Epica - The Skeleton Key (Singer-Songwriter First Time Reaction) What have I been waiting for!?

[@Roller4x4]

The retrospect show is awesomness! Including a full orchestra and choir. Epica-design your universe-retrospect show Epica-unleashed-retrospect show Epica-consign into oblivion-live at Zenith

[@conticontutti]

I love that you write your comments on the video instead of constantly pausing. Nice video

[@andyjonesofficial]

Thank you!

[@sonjaschweinsberger1637]

this is a typical song for Epica ....a part of crowling much orcester and choirs ....great chourus many melodis .....my favorit Synpho metal band jek out a Live performenc from the Retrospect show : Epica - Design Your Universe (Retrospect)

[@jaapblaauw3735]

Epica uses choirs and orchestration like no other band in their songs. Not to back the band up but incorporated in the songs.

[@charlesfuller4363]

Mark's are the only growls that I have come to love. Somehow it is different with Epica.

[@wannabedane4046]

Great first time reaction Andy. Epica is a fantastic band to react to. I believe you'll come to love them just as much as Nightwish - I know, I do! Their lyrics, mostly written by Mark and/or Simone are deep and give you things to think about. Pity you did not get to see the live stream - one of the best stream made during the pandemic. Just as an little appetizer for the last album Omega that was released this year: Originally, the album's title was "Omega Point" - and it is no coincidence that the song "Kingdom of Heaven" is the 8th on this 8th album and the number 8 is also included on the album cover art work - if you flip 8 to the side, it becomes the infinity symbol. Looking forward to your next Epica reaction ;o)

[@andyjonesofficial]

I was SO annoyed that I only found out about the live stream about 4 hours after it happened! I hope it'll be available to get hold of later. Looks like there's a whole Epica world to explore :-)

[@watchtheskies]

Hi Andy, Epica are touring Europe next year, I already have tickets to see them in Nottingham, can't wait, incredible band 😀

[@andyjonesofficial]

Will keep my eyes out! Just noticed they did a live stream today 🙈 too late!

[@alexie101010]

I would recommend listening to the Omega album (whether on your own time or as individual reactions). You would really love it! Their newest album was the perfect culmination of new and old Epica and I think you’d really enjoy it! Found your channel via the Epica discord, and enjoyed this reaction. Cheers!!

[@andyjonesofficial]

Ahhh great - glad to have found that discord!

[@redfielduniverse]

I would recommend listen to Design Your Universe, and other before you get to Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa with Floor. Get a feel for Epica before you go to the songs even the band says doesn't represent them. They are mainstream just to play so people get interested but that's usually not how they sound. Do masterpieces like the Kingdom of Heaven Part 1, 2, and 3. Design Your Universe, The Obsessive Devotion, Cry for the Moon, The Phantom Agony. Songs like that before Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa with Floor.

[@andyjonesofficial]

Design Your Universe seems to have a couple of votes - which version should I be looking at?

[@omarcguel9756]

@@andyjonesofficial live retrospect version

[@redfielduniverse]

@@andyjonesofficial Live at Retrospect, it's the best live recording.

[@ShadowhispersBand]

The video is done by Grupa13. They have very distict esthetics. Check out the videos from Behemoth, you'll recognize the style.

[@cancelled_user]

Dude, can you try Epica - Code of Life (Lyrics) from the same album? The last minute of Simone's vocals is pure eargasm :) Also, try an acoustic version of Dreamscape, for Simone's vocals! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ-1lX6OqZtqqLs

[@AnOldGreyDog]

Fun fact: Mark Jansen (no relation) is the only growler that Friar Guylain likes listening to because he appreciates the way they use the contrast. It's worth checking his analysis of the lyrics, too. I assume, since you say you've not listened to Epica, that you haven't yet heard _the_ duets with Floor? Sancta Terra and Stabat Mater Dolorosa. You seriously need to rectify that, if not.

[@redfielduniverse]

He really doesn't, he doesn't need to listen to the songs with Epica. Let him listen to Epica without Floor. People typical listen to Floor first. Let him get a feel for Epica with a couple songs before you request those two considering both Mark and Simone said it doesn't represent them. It's just a mainstream song let him do a song like Design Your Universe first then recommend it.

[@andyjonesofficial]

I've heard good things about the good Friar! As a Floor fan, I'm excited! It's on my list!

[@andyjonesofficial]

Not to worry - The Wolves Within is my next one (already recorded)... And I'll certainly be checking out more!

[@jaapblaauw3735]

@@andyjonesofficial Issue here is that those 2 Epica songs with Floor are not requested because of Epica. After you listened to those 2 songs most of the people that requested them are switching towards another band/ project called Ayreon and nothing from Epica anymore. I can exactly tell you the Ayreon songs that will be requested and why, it's a pattern. But it is your channel you can do as you please of course but if you want to know what Epica is all about those 2 songs are definitely not the ones to start with. Freedom - Wolves within is a better start.😉

[@cancelled_user]

@@jaapblaauw3735 Yeah exactly. They will recommend anything with Floor, not because of the band or the music. Btw, I personally find some music videos distracting and "Freedom" would be an example of that. I really don't like when people do music reactions, but they actually comment on videos and ignore the music (more or less).

[@rafaelsmerdoufranke6157]

Well, if you like choirs react to THERION, my friend, the pioneers of symphonic metal; their choirs are always the best (Epica are the second)...

[@andyjonesofficial]

Bold statement! I'll put them on my list!

[@rafaelsmerdoufranke6157]

@@andyjonesofficial Great, my friend; May I suggest "To Megatherion" (Wacken 2001), the first symphonic metal song released, to start with?... Greetings from Spain...

[@alljustbullshit5664]

Please React to: Morissette💐 - Could You Be Messiah (Official Music Video)kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZmsaXuCfMR9q68, this is the most beautiful voice and song i have ever heard,make goosebumps and hypnotize🎶💕

[@cshcats]

I don't know why but the growls (no matter how well done) just yank me out of the song. It's a shame since I really enjoy everything else about Epica. Simone's vocals, the composition and performance are amazing. And as others have mentioned her duets with Floor are a definite must watch.

[@redfielduniverse]

Not a must watch. Let him listen to another song before that one.

[@andyjonesofficial]

So a must watch but a few other songs first? 🤔

[@cshcats]

@@andyjonesofficial just think of them as a duet between Simone and Floor that happens to be accompanied by Epica and a full orchestra. The songs are not typical Epica for sure, at least from my limited exposure to them, but are definitely more in my wheel house.

[@redfielduniverse]

@@cshcats Yes they are not typical Epica at all. Mark and Simone have said that it doesn't represent them and the only reason they play it, is to get fans interested so they will be surprised when they hear the growling and heavy stuff.

[@redfielduniverse]

@@andyjonesofficial yes a couple other songs first. Don't get me wrong, the songs with Floor are good but Epica needs to be explored more before we get to that.