just... Breathtaking

Mark Jansen started the band in 2002. When he was first putting the band together, he asked his then girlfriend, Simone, to be the lead singer, she was 16 at the time and a but shy so she said no. They tried out another signer but it didn’t work out so he aksed Simone again and second time round she said yes, at the age of 17. Some more context, Simone started classical voice training at 15 years of age so she was effectively learning on the job in those early years.

Don't hesitate to react to more recent performances of Epica. Simone today is so much better then ever before! 🤘🏻

Despite its title, this song has nothing to do with the movie. Guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen explained the track's meaning: "The song is dealing about us humans, being caught in a matrix (an illusion) because of our excessive thinking. We have lost control over our lives and accept the illusion as 'the one reality.' But if we manage to free ourselves from those shackles and become masters of our thoughts again, we can make a huge step forward in collective consciousness and will be able to look beyond the borders of our matrix." This song is from "The Holographic Principle" album, and it is glorious ❤‍🔥. NWSU/FloorFan/Epican 🤘😎🤘.

Hi Rosalie did you know that Simone made a cover of "Part of Your World" from Disney's Little Mermaid? it's so beautiful: Part of your World - The Little Mermaid (Cover by Simone Simons)

Next song - Kingdom of heaven part 3 omega alive show . .

Thank you so much again rosalie. Discovered this band thx to u. Now im gonna dive in. Total vibration raising tunes.

Such a great band

What a wonderful reaction! And thoughtful dissection of lyrics. Bravo, ma’am! 🌀🌀🌀👏👏👏 Please, more Epica! 🌀🌀🌀🙏🙏🙏

Nice, the live at the Zenith in Paris version. 2017 ,I believe. You got Simone, Mark, Rob, and Arien. Isaac Delahaye on guitar, and Coen Janssen on keys. This has been the lineup since 2012. Helena was only there for a cup of coffee at the very beginning. Yves Huts(bass), Ad Sluijter (guitar), and Jeroen Simons (drums ) are the other former members. Unlike Stabat Mater Dolorosa, this gives you a taste of what they can really do. A lot of songs , but not all, have a mix of Simone's clean, and Mark's harsh vocals. Sometimes referred to as beauty and the beast. Some beautiful ballads too. If you want to see more from them, here's a couple suggestions. For heavier, Consign to Oblivion at this same live at the Zenith show. Or for a ballad, Rivers live at AFAS in The Netherlands 2023, featuring Apocalyptica.

That thing about the choice of how to respond is something very key; it's Stoicism 101. In this current era of outrage culture I often find myself wishing more people made a conscious effort to examine their emotions before popping off. Epica is amazing. I love symphonic metal in general, but I don't think anyone else combines classical and metal in quite the way they do.

What a beautiful analysis and reaction, i loved it. The song is indeed beautiful and deep. Please react more EPICA. One song you might enjoy: - Unleashed (Retrospect live) Thanks and chees!

Want to continue down the rabbit hole. Epica took their name from another progressive symphonic power metal bands called Kamelot. The album was called "Epica", like NIghtwish Kamelot has been around for about 3 decades now and helped pave the way for many of these artists and bands you are now sharing with the world. Coming across these bands in the late 90s and early 00's I'm partial to their earlier works such as Epica, Black Halo, Karma, Ghost Opera but there is something for everyone to enjoy in all of their albums. As for Epica they have been nothing short or amazing throughout their career. They have some real memorable songs but every one of there albums have been consistently good to great. Enjoy the rabbit hole, we'll see you on the other side 🙃😊

Epica are my favourite metal band (equal with Opeth and Igorrr). They have amazing variety and I think you will definitely get a kick out of their lyrics and themes. Musically every member of the band is top tier. They do go heavier sometimes, but also have some of the most stunning ballads you will every hear. Not many bands could pull off the name Epica.

Powerful instrumentation and vocals.

Rosalie you touch on a major of Epica sound. They are an exercise in contrasted between the brutality in the guitars and Mark's Growls vs Simon Simons Soprano vocals. No other band sounds like Epica and they keep collaborating with other bands too,

Thank you so much for your amazing reaction to my favourite band in the world!

I think your analysis is on point and I enjoyed it! Epica indeed creates complex pieces that keeps you at the edge of your seat. I hope you will react to more Epica ☺

They are exceptional love . Saw them 3 times. Better each time. They are great with fans. On same level as Nightwish. Great lead singer and heavy metal.

design your universe, unleashed (retrospect), unchain utopia, essence of silence - these are a must see

Glad to see you return to this amazing band! As you probably noticed they are musically in the heavier spectrum among the commonly labeled 'symphonic metal' bands, but they have a lot of variety, ballads, long epics, frenetic bangers, songs with a lot of growls (done by guitarist and leader Mark Jansen and sometimes the lead guitarist Isaac Delahaye), or none at all. They usually use a lot of background tracks like Nightwish, but with heavy usage of choirs, like in this song. Simone of course has a great voice but they reinforce that with the choir for maximum effect in the choruses. Another example is Unchain Utopia, which has a similar structure. The real jewels for me though are the longer epics, they usually have one or two per album. Among them the Kingdom of Heaven trilogy is a big recommendation, also with great lyrics since you are into that as well!

Hi Rosalie. 🙂That was the whole choir singing during the chorus, not just Simone. Nice to see you doing more Epica, but you need to increase the frequency, not just once in a half year. 😄 Epica is a phenomenal band and you have a lot of amazing music to discover! Please, react to them more often! Helena Michaelsen was hired as their lead singer when the band was formed but it somehow didn't work out, so Mark asked his then girlfriend Simone, who just finished her vocal lessons, if she would like to try it with Epica. Most fans would consider Simone the first and only singer of Epica. Other band members are: Mark Jansen - founder and mastermind, rhythm guitarist Coen Janssen - co-founding member, keyboardist, responsible for most orchestral and choir arrangements Arien van Weesenbeek - drummer (since 2007) Isaac Delahaye - lead guitarist (since 2009) Rob van der Loo - bassist (since 2012) All band members contribute to songwriting to various extent, depending on the song. Lyrics are written either by Mark or Simone, roughly 50/50. Next song for you to react to (this time without any harsh vocals) EPICA - Unleashed (Live at the AFAS Live)

I saw this song live. It was epic, much better as youtube can show it. One of those bands, which man should seen live.

Thanks, another great band

Having seen Epica live in the early years I confirm their absolute great performance and perfection in metal. By the way Simons past name ist pronounced like Simmons (like the simms, not 'Seimons'. But that is just known to me as I am german. Nice reaction anyway Rosalie!!!

WE👏NEED👏MORE👏EPICA!👏👏👏

Hey, can you do more Epica? I mean, much more! Next one for you: Unleashed, Live at the AFAS Live

I liked your reaction a lot. I was without internet for 26 hrs and 42 min. Yours was the first video I watched. SO nice.

Simone Simons is truly the Venus of Epica.

The ultimate of female divine power... muscianship, songwriting, artistery on the highest level... right up in the core of our souls

May I suggest "consign to oblivion" from their same great concert in Paris, Zenith ? This band offers a rabbit hole as large as Nightwish 's one to explore

It is a bad joke, but there’s a reason it’s in their name! XD Epic really is the only word for them. There’s something about the clarity of Simone’s timbre and diction that I love so much. She’s an incredibly versatile and skilled singer! And it’s super cool to hear you talk about the meaning of the song! Epica’s lyrics are very new age and philosophical, they talk a lot about the inner self and our place in the universe. Also, fun fact that this song is a staple at their concerts, and you better believe everyone really does jump on cue XD Going forward, there’s some others I think you’d like that really showcase their lyric writing imo, as well as Simone’s vocals-The Skeleton Key (Omega Alive), Cry for the Moon (Omega Alive), Consign to Oblivion (Zenith), and Abyss of Time (Omega Alive)

A beautiful woman with beautiful voice sings a beautiful song with beautiful band and beautiful croud... It's a hi pleasure, Rosalie! The life is beautiful! Do EPICA-"Kingdom of Heaven Part 3." Great, great, great!

Epica is my second favorite Symphonic Metal band, I give Nightwish the edge and am in love with Floor Jansen. However, there is a special place in my heart ❤️ for Simone Simons!

Or a little bit music of Within Tempation is dutch , too ?

Of course, before Epic fans hate me, maybe you'll read this. Simone has a very nice vocal, of course she also studied classical vocals, you can hear it. Attention, in this performance she is not the "highest" soprano, although she has interesting vocal parts and you can hear in them that she sings wonderfully. I would like to add that Epica is not only Simone (although she is the image of this band) but the rest of Epica's musicians are not lagging behind.... Vocals, keyboard, percussion and music section? Very nice done band.

Great review. You get it and have the DNA of an Epican.

The song of Elissa: Ana Batmayel Aala El Beat ❤

If you so likes the Epica, I want to suggest you to compare one of their song (Abyss of time) in two very different style. Original: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sTbk3SfUq9Q.html Acoustic: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tpy-KdtLsZY.html

Now we need some Within Temptation

Smoon (Simone) is a Godess and she know that... 😍😍😍😍

i love epica

Epica are an amazing band. All of their music be it old or new is relevant. I prefer Epica and Beyond the Black to Nightwish these days.

Crowd pleaser!!!!!!!!!!!

Next from Epica : River ?

Any advice on starting a reaction channel

Hey Rosalie die Niederlande sind nicht so weit von mir entfernt ich wohne in Niedersachsen 2stunden auto fahren dann bin ich da

Normal Music for me !

can you reacts ISYANA SARASVATI QUEEN PROG FROM INDONESIA, title song UNLOCK THE KEY, if you like SYMPHONIC METAL PROGRESIVE please you can choose it

Don't if someone said this but flor n simone are best friends

Oh, orange pill, not blue...

Ja stimmt Epic is von den Netherlands das was du hören willst is cool Simone is die Sängerin Mark Jansen gitrist Isaac ebenso cone kibord mir is leider der Name deS Bassisten entfallen sprry

Hey du kannst dich mit Simone in deutsch unterhalten sie lebt jetzt hier also trau dich nur