The 'accent' would be because they are from The Netherlands. EPICA are a symphonic metal band, founded in 2002 by guitarist , and harsh vocalist, Mark Jansen, after parting with his former band After Forever. Lead singer is Simone Simons, 17 in 2002, she switched to this style of singing in training , from pop, after hearing original Nightwish lead singer Tarja Turunen. Coen Janssen on keys is the other original member left. Today's lineup, seen here, has been constant since 2012, Isaac Delahaye on lead guitar, Arien van Weesenbeek on drums, and bassist Rob van der Loo. 8 full albums , and several EP's to date, album #9 is in the works. Mark had co-founded After Forever, which is the first band Floor Jansen (current Nightwish) joined at age 16, Mark and Floor aren't related. This performance was during the 2021 Omega Alive virtual concert, filmed over 5 days and streamed online together. Done when they couldn't tour due to restrictions. First time they got to play songs from the 8th album Omega, which includes this song. The contrast of Simone's clean and Mark's harsh vocals, are sometimes referred to as Beauty and the Beast. Most times the choir is on track, but they have done a few show with choir and orchestra on stage, with a few more scheduled for this fall. This concert did feature a children's choir on a couple songs, including "The Skeleton Key" You both asked "What is that", 'that' is Coen's portable keyboard, a Revo-1 Curveboard made by Nu-Motion in Montreal Canada. He has taken it crowd surfing before, including at the 2022 20th anniversary concert.

Hi Ladies, welcome to the wonderful world of EPICA, no other band sounds like EPICA, they are simply phenomenal, the Orchestra and Choirs feature heavily in their music, a truly Symphonic Metal band, be prepared to be blown away every time you see this band 🙃

Glad you liked it! There is a plenty more to explore with Epica

Yes, Simone's voice is really beautiful! And now you might want to see their softer side. They have numerous wonderful ballads. Try this one: Epica - Tides Of Time (lyrics)

Orchestra and choir elements in are usually played as background tracks in symphonic metal performances, as it is quite prohibitive to take along a orchestra and choir everywhere on tour. I say usually, because there have been instances where there was an actual orchestra and choir with them. Check out anything from their 'Retrospect' show if you want to see that.

Recommend giving Epica - Twin Flames (Retrospect) a try if you want to hear Simone singing like a Disney Princess. A beautiful song.

Great Reaction .I can tell you from my own experience that Epica is such a great band, I've seen Coen play this curved keyboard 5 times now and every time he's gone into the audience with it, just like Mark, the whole band is very close to their fans.

Yes!!! So happy you two enjoy watching Epica 🖤 kind of new to your channel and I love y'all reactions. Epica is my all time Favorite band. I hope you continue the Epican journey, you will not be disappointed. It's a need and a must to watch their 10th Anniversary Retrospect concert then you'll see the choir and orchestra of their music truly alive, then their Omega Alive online concert that was during the Is pandemic that they themselves put all of their investments into this show all at once live with no Is interruptions of their show and it is happened to be on their KZfaq channel was just uploaded recently, another news update they had their 20th Anniversary concert but not unloaded yet, and now this year 2024 they are having their Live orchestra and choir show again in two locations in the world. Have a wonderful day and can't wait to see what y'all find next;) 🤘🏽🖤

They are from the Netherlands apart from the lead guitarist Isaac (with the manbun), who is Belgian. It's frightening the quality of the female metal singers from that country: Simone, Floor Jansen, Anneke van Giersbergen, Charlotte Wessels, Sharon den Adel, Dianne (van Giersbergen) (no relation to Anneke)...the list is almost endless.

Hi Ladies, here is a song from a concert last year in Amsterdam, an epic performance 🙃 EPICA - Unleashed (Live At The AFAS Live)

A nice one to see a few of the ladies mentioned is Sirens (Simone, Myrkur and Charlotte Wessels)

Greetings from the world of symphonic metal! This is not the norm that we have here in the U.S.A. this is a world of poetry, ancient kingdoms and realms and music this more than 4 minutes long. Simone is a siren amongst sirens. Well collaborated and composed of music! This rabbit hole that whiched you have entered is only just the beginning. Next on your list ( if you haven't yet) Nightwish! Trust me you won't leave!🎼🌹🌹

This song is impressive, definitely. An awesome composition on their style 💥

The choir parts would be pre-recorded. They do get musicians and choirs into the studio to record live sessions for their albums and, almost certainly, they would use those recordings in their live performances such as this. This Omega Alive show was their live stream recorded during Covid. They recorded the show over five days to incorporate the elaborate set changes but each song was a one take live recording which makes the quality even more remarkable. You should also check out stuff from their 10th anniversary Retrospect show from 2013. A 3 hour concert with full orchestra and choir, it has pretty much everything. Here are a few suggestions… Unleashed (start here, symphonic metal at it’s best)- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qN6Uadapsd7Iqac.html Chasing the Dragon (with sub-titles) (power ballad) - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rtyTkrqJx7zOcas.html Presto (classical instrumental duet between solo violinist and Epica’s lead guitarist) - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oaqjiM2TtL6XqJs.html Stabat Mater Dolorosa (13th century latin hymn, duet between lead singer Simone and Floor Jansen) - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pM6kgrKDvrqrqGw.html Delirium (soft ballad) - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fKeJg6eXmMDPYWg.html The Divine Conspiracy (great collaboration with the orchestra)- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l5aEqdWlztS2h4k.html Design Your Universe (closing number, spectacular) - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b9Scg9teravUc4k.html

Great reaction ladies! Along with Nightwish they are my two favorite bands. Epica is darker and heavier and also more symphonic. Simone's voice is stunningly beautiful. Another Metal Disney Princess. As another commenter mentioned you should checkout her cover of Part of Your World from Little Mermaid. She is a real life Ariel! Epica has a great diversity of styles from epic metal masterpieces like this, to beautiful ballads where Simone's voice really shines, to gorgeous acoustic versions of their songs. Since you seem to like the heavier stuff you should checkout their usual show closer, Consign to Oblivion live at the Zenith in Paris, and Essence of Silence live from Brussels. Later is one of my favorite Epica songs. Two of my other favorite Epica songs are Once Upon a Nightmare, live from this same Omega Alive livestream, and Sirens- of Blood and Water music video, a darker version of the original Hans Christian Andersen tale of the Little Mermaid which is already darker then the Disney version. That version also includes tow other guest female singers, Charlotte Wessels (ex Delain) and Myrkur (Danish Black Metal and Nordic Folk singer, she is super cool, like that strange artsy girl from high school).

You should definitely watch some of their Retrospect show with the full orchestra and choir for the full Epica experience. Any track would do, they don’t do ordinary only EPIC.

On part of Metallica's most recent US tour, Epica was their opening act. Getting some much needed US exposure.

Perhaps Simone 's best performance is the ballad Rivers feat. Apocalyptica at AFAS. It will take your breath away

Love epica .❤❤❤❤

Her (Simone Simons) reminds you of a Disney Princesses voice? Well, listen to her rendition of Disney's The Little Mermaid *_"Part Of Your World_* : kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bbNiacmB1KuYc5s.html

EPICA EPICA EPICA EPICA EPICA

I had seen them in tiny Montpellier club in November 2008 and they were awesome.

Thank you, beautiful ladies, for Epica! 🌀🌀🌀🙏🙏🙏

lovely reaction

epica unleashed live official video violins an choir for you

choir is 99% pre recorded. (there are videos where they play a song with choirs and backing vocals etc. so its not fake) some of there live events they have an acutual ochestra. like alll the strings and the choir !! watch that Epica retrospect. and this summer a new one with the same !

Great reaction ladies. Wintersun Alex❄️🌹🫶❤️

🤘

This is one exemple of why I have a slight preference for EPICA compared to Nightwish. I love both bands, but EPICA is so talented and they love to experiment. This album has a lot of cool songs and clips to go through, but there is so much more to discover. You just opened one of the most interesting doors in music.

nightwish everdream

Simone and Floor are some of the most highly trained female vocalists today. You really need to do Epica "Sancta Terra" it's a duet.

Floor Jansen of Nightwish & Simone lead vocal of Epica used to be roommates & Floor was her vocal coach at one time, Epica is like Nightwish's heavier cousin .

Im wishing that you will take my suggestions that I gave you for epicas sister band wintersun that I gave you but I haven't gotten your reply yet. But it's ok I'll give you that list again. First is wintersun sons of winter and stars 1.5 lyric official video. Next is wintersun time live rehearsal video at Sonic pump studios in Helsinki Finland. Next is wintersun land of snow and sorrow live rehearsal video. If you love epica youll love wintersun. So let me know and send me a reply back. Thank you wintersun Alex ❄️🌹🫶❤️

If you like this try outliers by aviation. It's proggy goodness.

Nederland echt ❤❤❤

Dalas you are the evening cloud that wanders the sky of my dreams, with the longings of my love I give you color and shape, you are mine, mine, you who dwell in my endless dreams, my heart, the bird of the wild has found its own heaven in your beautiful eyes ♥️♥️♥️