EPICA Reaction I Storm The Sorrow I FIRST TIME Wacthing

[@RoseForEverafter]

Always happy to see new Epica fans be born! Storm the Sorrow is a classic and one of my favorites, but you’ll be surprised to realize it’s considered one of their lighter, more radio-friendly hits compared to most of their discography! I’m sure other people have already mentioned their history and other facts, so I’ll just add that they are my absolute FAVORITE band to see live and you’ll see why as you continue on your reaction journey. Simone is so stunning and charismatic, and the whole band is always full of energy and looks like they’re having the best time on stage. True masters of performance.

[@RambergReacts]

This was such a amazing song and video. Simone was truly stunning and her voice is something else. I'm looking forward to react to more and can't wait for the first live. Thank you so much for your comment and kind words❤️✨

[@watchtheskies]

Hi Ramberg, here is EPICA right up to date, this is a new song, performed live in September last year in Amsterdam, an epic performance 🙃 EPICA - Arcana (Live at The Symphonic Synergy)

[@RambergReacts]

Hi! Thank you- you’re not alone in recommending Arcana, so it seems like a good call🫶🏻⚡️

[@chriso6719]

EPICA are Dutch. Formed in 2002 by guitarist, and harsh vocalist, Mark Jansen, after parting ways with his former band After Forever. Lead singer is Simone Simons, she was 17 in 2002, and switched her training from pop to this style ,after hearing Tarja with Nightwish. Coen Janssen on keyboards is the only other original member remaining. The rest of the current lineup, which has been constant since 2012, consists of guitarist Isaac Delahaye (the only Belgian), drummer Arien van Weesenbeek, and bassist Rob van der Loo. Mark had co founded After Forever, which was the first band Floor Jansen joined at age 16 (Floor and Mark are not related). Mark adds some harsh vocals to a lot of songs, but they do have some beautiful ballads with just Simone singing. 8 albums and several EP's to date, Album #9 should be out sometime this year. This song is from the 2012 5th album ,Requiem For Indifferent. Simone wrote the lyrics, she and Coen wrote the music on this one. They are great live too. For more, suggest "Consign to Oblivion" live at the Zenith in Paris 2017. "Code of Life" and the ballad "Rivers" (feat Apocalyptica) both live in Amsterdam 2023 at AFAS Live. "Design Your Universe" live from the Retrospect 10th anniversary 2013 show, with full orchestra and choir. Also at the 2013 show, you may want to check out "Sancta Terra" (featuring Floor).

[@RambergReacts]

Thank you so much for the intro of Epice! It's such a cool and impressive set of people in this band. I loved this one. If you should just pick one for my next Epica-reaction- which song would you choose (and I'll react to that one).

[@chriso6719]

@@RambergReacts I would suggest you go with "Code of Life" live in Amsterdam at AFAS Live. It's a song from the 8th album Omega.

[@RambergReacts]

@@chriso6719 Cool! This is the way ✨

[@wildhoney126]

They have a lot of great songs. And they are absolutely gorgeous. I highly recommend their latest single "Arcana", the live version

[@RambergReacts]

I agree wholeheartedly and I'll note that Arcana is a reaction-candidate! ✨

[@erwinmulder1338]

This song has the most views, but is by far the most 'poppy' song they they have.

[@RambergReacts]

Got it! I loved this "poppy" song😍🖤

[@mikedown3219]

Glad you have found Epica, their music videos are great but Epica are best seen live. Live they are amazing. Epica are a Dutch symphonic metal band, the singer is Simone Simons. You will no doubt get many song recommendations but I will just suggest checking out live performances from their many shows through their career. From their very early days, a live studio session from 2004 titled “We will take you with us”. From 2006 Live at the Paradiso, from 2013 their 10th anniversary show, titled Retrospect with full orchestra and choir. From 2017 live at the Zenith. 2021 they did a livestream (during the pandemic) called Omega Alive, which is jaw dropping. From 2023 Live at the AFAS Live, which is an arena in Amsterdam and from 2024, from the same arena, the live Symphonic Synergy show with full orchestra and choir. You can’t go wrong with any songs from any of these shows. Enjoy the ride

[@RambergReacts]

You're selling it so well that I can't wait for summer to arrive! I would love to see them live. I'll check out songs from the recommended shows!✨

[@grahambatchelor3576]

Hi Ramberg.... Greetings from Indonesia again. So, you've found another rabbithole. You'll be looking for further recommendations then. I'd suggest, 'Once Upon a Nightmare' and 'Kingdom of Heaven Pt3' both from Omega Live (filmed during covid). Then we have 'Consigned to Oblivion' live at AFAS, 'Rivers' featuring Apocalyptica again live at AFAS and just one more to get you started.....'The Skeleton Key'. Try those if you will......Enjoy!

[@RambergReacts]

Hello again, Graham! I love the title "Once upon a Nightmare" ✨I'll never be bored again my entire life after I began reacting and going down several rabbit hole. Who are your top 5 bands?

[@RoseForEverafter]

@@RambergReacts gotta second the rec for Once Upon A Nightmare! The Omega Alive show is a pinnacle of live performance and that song is just mind blowing.

[@grahambatchelor3576]

Not in any particular order (due to the age of some bands etc,) but 5 has to include Nightwish, Epica, Sabaton, Pink Floyd and The Strawbs.

[@RambergReacts]

@@RoseForEverafter Thank you for that specific recommendation 🙏🏻

[@RambergReacts]

@@grahambatchelor3576 I was bottle-fed Pink Floyd. My dad made family videos on his 8 mm and always used Pink Floyd music as background music. My entire extended family of 45 + members are Pink Floyd fans!😅

[@christophschmedes5975]

I here Epica for over 20years 🤘 🤘 🤘

[@RambergReacts]

That's awesome!! ✨

[@christophschmedes5975]

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

[@RambergReacts]

How cool is that! Love that she found the right band at such a young age and that she stayed!

[@robertocortez2124]

I want to suggest you a great live performance by Epica: Sancta Terra (Retrospect 10th anniversary) Feat Floor Jansen You will love every song by this epic band

[@RambergReacts]

Cool! Thank you! Would be great to see Floor with another band!🌟

[@reiniertroost1650]

If you want more symphonic metal bands to react to, check out Within Temptation. Also Dutch and well known. I would recommend "Don't pray for me".

[@RambergReacts]

Thank you for that recommendation! I appreciate it🙏🏻⚡️

[@rnowak85]

Enjoyed the reaction to my other favorite symphonic metal band. Epica is Nightwish's heavier, more symphonic Dutch cousin to Nightwish. Song is one of their more commercial/radio friendly songs. Very good but different from many of their songs. Lyrics by Simone. From her SmoonStyle blog, "Storm the sorrow deals about all the negative criticism which everyone has to deal with in their life. Everybody has something to say about everyone and a lot of criticism comes from jealousy and envy. Besides being criticized by the public, you're also criticizing yourself. It is a struggle within and you alone can fight it." Epica can go pretty heavy but they also have some gorgeous ballads where Simone's beautiful voice really shines and they also have some nice acoustic versions of their songs. I would recommend Arcana or the Ghost in Me from their recent Symphonic Synergy concert with full orchestra and choir on stage. Later song was in collaboration with the opening of a new attraction at the Efteling amusement park in the Netherlands. The new ride is called Danse Macabre and the song incorporates melodies from the 19th century symphonic poem of the same name. I also love the music video for the Ghost in Me as it was filmed in the new attraction and was released on Halloween of this year in conjunction with the opening of the ride. For another symphonic metal/gothic metal band I would like to recommend Blackbriar. Dutch band with a very unique and beautiful female lead singer. Arms of the Ocean is a good first listen.

[@RambergReacts]

That is a great description of this band! i wished that I knew the background for the song as this is such a relevant topic for me. Maybe that's why I resonated immediately with this Storm The Sorrow. Thank you for he recommendation too- love the name Blackbriar. It's like gold popping up in front of me everywhere🪙🎼😍

[@XxxRsb]

Terra sancta..😊

[@XxxRsb]

Your mind will explode

[@RambergReacts]

It’s always a good sign when several is suggesting the same song!

[@LarsKoehler]

Well, Sancta Terra is where Nightwish Army and Epicans will meet each other…

[@DerHerr-ni2wr]

🤘🤘