EPICA - Consign To Oblivion (First Reaction)

[@andrewcarter1747]

Epica are a brilliant Symphonic Metal band from the Netherlands, fairly unique in that they bring in prominant Death Metal influences to their music. The lead singer is Simone Simons, and it's not the first time you've heard her as she was in the Ayreon video you reacted to last week! I highly recommend you checking out their song Kindgom of Heaven, it's an absolute masterpiece.

[@charlesfuller4363]

Bro....The Retrospect 2013 show is Epica's masterpiece to watch like Nightwish and the Wacken 2013 performance. It is a must watch. They had an entire orchestra and choir on stage. It is redic. Floor and Simone perform a duet hymn Stabat Mater Dolorosa also that show that is out of this world. That being said, I still recommend Chasing the Dragon live for your next one to show off Simone's voice more. Just wait till you see how much body goosebump percentages you get from that one....

[@lancelarson9306]

Epica's Universal Death Squad (Lyric Video)

[@sordi92]

Finally, EPICA!!! Time for the rabbit hole! Song recommendations: The Essence of Silence Abyss of Time Freedom/The Wolves Within Sancta Terra (fest Floor Jansen) Design Your Universe Storm the Sorrow Requiem for the Indifferent

[@JimGames]

lol yeah man the list has been getting kind of crazy but I'm getting to everything it just takes a bit more time now. Epica will be backing it to the weekly rotations though.

[@sordi92]

@@JimGames lol yeah I bet the list is getting lengthy. Whenever and whatever you get to I’m sure the reactions will be great as usual

[@matiasbelmonte4576]

They are the best symphonic metal band. They have really heavy songs, with death metal elements.

[@charlesfuller4363]

I am so relieved that you got here. Mark Jansen is the one doing the growls. He originally was in After Forever with Floor back in the day. He founded the band after he left After Forever. Simone Simons is the godess singing. The sick af guitar is Isaac Delahaye. The bassist is Rob van der Loo. Coen Janssen on the ivories. Enjoy the ride bro. I am excited to see ya run thru them.

[@JimGames]

Thank man! I'm really excited to hear and learn more.

[@zoltantari7336]

@@JimGames Saying you try not to pause more around 1 minute in a 10 minute song was bold :D Oh and you might heard Simone before.(when you fell into the Ayreon "trap") 😀

[@MissieK]

You forgot the total beast Ariën on the drums. He is extraordinary. Listen the drums to this song they always blow my mind

[@stups9975]

The Epica rabbit hole is deep. They are similar to Nightwish and Simone is an amazing vocalist like Floor. They tend to be heavier than Nightwish but they can loosely be classified as symphonic metal .. but they are the heaviest in the genre. So many good songs to pick from.

[@JimGames]

Thanks for the info!

[@watchtheskies]

So many ties between Epica, Nightwish and Kamelot, Floor and Simone (both Dutch) have been great friends for many years and have performed together many times. Epica guitarist Mark Jansen (playing the Ibanez) was in the band 'After Forever' with Floor. Simone has performed many times with the band Kamelot and is married to Kamelot keyboard player Oliver Palotai. Oliver together with Epica Keyboard player Cohen Janssen, created the orchestral score for Epica's incredible 10 year anniversary show (Retrospect) in 2013

[@JimGames]

I keep hearing about this Kamelot band. I'm going to add them to the list.

[@schout33]

It is indeed Symphonic Metal. In comparison to Nightwish this is heavier most of the time. They are all Dutch and the leadsinger is Simone Simons, a good friend of Floor Jansen and another of the many Dutch Queens in metal. Simone and Floor were roommates for a while. There are several duets between the two to find on KZbin. Two of the most reacted to are: 'Sancta Terra' and 'Stabat Mater Dolorosa' during the 10 years Retrospect show of Epica. The latter song shows how to get a crowd of metalheads quiet during a song. Epica exists since 2002 and the driving force is Mark Jansen (not related to Floor). Both Floor and Mark were in Floor's first band 'After Forever'.

[@MattEmperor]

They were NOT roommates.

[@yssanne24601]

Good reaction, I like it! You actually saw Simone Simons (the female vocalist) just the other day, she's the councelor in Ayreon's The day that the world breaks down :) Epica is just awesome, they combine symphonic w the elements of death metal, unlike other symphonic metal bands (like, you won't hear stuff like this from Nightwish, for example). Oh and also, they got their name from another band, Kamelot, they did an album (a brilliant one) named Epica (I adore Kamelot too, especially Khan's era, but that's another story). Epica have many excellent songs, but my rec is Abyss of time, it's their single from the upcoming album, and not many people reacted to it. :)

[@JimGames]

I just had to go back and re watch the Ayreon video. I completely missed that. Thank you for letting me know!

[@andreaswennberg9542]

EPICA! My favorite band🤟. I would recommend you check out Epica - design your univers (live retrospect). That's with a full orchestra and Choir. Amazing show 🤟😁.

[@JimGames]

consider it added to the list! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@slash-1971]

Yes you sure have stumbled on to something incredible. Epica have an amazing catologue of songs, and when performing with an orchestra and choir are phenomenal. Enjoy the ride 🤘

[@JimGames]

Can't wait!

[@tommyjohnson9175]

Floor and Simone are good friends.. You can see it as Floor joins in during the Epica retrospect show during the song "Sancta Terra", check that one out.. I see they have got you into Epica.. Next is Within Temptation and you'll be sucked into the holy trinity of symphonic metal music...

[@KL-qy4ye]

Within Temptation is definitely another must watch

[@ArvoR]

It will be deep rabbit hole, 7 albums + upcoming 8. masterpiece in feb 2021 I suggest bit softer song, Chasing the Dragon from Retrospect show (Epicas 10.th anniversay, with live orchestra and choir)

[@watchtheskies]

Hi Jim, here are just a few of my favorite Epica songs on youtube, some live and some music videos: Epica - Unchain Utopia (OFFICIAL LIVE VIDEO) EPICA - Edge Of The Blade (OFFICIAL VIDEO) EPICA - Kingdom Of Heaven (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO) EPICA - Unleashed (OFFICIAL LIVE) EPICA - Beyond The Matrix (OFFICIAL VIDEO) EPICA - Universal Death Squad (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)

[@JimGames]

Thank you!

[@erwinmulder1338]

@@JimGames I prefer the 'live' video of Kingdom of Heaven. It's a fan made one, but I think it gives you a better experience than the official lyric one.

[@robbo8013]

Great to see you now reacting to Epica, a more heavy version of symphonic metal with Simone Simons as lead singer a very close friend of Floor Jansen , roommates for awhile and they had even the same vocal coach. She is great too, and by the way the growling guitarist played with Floor in the band After forever. Abyss of Time would be a great next song.

[@JimGames]

Added!

[@MattEmperor]

They were never roommates.

[@mitchellhartman6205]

finally, thank you

[@JimGames]

Sorry about the wait.

[@mitchellhartman6205]

Jim Games Live no worries, if nothing else 2020 taught me to wait.. hope you had a wonderful Christmas

[@glg1390]

Welcome to Epica World

[@markfrancis6886]

Pure gold, you are not wrong!

[@artiemeyer9988]

Epica- Santa Terra. You haven't lived until you hear the voices of Simone and Floor together. Not to mention the full orchestra and choir on stage...

[@JimGames]

Ok I'm officially excited!

[@jpstothard]

Please check out the Retrospec anniversary Concert, versions of Design Your Universe, Unleashed and of course Sancta Terra feat. Floor Jansen. 🤘👍

[@42nazgul]

Hi Jim Thank you for reacting to Epica. Greetings from Denmark

[@kimfabritiusdetengnagel2038]

If you go back to your Ayreon reaction - you will see Simone is on it - she has done a lot in the Ayreon Universe including the newest one. Floor and Simone have guestes each others band lots of times back in the days on tours and festivals - both are tough metal heads, but also with an emotional ability in their singing that are unique. Great vocalists and performers

[@MrSh0110]

Epica is an incredible. Please more! Check out this - Epica - Design Your Universe - retrospect live

[@theglanconer6463]

Yeaaaaaahhhhh wicked. Love from the Netherlands !!!!

[@pamf.3290]

Their name is so suitable. EPIC heavy symphonic metal. Great artists & brilliant senses of humour. Love how they control the Moshpit.🤘😎🤘😎🤘⭐ Notice @7.00, as Simone sings "Listen to your heart", how the 2 guitarists combine hands to make a 'love heart'.🤣🤣

[@JimGames]

They truly live up to their name

[@johnroberts1009]

A killer introduction to a great band. Keep the ride going. 😎

[@JimGames]

I sure will I need more Epica in my life.

[@adamnichol6761]

I love that the bass is really high in the mix in your reaction, and that you commented on the warm tones. It's often a lot more lost in the mix and against Simone and the visuals not the first thing anyone spots

[@itsnaxis349]

My second favorite band ever

[@bramvanrens91]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@marielaoquendorodriguez670]

You need more Epica, react to Design Your Universe live at Retrospect, they had a live orchestra and a live chorus in that concert ❤️❤️

[@wannabedane4046]

Epica, Simone Simons & Floor Jansen - Sancta Terra as recommended by many. Joseph Sordi has a good list below. In addition, from the retrospect concert 2013 - Chasing the Dragon: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqmQd6Z-drZ7ppo

[@TheIpadfanatic]

And Simone & Floor are very good friends because of course they are.

[@ladislaualbert2807]

Epica- very awesome too!! Check out Sancta Terra with Floor!

[@watchtheskies]

Hi Jim, check out Simone and Floor singing together at the Epica Retrospect concert, with a full Orchestra and Choir: Epica - Sancta Terra (feat Floor Jansen) Live Retrospect show epica - stabat mater dolorosa w/floor jansen (retrospect 10th anniversary dvd i)

[@pacmanpakkas]

Now you need Santa terra epica with floor

[@pacmanpakkas]

Auto correct made it sound a bit more festive

[@christophschmedes5975]

First happy Birthday to Simone Simons 2 simone is an Mezzo Soprano She starts her vocal studdy with 15 yers she is a big Nightwish Fan and after listen to ocanborn she starts her classical voice studdy and today she is one of the best sopanos in Metall her nic Name is Poisen Ivy her vouse go in to your Ears lile sweet poisen you can t stop head bang and your brain is meltet

[@leandrosalvatore]

I would recommend you check out Epica - design your univers (live retrospect)

[@sleeepwalk]

You need to take a look on the lyrics... It's awesome!

[@JimGames]

Good call! will do.

[@Socrates_1775]

Awesome reaction! This is just a reminder comment 😉. You've gotten Band-Maid, Baby Metal, Lovebites and X Japan out of the way, time to move on to more Japanese metal and rock. Here are a few suggestions: Maximum the Hormone - Yoshu Fukushu Unlucky Morpheus - Knight of the Sword Doll$Boxx - Shout Down Undead Corporation - Blow Band-Maid drummer Akane was inspired to learn to play drums after seeing the Maximum the Hormone drummer. Both Unlucky Morpheus and Doll$Boxx are fronted by the same singer but the two bands have different sounds. UM being melodic speed metal and Doll$Boxx being more of hard rock/funk. The guitarist for Undead Corporation is also a guitarist for Unlucky Morpheus. Also the drummer for Unlucky Morpheus is a past member of Undead Corporation (and Galneryus). He is featured in the video for Blow. Also, all of these bands have multiple vocalist 😁 Hope you get around to these 🤘😊🤘

[@pacmanpakkas]

Soooo yeah, floor sings with epica, sabatons drummer is floors husband, nightwish uses wintersun drummer. Pretty much all these bands are intertwined, so you get a lot of good collaborations

[@JimGames]

Cool!

[@itsnaxis349]

Epica is Symphonic metal correct. But they incorporate Death metal influences into a lot of their songs

[@JimGames]

Yup this is right up my ally! I cant wait to hear more!

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

7:46 everyone misses the French national anthem easteregg in the song lol

[@rileyxxxx]

Next Sancta Terra live pls

[@marichtjesilalahi7048]

More Epica and Babymetal please 🙏

[@kajakvisser]

Epica is amazing, but there are more great Dutch metalbands. You should definitly check out "Dear Mother" With their debut album "Bulletproof". They are a new dutch metalband formed by ex-Delain guitarist Merel Bechtold and ex-Delain drummer Joey de Boer. They teamed up with David "Pear" Hruska as their vocalist. Its realy worthwhile! I recently found them and bought the album right away, they're incredible! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYamiGWZlq1jpM0

[@duncanwyer2460]

Love the way he moves the keyboard around the stage 😂