Epica

[chazzyf]

Having been blown away by them on Saturday night in Brussels I have no hesitation in suggesting that they would have a similar effect on an audience in the UK.

here's a snippet of my review:

EPICA(NL): Definitely the most anticipated band of the day and they delivered big-time. Simone looked absolutely gorgeous and was an excellent frontwoman. I couldn’t fault her singing, she moved very well and headbanged enthusiastically when she wasn’t singing. The rest of the band were very good too. In fact I enjoyed the whole thing so much, I barely took any notes at all (but I did take a lot of photos of Simone).

The setlist consisted of the whole of the album, plus Japanese bonus track ‘The Triumph of Defeat’ (composed by the keyboard player), plus old After Forever tune ‘Follow in the Cry’. When they were called back for an encore they had nothing else to play, so they played ‘Cry For The Moon’ again as Mark Jansen reckoned that it was the tune which had received the best response from the crowd. One of the best sets I’ve seen all year.
http://www.epica.nl/

Phwoar Simone! What bloke could resist!?!?!

 

[Baletempest]

Yes! I've never herd them but she is stunning, mmmm

 

[wolfhoff]

Yes theirs is a great debut album and she certainly is rather good on the the old mince pies but I wasnt too sure about the Death Metal vocals scattered in the songs , they seemed to spoil what could have been a 10/10 album !

 

[sal666]

The Death metal vocals make the album what it is!!! Mark Jansen is truly amazing!! Or am I a little biased here cos i'm obsessed with After Forever.... his former band???? I wonder....

Anyways, Charlie..... you'll be glad to know that you have made me suitably jealous.... I hope the gig was worth it.... I WILL see both After Forever and Epica next year (if it kills me)

BUT... I am getting a limited edition Epica single next week..... which is nice!!!!

After Forever and Epica for Bloodstock 04

 

[dragonmaiden]

After Forever and Epica for Bloodstock 04

Totally agree with you Sal...The Phantom Agony is an excellent album....and I would love to see After Forever too.....get them over for Bloodstock Vince!!!

 

[sal666]

Totally agree with you Sal...The Phantom Agony is an excellent album....and I would love to see After Forever too.....get them over for Bloodstock Vince!!!

Another one who'd like to see After Forever!!!! Excellent stuff

I purposly played 3 AF tracks at Whiplash on Saturday just for Vince!!! I think he liked them..... we'll see

 

[MentaLee]

Epica..........Nightwish with grunts

 

[chazzyf]

Epica..........Nightwish with grunts

Dear, dear - what a simplistic (and incorrect) analysis. Female-fronted metal bands have been spawning in Scandinavia (principally Norway) and The Netherlands before the likes of Nightwish came on the scene and they have continued to develop quite independantly of the 'Nightwish phenomenon'.

And Nightwish have featured grunts themselves a couple of times, in case you didn't notice

 

[chazzyf]

Anyways, Charlie..... you'll be glad to know that you have made me suitably jealous.... I hope the gig was worth it.... I WILL see both After Forever and Epica next year (if it kills me)

No need to go to those extremes. I'm sure it'll happen.

BUT... I am getting a limited edition Epica single next week..... which is nice!!!!

grrrr *goes red with jelousy*

 

[sal666]

grrrr *goes red with jelousy*

Hee hee!! Its not what you know its who!!!

 

[MentaLee]

Oops, did I miss out my [sarc] tags???

 

[chazzyf]

Oops, did I miss out my [sarc] tags???

Its OK, I see 'em now

BTW you never did tell me how you were able to point me out to the likes of Eagle/LydianLady @ the 'Bloodstock on the Road' show @ the Underworld. I'm less sarky myself in real-life too

 

[Dream Thief]

Another vote here to After Forever or Epica.....or both

I have all of After Forever's stuff and of course the excellent Phantom Agony by Epica which was bought at none other than Bloodstock!!!

I'd love to see them live aswell.

Hey we'd be spoiled with all these ladies...I mean Edenbridge's Sabine is gorgeous aswell!!!

 

[sal666]

Hey c'mon Vince..... How can you argue with so many people


It isn't just me who wants to see them..... get them over..... they'll love it!! And so will I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW the new After Forever EP was released today...... woohoo!!!!!! Both my copies will be in the post tomorrow withthe 2 Epica ones!!!! (How sad am i??)

 

[MentaLee]

Dream Thief, what do you mean "we'd be spoiled with all these ladies"??? About bloody time too I say!!!!!! More metal women is what we need...both on and offstage!!!

 

[Baletempest]

Well If you want more women there's always Lacuna Coil (salivates). Are Epica Gothic or Pwer Metal, I've never heard them and this is interesting me at the mo'.

 

[chazzyf]

Well If you want more women there's always Lacuna Coil (salivates). Are Epica Gothic or Power Metal, I've never heard them and this is interesting me at the mo'.

Well its 'Beauty and the Beast' metal innit? beauty = Simone, beast = Mark

At its base its kinda dark, gothic metal which uses a lot of keyboards and orchestral instruments (sampled) to produce a very full sounding, symphonic metal, over which is layed the beautiful voice of Simone and the odd grunted/growled interjection from Mark. Its not hugely original, in the sense that it has been done before [See Tristania, Sirenia, Within Temptation, After Forever etc etc], but they have a certain class, which makes me think that they'll be very successful ... added to which,
[bitch mode on]band leader Mark Janssen isn't exactly lacking in the confidence department. After a particularly good audience response to a song on Saturday night he was pumping the air and screaming " Yeah! We are the best!" ... I do like modesty in a musician [bitch mode off]

He's right though - they are damn good

 

[Dream Thief]

Dream Thief, what do you mean "we'd be spoiled with all these ladies"??? About bloody time too I say!!!!!! More metal women is what we need...both on and offstage!!!

That's pretty much what I meant to say. It just came out wrong.

Yeah, I agree with you totally on that one!!!

 

[Stormwarrior]

Dream Thief, what do you mean "we'd be spoiled with all these ladies"??? About bloody time too I say!!!!!! More metal women is what we need...both on and offstage!!!

Lee you speak wise words my friend!!!

 

[Stormwarrior]

That's pretty much what I meant to say. It just came out wrong.

Yeah, I agree with you totally on that one!!!

Whaddya mean it came out wrong you silly sod!!!!! its all that non alcoholic beer you drink thats sending you wacko!

Next time mister the beers are on you!!!!!!