So happy that you did this one! Thank you so much :)

Don't worry about the haters. If the want a reaction video with few pauses for some "Wow, that's cool" "How did he do that" there's plenty of them around. Your pauses to break down what they're doing is why we're here.

If you don't like the pauses type in EPICA (The Essence Of Silence) and look for a version without a reactor. Problem solved.

When your name is Simone Simons you’ve got to have an S shaped microphone stand.

Epica have legit pits,black metal dudes think this is "chick metal"😆 saw them twice this year,one pit was top five of my life 🤘😎🤘 I'm talking 35 yrs of metal 🤘

For what little it is worth, 'Epica' is what got me into Symphonic Metal. I was Googling something and it brought up a picture of Epica onstage, outdoors, daytime. I look at the picture and I'm like "WTF, there's a super--model fronting a heavy metal band. What the hell is up with that?" So I went to KZfaq and watched a couple of videos and liked them. So, I bought their latest CD, which, at that time, was "The Quantum Enigma" and loved that. Buying more of their albums got me the "Retrospect" video where I discovered Floor Jansen. Floor Jansen led me to Nightwish. Nightwish led me to Tarja Turunen. Tarja led me to Within Tempation {Paradise (What About Us?)}. Within Temptation led me to Delain ( Martijn Westerholt). Oh, and also throw in Amaranthe (Simone Simons -> Kamelot -> Elize Ryd -> Aramanthe). And now I'm happy that I've discovered great music again. :-)

Just want to add.. The choir was real here and not pre-recorded track. They were placed behind because the orchestra and the choir members together were more to be placed on stage. This is why we couldn't see them.

And then, after you've been turned to mush by Floor and Simone, you need to complete the quartet of Dutch goddesses with Sharon and Anneke - Somewhere from the Black Symphony concert.

A lot of folks will say to go to Sancta Terra with Floor, but to be honest, I'd say one of the best showcases of everything Epica is and has to offer would be Kingdom of Heaven. Just a pure rollercoaster and masterpiece. Great analysis on this video and really enjoyed your reactions!

If you're ever interrested in hearing Floor singing with a band like Epica, look for After Forever, Floors first band. The founder of Epica was part of After Forever before he left so it's very similar. I think Epica is even heavier and After Forever is a bit more melodic, but similar enough. Look for Dreamflight, Energize me and Monolith Of Doubt. They will blow you away for sure.

And that's why these "songs" will never be played on popular radio stations. It's not something that you can easily listen to in the background while you do something else. That is something you need to sit down for, blend out all other distractions and embrace the music.

To quote one of your other subscribers;

The Obsessive Devotion!!! you will LOVE IT

Imagine now, if you will, Simone there sharing a stage with Floor.

Here for Simone my darling 😍 Happy birthday to the kind gentleman who requested this. Seeing Simone just made my day haha. And PAUSE AS MANY AS YOU LIKE. So I can see Simone hahaha

That expression, 100% the face of everyone I've introduced to Epica. Never gets old! <3

try for yourself - Epica - Once Upon a Nightmare and Tides of time - studio version

I second the request of Once Upon a Nightmare. It’s my favourite Epica song. I wish more people would react to it because it’s absolutely beautiful!

Just here waiting for Sancta Terra Live Retrospect next week.

As a newbie to symphonic metal, I implore you to react to Kamelot. A bridge to them from here would be "Kamelot ft. Simone Simons - The Haunting live at Norway (2006)". It has their previous singer, Roy Kahn, on vocals. If you want to hear the new guy, Tommy Karevik, listen to "KAMELOT ft. Alissa White-Gluz and Elize Ryd - Sacrimony (Official Live Video)" or "KAMELOT - Phantom Divine (Shadow Empire) ft. Lauren Hart (Official Live Video)"