Epica

After a few years of waiting I could finally see Epica again at the Oosterpoort in Groningen. The German band Xandria was present as support. From both bands' performances, I had to miss a little bit. because of the interviews with guitarist Isaac Delahaye (Epica) and singer Dianne van Giersbergen (Xandria).

Having done several shows in the past 12 years, including Retrospect, Epica has done this show really well. Because the band loves our cold little country so much, they had therefore this show scheduled for their fans. Soprano singer Simone Simons and rhythm guitarist/growler Mark Jansen, still now very well, just like the other members (keyboardist Coen Janssen, bassist Rob van der Loo and drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek) how to throw a party with their fans.

The music is, as we can expect from Epica, melodic and symphonic metal, sometimes with death- and gothic metal influences, while the lyrical themes are about religion, society, politics and philosophy, but sometimes, they also have some personal touches.

The sound during the show was wonderful, although I had to wear earplugs mandatory, because I would otherwise become deaf too fast. During the silence, I could take them out for a while, so that I could hear and understand what the band all said to us.

As always, the band does a great stage act, so I can only be positive about it. What I also liked was the drum solo of Ariën, right after "Cry For The Moon", which he had also done at Retrospect.

Xandria is also a must. The word was of course done by Dianne in her native language (Dutch), while they did their songs in English, which of course is quite logical in the metal music, but also, the men of the band (guitarist Marco Heubaum and Philip Restemeier, drummer Gerit Lamm and bassist Steven Wussow) know how to encourage us to rock with them, haha.

Conclusion: from my perspective, it became a top performance, all in all.

Metallica, Apolcalytica and now Epica. All cards on the table – their music is completely epic. Their title isn’t a lie! Hailing from the Netherlands, their career spanning twelve years thus far, Epica are really making a buzz in the metal scene with their huge symphonic metal. Huge chugging palm muted distorted guitar chords, fused with huge orchestral textures layered on top of what is going on. They of course have a secret weapon, in the form of Simon Simons, the soprano singer fronting the band, whose range is utterly stratospheric, her voice reaching extremely high notes, adorned by a classically trained falsetto.
“Unleashed” is the song that immediately sounds like something from Phantom of the Opera Simons, using her classically trained falsetto, alongside her belting range, which flows over the chorus of this compound time metal hit, which makes you want to stand on the top of a mountain in Middle Earth using your longbow against ring wraiths.
Who knows, maybe they will grace the BBC with the BBC Philharmonic, although, you’ve gotta hand it to keyboard player Coen Jansseen making it sound like a full orchestra is coming out of his keyboard! More Timps please!

Maravilhoso poder conhecer uma banda que amo tanto em um show ao vivo. O show foi ótimo, tocando músicas do novo CD quase na integra, com umas poucas memórias do passado. Único ponto realmente ruim foi o local do show no Tropical Butantã, não cheguei muito cedo, confesso, mas mesmo assim havia uma fila enorme e cerca de 30 minutos para o tempo marcado ao show começar. Conseguiram felizmente colocar todo mundo para dentro rapidinho. Consequentemente fiquei mais distante do palco e o palco era baixo, pessoas mais altas na frente facilmente tampavam a visão completa do palco e foi necessário muito empurra empurra para conseguir encontrar algum lugar onde pudesse ver o show mesmo que de maneira ruim. O palco deveria ter pelo menos uns 60 centímetros, talvez um metro a mais, e nem sei se a casa comportaria esta altura. Ou ter o piso em escada invertida, com mais grades, para que a experiência das pessoas no fundo não fosse tão ruim.

Freakin' good show last night @ l'Impérial despite Epica not playing, The Agonist were in fire, they played an extra 15 mins which was really appreciated and it was awesome. Eluveitie played their Pure Fucking Folk Metal and Rocked the place. Awesome night, and to the 250 people that got their tickets reimbursed because Epica wasn't playing, You fucking Suck!.. Super bon show hier soir @ l'impérial malgré qu'Epica n'aie pas joué, The Agonist était en feu, ils ont joué 15 mins d'extra ce qui a été vraiment apprécié et c'était malade. Eluveitie ont joué leur Pure Fucking Folk Metal et on Rocké la place. Super soirée, et aux 250 personnes qui ce sont faites rembourser parce qu'Epica ne jouait pas, Vous êtes poche en criss!.. :) \m/>''<\m/

My favorite symphonic metal band, Epica, along with Dragonforce and Dagoba. Three amazing bands coming to Lisbon. So, the decision to go was easy to make, and it was a fantastic experience. Dagoba played only five songs but the energy displayed was that of a headliner. Dragonforce played a couple more songs than Dagoba, but also with technical and captivating mastery. And then Epica. Each band member connect very well with the audience and among themselves. The chemistry is contagious and crowd and band feel like a true family. With heavy songs combined with lighter ones, it is a show to remember and that I will revisit in my mind many times in the months to come.

The show was good, but the people... ugh terrible! It made my experience not so enjoyable. The promoter should not allow alcoholic drinks, or at least take drunk people outside. There were two guys totally drunk pushing people (myself included), disturbing the ones who wanted to enjoy the show. What is the point of going to a concert if you're too wasted to even listen?... Besides that, the venue was small and a nightmare for short people like myself.

Bands were on stage on time, really appreciated! Good sound, good light arrangements.

Très belle soirée avec Epica. Après Myrath, excellent groupe que je connaissais déjà et qui ne m'a pas déçue, Vuur n'était pas à mon goût mais le grand Epica n'en a paru que plus magistral : une chanteuse pleine de charisme et de générosité, avec une voix qui porte au-dessus de la puissance musicale, des musiciens virtuoses et parfois drôles, un Mark Jansen toujours juste et puissant au chant guttural... Le public était ultra-réceptif... Bref, une bonne dose de catharsis !

The show was veryyy awesome! No more words, because I can Deconstruct that energy´s show! Or I will needed Design My Universe again... rs
Simone is a Diva with your voice as Valquirya! Mark becomes at The show an heavy, strong and beatiful with gultural´s voice... remenbered your performance with guitar... Isaac, Coen and Arien are wizards... masters in yours instruments... man, that guys are very awesome! Thanks Epica for that Show in São Paulo!
;) Huges from Brazil

It was a nice surprise to discover Diablo Blvd. a very good belgium Band which i enjoyed much.
I came for DragenForce and despite the absence of Vadim (Keyboard), it was terrific good to hear and see them again.
Epica was also quite good, they started strognly and finished well. Last album does not seem to be my preference. The show was good but the best music remains by far Dragonforce! this constellation of the 3 groups is a very one! Norbert

Amazing concert! I originally bought the tickets for Powerwolf, but Epica and Beyond the Black were awesome as well. In the beginning there were some technical issues with the sound, but this was fixed rather quickly. I really liked the people who worked there, very friendly. The pauses between the bands could have been shorter, and the drinks were really expensive. Nontheless we had a great evening, thank you!