The Essence of Silence is the PERFECT Epica song. (Reaction)

[@andreaswennberg9542]

Hoping for a quiet song? 😂. Want a calmer and beautiful song? EPICA - Rivers (Live at the AFAS). Another amazing song 😁. And they are featuring Apocalyptica.

[@kaNjiXIII]

Yeeaa, that didn’t age well, I realised that around 10 seconds in hahaha. Thanks for recommending that, christmas is closing in, I’ll need a little bit of peace. 😂

[@nebulajumper6216]

"I hope it is going to be a quiet one .." Yep ..

[@kaNjiXIII]

@@nebulajumper6216 famous last words…

[@nebulajumper6216]

@kaNjiXIII Haha yes. Kinda 😁 I do love the enjoyment on your face with every new discovery.

[@kaNjiXIII]

@@nebulajumper6216I’m really enjoying all of that. And crazy enough, every part of it, the music of course, but also everything around it, recording, cutting, doing thumbnails and to talk to everyone who takes the time to comment on that. It’s really something I look forward to every day now. Something that was definitely missing for quite some time in my life.

[@nebulajumper6216]

@kaNjiXIII That's so great man. The whole package 😁 Maybe it's not feasable. But I would strongly suggest to experience/comment on the Omega Alive concert in one go. You can split it into vid sections, but that thing is best savored in sequence. And if it's difficult, only chain "Rivers" and "Once upon a nightmare" together. They flow really well into each other. These are more balad types and one of them is done a capella

[@PittDaddy]

One of their best ballads is Once Upon a Nightmare from the Omega Alive concert. Simone's voice is perfection. You definitely need to listen to Kingdom of Heaven Parts 1 and 3 from Omega Alive for 2 of their most complete pieces.

[@Dann66123]

Next song Kingdom of heaven part 1 & 3 (omega alive show 🤟)

[@kaNjiXIII]

At this point it has to be, yes. 😅 Still f***s with my OCD that there’s no 2nd part (of course there is, but apparently no good live recording)

[@andreaswennberg9542]

Part 2 is a good song with no music/live video, and it is in the middle of two master peaces. Bad please to be for a good song, miss it sometimes.

[@wildhoney126]

if you are interested listen to the studio version of this song it is different. in the studio version Simone is not singing as high in the chorus as in the live version. but it is the live version that gives a rollercoaster feeling when listening, from Simone’s very high note to the very bottom with mark's growling, this break down after each chorus is masterfully done well. well and the main break down and the solo after it is my favorite part of the song. another short but heavy and fast song is "victims of contingency", it has a video clip in which Simone looks great, and there is a version from the online covid concert "omega alive" in 2021. but if you want to listen to something more atmospheric and cool, then this is "ascension dream state armageddon" official lyric video (with concert footage, very well done) - this song just blows your mind in 5 minutes. I really like Simone's vocals in it, it's.. a bit sinister. And that black metal breakdown is just 😈

[@kaNjiXIII]

I listen to the studio version when I’m on the subway or train. :) I really just love the song and I keep listening and watching the live video for when I can focus on it. ☺️ It’s so crazy that there are still new songs mentioned to me, there catalogue seems endless and I’m pretty happy about that. 😂 Thank you so much for your recommendations

[@Dmitriy88S]

ascension! such a great song

[@wildhoney126]

@ this is their dark masterpiece. Never get tired of this song 👍 she deserves much more recognition in their discography

[@BadassBananaBroodje]

The most beautiful and mesmerizing ballad EPICA released is called "Tides Of Time". Ones you've heard this masterpiece, you will fully agree with me. I will send you the following link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ-aZ2iqf9qUpacsi=hfMeJT-AJv4956O6

[@kaNjiXIII]

Thanks so much. ☺️ I still need a real ballad from them and I’m very convinced they are really capable to write and perform great ballads. ❤

[@Dmitriy88S]

+ + +

[@elwinvanrosmalen2222]

When I was diagnosed with tinitus and got on the car this was the first song spotify played, you never forget…

[@kaNjiXIII]

Sorry to hear that, will it get better? I had a tinnitus for around 7 years. At some point it was just gone.

[@elwinvanrosmalen2222]

@ it comes and goes, stress seems to be a factor so listening to Epica helps…😉

[@kaNjiXIII]

Stress is definitely a factor, but I love that Epica helps against stress, maybe I should tell my therapist. xD

[@irenetorres6778]

This is my favorite epica song. I recommend another of my favorites, “Victims of contingency” from the same album.

[@kaNjiXIII]

And I can see why. It easily became one of my favorites as well. Looking forward to it. :D

[@elwinvanrosmalen2222]

By the way, the mice-stand, of course the “S” from Simone Simons…

[@aesbj9228]

Yep I couldn't agree more - the transition out of that guitar solo is seamless. Next I want to suggest either Chasing the Dragon (Live Retrospect) or Rivers featuring Apocalyptica. Both have Simone's vocals more prominent, but Chasing the Dragon is a bit more of a rollercoaster.

[@RoseForEverafter]

I know you said you were hoping for a quieter one, but watching your face light up when the guitars came in was everything! The Essence of Silence is absolutely one of my favorite songs from their discography. It just has a perfect balance of everything. Your comment about 9 years ago being 2008 is also so real 😭 If you do wanna hear some “quieter” ones though, there’s Rivers (live at AFAS live ft Apocalyptica), Tides of Time, and Dreamscape-this acoustic version is my particular favorite kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJm8oHyQhKd1nbcsi=_iuLPhQ5BWPyAxs8

[@mikedown3219]

The song is about silencing the voices in your head. Music written by the drummer, Arien Van Weesenbeek, the lyrics I think were written by Simone.

[@rikarch]

You need to go back to the 10th Anniversary Retrospective concert. It has everything that is amazing about Epica. I would start with "Serenade of Self Destruction" then "Sancta Terra" because I know you love Floor. Of course Rivers at AFIS and Once Upon a Nightmare from Omega Alive are incredible.

[@kaNjiXIII]

I think first of all I have to get to the Kingdom of Heaven pt. 1 & 3 videos, otherwise I get lynched. xD But a song with Floor is also something to look forward to. :)

[@rikarch]

@@kaNjiXIII I wanted to add that my wife and I really enjoy your reaction videos and musical choices. We are looking forward to the 'Kingdom' reactions.

[@kaNjiXIII]

That comment really made my day. :') Thank you. It's a bit surreal for me, that you two, together, enjoy something that I'm doing, especially something that makes me happy. Thank you so much for telling me that.

[@rnowak85]

Great Reaction! My favorite "heavy" Epica song. I love the way Simone's voice just flows and swells and teh choir's are just fantastic. For something more quiet but a little off the usual path is the song Solitary Ground. A beautiful ballad from their second album. About two years ago Epica released remastered versions of alot of their early music videos so make sure you look for the remastered version. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKmpcqynn9JmnpIsi=iUHQeyeTlkU7olca. Released in 2005 you get to see a very young Simone ( I think she was about 20). The video is so beautiful but I also love this acoustic performance from Pinkpop in 2010. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4O0npiknN55Z6ssi=P0hTaHt48LHi8pf_ This is a remastered version of their 4 song acoustic performance by Metallwish who does really high quality work. The performance is on an intimate small stage during the festival. It starts with Tides of Time, one of their most beautiful ballads and a song I have already picked to be played at my funeral. Solitary Ground is second (5:35). Followed by Quietus (10:50) and This is the Time (15:10).

[@MJ-xi5jg]

Her mic stand is shaped as the letter S......Simone Simons 😁

[@kaNjiXIII]

FML, if that's true, it's the best and dumbest thing I ever heard and I love it. That's so good hahaha

[@william.rondinelli]

Hey man, i really like your reaction videos. Congrats! Maybe you should check out Epica - Once Upon a Nightmare (Omega Live). I can assure that you're really gonna love it

[@socialist_elmo]

Should do one from their first album

[@Dmitriy88S]

too short song

[@kaNjiXIII]

True, if there's anything 'bad' about that song, it's that it is too short.

[@renataberman]

You need listen "Therion"

[@wildhoney126]

Variability?)) Continue and you will even hear jazz performed by them and much more 😁