Young Opera Singer Reacts To Epica - Unleashed

[@alanfoster6589]

As a lifetime classical music aficionado (I'm 77), discovering symphonic metal opened a whole new world of listening for me. I think the old guys, from Bach onward, would have fully approved.

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

Watch this same song from AFAS Live. No live orchestra, but high recording quality and Simone sounds better than ever. It's 10 years later than the one you've seen here (2023 vs 2013).

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

And for some further appreciation of goddess Simone: Apocalyptica & Epica - Rise Again (Official Video)

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing💕

[@MilesDashing]

My girlfriend argues the first symphonic metal (song? album?) was Carmina Burana. Once you've heard it, you can help noticing that basically every Epica song is Carmina Burana with electric guitars. Lucky for me, I really like Carmina Burana.

[@alanfoster6589]

@@MilesDashing Fair analogy. One could also make an argument for Prokofiev's "Scythian suite", which predates Burana by twenty years (and is plainly much less well known). Or that matter, "The Rite of Spring". But no vocals in either of those.

[@mikedown3219]

Disney princess, rock goddess and opera queen all wrapped up in one stunning package.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

And funny and s sweetheart. ye we all love her lol 😎

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much🥰

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰🥰🥰

[@MilesDashing]

@@CyberBeep_kenshi She speaks five languages too! Basically, Simone Simons is the real-life equivalent of rolling up a D&D character and getting all 18s.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

@@MilesDashing seen her a lot in the Netherlands, always a party :)

[@vaillancourt99]

Simone was 3 months pregnant when doing that show back in 2013. You can somewhat see the beginning of the baby bump :)

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the info😍😍😍

[@MrSh0110]

Simone was a metal queen back then. She’s a metal goddess now. Check these for example - Epica - Kingdom of Heaven part 3 - Omega Alive Epica - Rivers - AFAS live feat. Apocalyptica Epica - The Skeleton Key - Omega Alive Apocalyptica feat. Simone - Rise Again

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing💕

[@rolsen1304]

Oh yes, if you want to hear even more colours of Simone's voice react to Chasing the Dragon live at Retrospect, from this same concert. She covers the entire spectrum of her voice in that song, it is absolutely fantastic and also a fantastic song from a composition standpoint.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing💕

[@wannabedane4046]

Incredible when you think Simone was 3 month pregnant and sang about 3 hours during the concert. I hape I'll get to experience this in September when Epica performs again with a full orchestra and choir.

[@RoseForEverafter]

I’m literally praying for this to be on the setlist! And Rivers, even though I would absolutely start crying XD

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰🥰🥰

[@greganderson6371]

Dreams come true and it was fantastic!

[@BrendonChase_2015]

My personal Epica favourite. Simone really shines with vocal versatility and gorgeous phrasing. Love the intro with its Vivaldi vibe although as a Dutchie, I can't help being reminded of Clous van Mechelen's neo-Baroque tune that he wrote for a beer commercial ("Vakmanschap is Meesterschap"). Some Dutchies will know 😉 Cheers from Amsterdam! 🤘

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing💕

[@MiniLemmy]

I think the best compliment for this music is that it sounds like a big budget movie soundtrack as they tend to be highly produced and professionally coordinated

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰

[@sumonjamal1653]

Having experienced Epica live in concert up close 3 times... I highly recommend seeing them live when they tour... 🤘🤘🔥🔥 Simone Simons is a supermodel 😍 as well as a great singer.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the recommendation💕

[@derkabronen]

This one should be a standard in the Opera Classes Curriculum.

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰🥰🥰

[@MilesDashing]

What a delightful young lady. Watching your videos is like taking an antidepressant. Thank you for the reaction!

[@AaliyahCapili]

Wow, thank you so much🥰😍🥰

[@TheEvilAllure]

You should check out more Epica songs. I would recommend Cry for the Moon (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 4), and Façade of Reality (The Embrace That Smothers, Pt. 5).

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@theglanconer6463]

Brilliant song, brilliant band, thank you, keep up the great work & cheers from the Low Countries !!!

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much, have a wonderful day always

[@renevw5812]

If you look how fantastic the music was blend into each other. This was one of the best mixes i have ever hear live. Mostly the band is above the choir and orchestra. But this was amazing. I see a lot of classical trained people (from violist to opera singers) that they enjoy listening to prog, metal.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing💕

[@RoseForEverafter]

Nice to see you coming back to Epica!! Simone has a truly stunning voice, just incredibly pure and sparkly but still with warmth and strength. As others have mentioned, she was pregnant during this concert, which is why you can hear her flagging a little more easily on those longer/higher notes, but she still did a spectacular job. Absolutely one of my favorite singers and just incredibly skilled at what she does, from her gorgeous timbre to amazing versatility. She transitions so seamlessly between contemporary and classical technique, even within the same phrase, and I also particularly love how *clear* her diction is-even in live performances, it’s for the most part really easy to understand what she’s saying, and that’s something it’s easy to lose, especially when belting or going more classical. Definitely hope you check them out more! Some of my favorites for listening to Simone’s voice are the ballads, like Tides of Time, Rivers, and Rise Again (which she did with Apocalyptica), but literally everything from them is great. Some of the harder songs I’d suggest are The Skeleton Key which she uses a lot of different techniques in, Code of Life, Abyss of Time, Victims of Contingency, and Fools of Damnation. Most have good live performances from the online concert Omega Alive! And, if you’re interested in more singers like her, symphonic metal is absolutely the right genre for you! It’s pretty dominated by female vocalists, a lot of whom have classical/operatic training. Of course you know Floor, but Nightwish’s first vocalist Tarja Turunen was also operatically trained and has a phenomenal rich, dramatic soprano voice. Check out Phantom of the Opera or Ever Dream from the End of an Era show, or her cover of Muse’s Supremacy and song Until My Last Breath for more recent hits! On the other hand, Evanescence is more nu metal, but I feel like a lot of people don’t know that Amy Lee had classical training in her youth, and listening to her voice with that knowledge makes the songs even more gorgeous! There’s the classics we all know and love like Call Me When You’re Sober and Bring Me To Life as well as newer anthems like Use My Voice and Made of Stone.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Hello, thank you so much for sharing all of these, much appreciated🥰🥰🥰have a wonderful week♥️

[@christophschmedes5975]

Simone start her singing by Epica with 17years now she is 39years and one of the best sopranos in Metall 🤘

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰🥰🥰

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

Simone is a goddess. Definitely the best mixed vocals I've heard. And what about that epic key change toward the end of the song! Ok, so this was a 2013 performance, but you also need to hear the same song from "Live at the AFAS Live" which is 2023 - her headvoice is even better in that one. Overall, very well recorded video and audio. For more badass raspy voice watch Unleashed - Live Masters of Rock 2014. And since you liked cool transitions, I think you will really enjoy Universal Death Squad (Official lyric video)

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing💕

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

@@AaliyahCapili You're welcome. But are you going to react to it? 🙂

[@jubbelidiot]

If you get the chance, you really should see them live, in person. The whole band brings such an amazing energy to their concerts, and Simone has never disappointed me with her performance. I can't wait till September when I am traveling to the Netherlands to see them, with an orchestra and choir ^^

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing and for the recommendation

[@rolsen1304]

Simone is just a fantastic woman! She's pregnant here as well, far enough along that you can see the baby bump, and still pulls of 3 hours of glorious symphonic metal!

[@AaliyahCapili]

😍😍😍

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

best band ever 🤘😎🤘

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

Epica & Dimmu Borgir, best of the best!

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

@@Divide_et_lmpera Hmm DB is quite a lot of fun too hehe

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰

[@astral7080]

The eight wonder of the world!

[@mikehipps1015]

Epic! Metal head here. Open is righteous

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰

[@scifimonkey3]

Check out ‘Once upon a nightmare’ and ‘Kingdom of Heaven part 3’ from the Omega Alive concert and ‘Rivers’ ft Apocalyptica from the AFAS live for more Simone and Epica greatness.

[@erickvermeulen9734]

I concur

[@LDBHX]

Definitely I concur 🤘🔥💜

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for the recommendation💕

[@julianhinojosa9695]

Anytime you get orchestra in the mix, it's a winner. Didn't know what to call this type of music, so hearing you say symphonic metal make since. Great song, and as always, great reaction.

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

Try the same song "Unleashed" but from the AFAS Live. It's from 2023 and Simone sounds even better, at least her operatic voice. No live orchestra in that version (though you can still hear it on the back track) but it's a wonderful performance, both audio and video.

[@julianhinojosa9695]

​@@Divide_et_lmperaI see what you mean. You got me listening to this song more than I intended.😂 I've been back and forth listening to both versions. This version of the song was posted 10 years ago, and the one you suggested was from 9 months back. I do love seeing the orchestra in the video, and I think they add more being live. In the AFAS Live version, it's more in the background. I see what you mean in sounding better in her operatic voice in the AFAS Live version. In this video, she doesn't seem to hold the notes as long towards the end of the song as she does in the AFAS version. I could probably try to analyze this more, but I am by no means an expert. Lol. Thank you for the suggestion. I would recommend the AFAS Live version also.

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

@@julianhinojosa9695 Well, Unleashed is a beautiful song, lyrics, melody and of course vocals. The key change toward the end, when Simone switches to more head voice, is super epic. I love her gorgeous soprano. As you can hear, it's not a full-blown operatic soprano, she often uses mixed head+chest and she's very good at doing that. Yes, the Retrospect (live orchestra) is from 2013, which was their 10th anniversary concert that lasted for 3 hours. Simone was pregnant at the time, you can even see her baby bump in this video. The AFAS Live is from 2023, so you can see ten years difference. She has practiced a lot since the Retrospect, especially during the lockdown, and if shows in the AFAS version. Do yourself a favour and listen to more Epica. They are not a one-hit band. Several amazing songs on every album! This band is currently the peak of symphonic metal. You won't find anything better in this subgenre.

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

@@julianhinojosa9695 Here's an example of one of their wonderful ballads. Copy-paste this title into search field: Epica - Tides Of Time (lyrics) Elimeleh69 Here, probably the most operatic vocals from Simone (2021). Again, copy-paste exactly this: Epica In All Conscience Orion Nemesis And here (2022) some nice belted notes... Apocalyptica & Epica - Rise Again (Official Video)

[@julianhinojosa9695]

@@Divide_et_lmpera nice breakdown. I will diffinantly give them more of a listen. Thank you.

[@joealvarez8733]

This is my favorite subgenre of metal...hoppy Easter 🐇

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰

[@Spot-t]

A personal favorite song of mine. The last bit with higher pitch (or maybe just more operatic? I'm an amateur sorry haha) on the same chorus always gets me, and I definitely love the live aswell. I recommend "Blank Infinity - Acoustic vers. By Simone and their guitarist, its super intimate and clear for analyis of the voice (I think). Great video, Aaaliyah

[@RoseForEverafter]

Yeah the last bit was a key change, so it went higher!

[@Spot-t]

It was? So cool! Thanks for letting me know, learning relative pitch is hard@@RoseForEverafter 😭

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing🥰

[@sonjaschweinsberger1637]

more Epica Plz

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@eckligt]

Have you heard the Epica song "Tides of Time"? That is Simone's show-off number. If you want to react to it, you should primarily go for the studio version because there sadly isn't a professional live video of it which is also a good performance. Here's the studio version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3ezn2Sie6mfr6c But if you want something to look at, to comment on technique, this fan-filmed live version is decent: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmTYoIidqcmWrKs

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing and the recommendations💕

[@fluffpuckot]

From the same concert (I think) you should check out Sancta Terra which she does in a duet with Floor Jansen. Also for a more classical one, they also do Stabat Mater. Those two fantastic ladies together, it doesn’t get much (if any) better than that!

[@AaliyahCapili]

😍😍😍

[@bararobberbaron859]

I love when music pulls in more non-traditional instruments. Not that a cello is weird, but it's not common in metal. And a violin certainly isn't weird, but it's not very common in EDM. And hell, Haggard somehow sounds like 13th century music. And Epica do this beautifully.

[@eckligt]

Have you heard Apocalyptica? They have been straddling the line between rock and classical since the 1990's with their cello recordings. Simone Simons did a song with them called "Rise Again".

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing💕

[@letheas6175]

Yaay! So excited for this reaction

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much

[@rnowak85]

Loved your reaction. Epica is one of the most symphonic of the symphonic metal bands except for maybe Therion. This is one of my favorite Epica songs and one of my go too's to introduce non metal people to the band. Having a live orchestra on stage is so fantastic.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much💕

[@MrApocalyptica83]

fun fact on this retrospect showperformance of 3 hour for the 10th anniversary of the band was in her third month of pregnancy

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing💕

[@davidfischer1138]

Nice pick. Classical rock

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

This subgenre is called symphonic metal.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thank you

[@VeljkoNikolic-is5px]

Simone Simons is like Old Egyptian's Goddess

[@AaliyahCapili]

😍😍😍

[@KurtHiemcke]

TY Aaliyah, always love your genuine reactions to songs.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much

[@Fer44_BR]

Simone is amazing! Try "Rivers" a capela, amazing version.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@gregten102]

nice reaction twin flames from this concert is ' ;;;;;;;;;;;;

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰

[@LDBHX]

Epica is always Pure Epicness 🔥💜🤘💜🔥 Thanks for reaction Can't wait for more And maybe it's time for Electric Callboy journey.... You won't regret 😜🤘🔥

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much💕

[@bigg2988]

OK, Aaliyah, I surrender. :) You have picked the "right" songs. This one is a classic. The way Simone goes up an octave for the last chorus, floating over the multi-instrumental mayhem, is special. One of my favorite songs of theirs, which says something regarding the band's extensive catalogue! Next, you could react to a couple of songs from the same concert ("Retrospect" 10th Anniversary): - "Design Your Universe" (the full package; the Metal, Classical and dramatic elements brought together with unparalleled power); - "Sancta Terra" (a symphonic powerhouse, introducing a very special guest star for the ultimate "Flower duet"!)

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing and for all the recommemdations

[@stefanobracco3836]

Mi piace molto guardare i tuoi video, sei molto brava e così bella! 😍💞

[@AaliyahCapili]

Oh super thank you

[@Haelidhh]

She has improved her live vocals a lot since then. :D Not saying she was bad 10 years ago, but it's amazing now hehe

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing🌺

[@christophschmedes5975]

On this concert tath you here sing Simone with floor sabat marta Dolorosa

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing💕

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

Can you do more Epica please??

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@Divide_et_lmpera]

@@AaliyahCapili Hello again. 🙂 I think it's time for some incredible vocals.... Apocalyptica & Epica - Rise Again (Official Video)

[@michaelbuttner4262]

The Grandfather of Heavy Metal Music is Classical Music

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰🥰🥰

[@dragonreader3817]

👍

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰

[@felipecampos3045]

Design your universe from the same show is equaly as amazing, if not more so ;)

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@huberjanssen3015]

Try nightwish with floor jansen

[@AaliyahCapili]

Yes, i also have reactions on them, they are so awesome😍😍😍love them♥️♥️♥️

[@antivanti]

Speaking of switching between classical and contemporary singing you should check out Kristin Starkey. She's an opera singer (I think she's a contralto) and she also does some metal covers on her youtube. Very good example of switching between classical and contemporary would be this cover of Epica - The Essene of Silence: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3vVZZeagpWFj68 And in this one she also does harsh vocals, Kamelot - Liar Liar kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWSth4SlbZuWia8

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks so much for sharing💕

[@ericbraun4652]

And she's not using the "opera" technique to allow her to hit higher notes. In your review video she hits an "operatic" note at 5:55 and then hits an even higher "contemporary" note next at 5:57. She just does what she wants.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing

[@leobarzi]

Great Reaction Dear... Please take a look in "Pirates will Return" from Visions of Atlantis.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing

[@leobarzi]

@@AaliyahCapili Thank you very much for your kind attention. I have been watch here from Brazil.

[@roseberrygamingid]

please react cry to the moon from epica, it also beautiful

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing

[@7thomcat]

Please do a reaction to Glennis Grace- she is so talented like you

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@mandje2002]

Try Ayreon - The Day That The World Breaks Down - The Source (2017) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXfYfn6ap9-Dp7c And Ayreon - Valley of the Queens (Anneke van Giersbergen, Floor Jansen, Marcela Bovio) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipPIk4Jrd7-cY6s Or Star One - Fate of Man (Brittney Slayes, Michael Romeo) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ-agWali7Khr9U Or Arjen Lucassen's Supersonic Revolution - Golden Age Of Music (Official Music Video) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZ_cnoShj62mZ80 Or Ambeon - Ashes (Simone Simons) (Electric Castle Live And Other Tales) kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH21ZJSKptF1hMk Or Guilt Machine - Twisted Coil (Damian Wilson) (Electric Castle And Other Tales) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZSrn2OheMygd9U And Lucassen & Soeterboek's Plan Nine - Before The Morning Comes (Official Music Video) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ2TXqx-ltpoh7ssi=A5Auu0rhtHgEMTSX #themeaningoflifeistogivelifemeaning 🤘

[@VeljkoNikolic-is5px]

Ayreon is garbage!!!😀😀

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing

[@opushead]

Please react to one of these songs: 1.Valya Blakanska - Iziel je Delyo Hagdutin (Voyager's Golden Record) - bulgarian folklore; 2.Kaval Sviri - bulgarian folklore; 3. KhanЪ - Слънцата на Момчил (The Suns of Momchil) - bulgarian folk metal; 4. Isihia - Gospodi Vozvah - ambient/bulgarian folklore/spiritual music

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the recommendations💕

[@MegaDog555]

🐕Simone is my fav female singer Floor is second

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing

[@Tylan0l]

React to Aaliyah the singer & actress

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for the recommendation

[@Tylan0l]

@@AaliyahCapili when are u gonna react to her?

[@denialmen4248]

I think people dont give enough credit to symphonic metal

[@AaliyahCapili]

🥰🥰🥰

[@AgenteusaRR]

she's great but.... forget Floor, she's a demi-god. no one in the worerld we know can sing like her.

[@AaliyahCapili]

Thanks for sharing🌺