Lost for words... Reacting to a LEGENDARY Symphonic Metal Concert with Twitch Chat

[@watchtheskies]

There really is no other band like EPICA, such an original and unique sound 🙃

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

lol nice yeah

[@wildhoney126]

Epica decided to do something special for their fans, on a grand scale for this genre, a beautifully filmed and spectacular show. Something that will remain in the memory, and not just an ordinary concert. Surprisingly, there were those who began to accuse them of the fact that this is not a live broadcast, but a pre-recording, so it cannot be called an online concert. But this is impossible to organize in a live broadcast. Changing scenes, decorations and other things - this concert was filmed in parts over several days. Everything is so cool that until about the song "Rivers" I doubted the live sound 😁 but when the camera began to film only Simone in close-up - there was no doubt, this is live sound. Yes, there were some unsuccessful takes (including the one with the burning piano), the guys talked about this in an interview afterwards, and some moments (for example, with the rain) were edited, of course, you can criticize them for this, but personally I think they did everything right, because this show, unlike many unremarkable online concerts of other bands, remained in the memory of fans and they constantly re-watch it.

[@damianvc31]

Haters gonna hate, but this show will remain in memory as you said I have nothing against the other bands honestly, they did what they could in difficult times, but this was another level and they deserve the recognition

[@frank1963]

@@wildhoney126 well said, I totally agree 100 %. 🤘👋

[@russull5589]

I love all the love Mark's getting from you and chat and comments. Man picked up the whole dang genre where Theatre of Tragedy left off after their first two albums, started After Forever and helped launch Floor's career, then started Epica and helped launch Simone's. His artistic vision is so strong and specific and consistent and...good? Wholesome? I could talk myself into some happy tears about this dude but honestly his career speaks for itself.

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Dude is a genius and has the career to back it up. Was really cool seeing him introduce their numbers in “We will take you with us” it was clear he was proud of the work

[@joppepeelen]

i agree, i dont know why some are always bitching about mark not getting low enough, his higher pitches grawls/screams are perfect !

[@eduardogutierrez8598]

Almost 15 years ago I exchange my bachelor party to be in Epica Concert for the first time a week before my wedding (because my wife knows the only person I love besides her is Simone). Still happilly married and a fan of this great band. I Never regret

[@nightgoblin29]

The song Cry for the Moon wil stil rock after 100 years :) And if you want a good Twitch stream I recommend the Live at Paradiso concert from them... Young Epica but amazing )

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Oohhh yeah! Nice! I think I’m gonna do all nightwish this week (been chomping at the bit) but that’s a great idea for a future one

[@rolsen1304]

Friday 20th September Epica has another streamed show, with full orchestra!

[@thebutcherp]

just returned home from it and it was freaking good

[@joppepeelen]

@@thebutcherp hihi i bought the leave stream in the train home from the concert and ripped the live stream for my own use the day after. wont post it. and enjoy it myself until the the blue ray comes out :)

[@frank1963]

Thank you so much Charlie for doing this whole concert and putting it on KZbin. I’m an older guy and I don’t know anything about twitch! 😂 I was watching it during a 3 hour train ride which made the trip a lot more enjoyable. Looking forward to all the breakdowns of this concert. I am going to get my stuff together to travel to Amsterdam for both Epica concerts tomorrow and Friday. Enjoy the livestream and remember I’ll be standing in the front row wearing an EPICA T-shirt so you can easily pick me out from the rest of the crowd! 😂

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Okay so I’ll be looking for FRONT ROW and Epica T-shirt! LOL thanks Frank :)

[@smeg4brainsukaya]

Enjoying watching this after attending the Symphonic Synergy, there is a large orchestral/Epica shaped hole in my heart atm.

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Glad to hear it smeg

[@PittDaddy]

Charlie, Thanks for posting this! It is the best "live" concert I've ever seen. I remember watching the NW pandemic concert and this was far better. Pop people have no idea what they are missing. Their music is at the level of some of the best-written classical composers. And their performances are incredible. I saw Epica in 2022 when they were on tour with Sabaton. They are just wonderful performers. I can't wait until Friday!

[@ImmortalDecember]

Yes, Omega Alive is an amazing experience. However, to be fair, it is fundamentally different from Nightwish's "Islander's Arms" livestream, which is 100% live, no post, set in front of a green screen. In comparison, this is more like a live concert music video, with all the glory of editing and post production, but of course unlike music videos there's no "fake playing your instruments/lipsyncing" silliness lol. I agree as a finished product, Epica's is more rewatchable; they have been championing the most ambitious symphonic metal live act - The Classical Conspiracy, Retrospect, and the upcoming Symphonic Synergy take months and years of work to prepare with the live orchestra and choir.

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

I also watched the NW concert and I wish I caught this one. I won’t lie, NW is really close to my heart, but there’s such a wonderful contrast in the genre with Epica. Well said to compare it to the classical greats. It’s like putting Strauss and Mahler next to each other. Contemporaries with vastly different stories and meaning in their music. Really fun to explore :)

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Agreed! And while I am really critical of the integrity of performances, I think it’s always important to consider the “gesamtkunstwerk” where everything that goes into a performance INCLUDING the cinematography and editing choices and how they supplement the music. Very cool comparison

[@ImmortalDecember]

@CharlieCalottaReacts I concur. I think the NW and Epica livestream shows represent 2 variations on how an online concert may take form. NW prioritized a virtual experience as close to a real-time live show as possible, with a backdrop of your imagination. Epica aimed to give the viewer a well-directed concert movie, maximizing the cinematic value.

[@kjvail]

In all conscience may be the most incredible vocal performance I’ve seen in any genre

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Like I said in the end, that whole tryptic is an amazing artistic presentation

[@AM501]

Epica is the greatest band for me,from the Balads to the heaviest songs, the amazing symphonic synergy in Amsterdam,the 1000 show evening in Tilberg with the great bands like Mayan (you might like Rebirth from despair) mirkur, Lacuna Coil and many more

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Great recs, thank you

[@OliBP]

Yes yes YES!! That was awesome! Really glad you did it!

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Was really fun :)

[@andreaswennberg9542]

How have i missed this reaction on my favorite concert 😮. I know what im doing the next 1,5h 😁.

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Have fun! I know I did :) gonna be trickling out analyses from this live stream too.

[@andreaswennberg9542]

@@CharlieCalottaReacts Thank you for giving me another wonderful experience with this performance. Love that they bring all the art and make it both an experience with eyes and ears. Was it Bach you named with the statement that pure art is with all the senses? Well totally agree. Thats why this is my favorite performance. 😁

[@andreaswennberg9542]

Wagner. Took a second listening

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Yeah, Wagner was all about combining all art forms for the stage, and it has impacted the current state of opera immensely. The visuals, portrayals, and creative twisting of old text for contemporary audience is all part of that

[@demoremda]

nice one, i love this concert

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

best band ever, greetz from the Netherlands 🤘😎🤘

[@wishmaster0390]

I am just about to start my shift, but I will definitely watch this later. I did not know you were going to react to this concert. Thank you.

[@bigg2988]

Look man... I like you and value your Classical creds. But I LOVED you the moment you said (during "The Obsessive Devotion"): "She pulled the Tosca!" Just the moment I was thinking that. A meeting of minds. :] Anyone oblivious to the reference, of course go google Tosca! The music is fire, the libretto may have you in tears. \m/

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

I’ll never forget the second production of Tosca I was in, standing next to our leading soprano as she cried out one of the most amazing high B’s I’ve ever heard and while sustaining the note just fell back onto the mat behind the set, holding the note and it naturally decayed as she fell unreal theatricality. So happy to see amazing artists like Simone pull off such an amazing theatrical stunt

[@RoseForEverafter]

I wonder if you caught the live stream for the Symphonic Synergy show 👀 I was there and it was the most incredible thing ever! I really want you to hear Tides of Time from it

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

I did catch it! Waiting for some public vids and then I’ll do some analyses. Amazing concert!

[@RoseForEverafter]

My view was pretty far back but I did video the whole thing. Maybe I’ll upload mine! I’m definitely hoping that they’ll release at least a couple official videos if not a concert dvd, since the whole thing was professionally recorded for the live stream anyway

[@RoseForEverafter]

*the whole performance of Tides of Time, not the whole show lol

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Yeah I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes with a bootleg yknow?

[@MLint]

tomorrow EPICA in Amsterdam 🤘🤘🤘

[@2112666123]

Yeah 2 of the band members have music degrees WOW THEY PAID ATTENTION!!!

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

they sure did haha

[@watchtheskies]

Coen, Arien, Isaac and Rob have a batchelors degree in music, Mark has a masters degree in psychology

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

This doesn’t surprise me in the slightest

[@kenwill-jp8xw]

What a voice and she doesn't need to be near naked to draw an audience.

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Jeeeeze… 👀🙄

[@stuartmcivor2276]

One of my two all time favourite music DVDs (the other is Ayreon Universe).

[@damianvc31]

I'd add Epica's Retrospect and NW's Wacken 2013 too

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Wacken 2013 is like... ultra legendary. We streamed it live here during lockdown. SO fun.

[@markfrancis6886]

Roll on Friday, well worth the trip from Bristol.

[@paulbathe1]

Attending from Redcar, north East England can't wait

[@Okprev]

this concert is too good

[@Fingolfin3340]

Happy for your comeback to reactions always loved them. And with my fav band epica and female singer Simone i could not help but to feel happyness from this. Dunno if u did it, but i recommend you to do the Retrospect show from 2012 even if you reacted to a good amount of songs cause it is a show to watch. Not obligated for a reaction but for your own pleasure. I watch it at least once a year and it always amaze me. If i had to choose a song to show something i think you never saw from simone it is her grit she uses (not a lot but you will hear them for sure) in serenade of self destruction. You should totaly hear tides of times. And remeber you heard about a singer i love and is not really known Emily Ragni whom you heard in Luca Turillis Rhapsody Prometheus song you did years ago. (she was the soprano) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bImwfZ-agLGVbLc And it is her doing imagine from Lennon a total different kind of song but you can see another part of her. I saw she became a pro soprano in classical in france it seems. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYmXh6d6fdKHa9k Same here free to do a reaction but think you will enjoy it for a personal fun since you loved her perf in the master of rock video you saw. And happy you will see some of Simone solo work too. Have fun here bro lot of love from France.

[@samuelengle3773]

Simone 1000% should've been Ariel in the live action Little Mermaid. And yes there is video of her doing Part of Your World.

[@CharlieCalottaReacts]

Agreed

[@DerHerr-ni2wr]

🤘🤘🤘