HA! I just recorded my reaction to this. You just had to be first. 😂

Their keyboard player, Coen Janssen, is absolutely hilarious. When I saw Epica live he was using a semi-circular keyboard that he could walk around with (no idea what they're called). Part way through the show he vanished off stage and I didn't notice until I realized that he was standing right behind me. Dude's a freaking ninja.

Marc Jansen is the primary composer (guitars, male vocals). He’s one of the earliest composers in the genre. He founded the now defunct After Forever (with Floor Jansen). He left after two albums to start Epica.

I'm so glad you noted the drummer. Arien van Weesenbeek is a monster.

With Epica there are two elements - the lyrics and the music. This is not only a musical masterpiece (the live version much more so than the album recording) - this is also a little masterpiece with regard to the lyrics.

The drummer doesn't drink coffee. He snorts Tesla mega-battery cells for breakfast.

Oh, and definitely check out “Sancta Terra,” particularly the live performance with Floor Jansen! That’s an amazing performance, and it features the orchestra and choir they sometimes tour with.

they have one of the best drummers I have ever heard, he probably don't drink coffee. He drink's adrenaline. LOL

Epica is one of the few metal bands where I actually care about what the lyrics are about. I mostly just see the vocals as another instrument in most metal. Simone really doesn't get enogh credit for her lyrics. Personally I think her lyrics are more interesting than Mark's as they are more open to interpretation. They ususlly write about the same subjects, but in two very different ways.

I hope it's ok, I'd like to share the songs that I think show Simone's abilities the most: Requiem FOR the Indifferent (album version, title track of their 5th studio album, and a song very worth checking out, especially by someone who decodes them so well!), Dreamscape (album or live version, that was a great shock of mine when I saw the first live video - it was a big amazing showoff of Simone's beautiful vocal skills), Solitary Ground (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jc9-ncqetJ2oYpc.html), Kingdom of Heaven (a classic and very common on reactions channel, but definitely worth the hype), Ascension (glorious song that should be checked out, but not from live versions from festivals where the sound technicians didn't do their job - best option: LYRIC VIDEO), Canvas of life (acoustic album version or live version on stairs, a beautiful ballad with a meaning), Chasing the Dragon (another popular song that is too beautiful not to mention and too smart not to really listen), Dedicate your heart (I'm out of breath even if I'm not the one singing), Design Your Universe (a classic! and a beautiful live at Retrospect 2013, but make sure to check out as well better, but no official live video at 1:00:05 here kzfaq.info/get/bejne/idNhq7JqxLKbdYU.html), Illusive Consensus (my personal favourite, WWTYWU) Monopoly on Truth (amazing complex song, longtime favourite, preferably album version to really appreciate it), Once upon a Nightmare (hauntingly beautiful ballad that stays with you for a long time after casting a spell of a beautiful music and vocals), Serenade of Self-Destruction (no words needed). I'm just pretty tired of constantly seeing only reactions to Sancta Terra or Consign to Oblivion. Epica is much more than that! Anyway, I cant wait your your particular reaction. Hopefully you'd like to check out the songs I recomended:)

Simone ♥️ Pause all you want, mate. But when you pause, make sure it’s right at Simone’s face. But really, glad you chose this song. One of their best live performances among many.

You need to hear In All Consience by epica both original and acoustic they are amazing

Your face when Coen was sliding around the stage with his Synth :D

I know its not many people's favorite but "Chasing the Dragon" was the first song I listened to by Epica - and I've been a fan ever since. Hope you'll check that out someday, there's a lot in there to sink into. ✌

Have a listen to "Kingdom of Heavens" (live), probably one of their most musically complex song, and masterpiece. "Dancing in a Hurricane" (at the Zenith), "Unleashed" (Restrospect), "Design Your Universe" (Retrospect), "Storm the Sorrow" (official video), "The Phantom Agony" (Retrospect), "The Obsessive Devotion" (official live), "Chasing the Dragon" (Retrospect), "Unchain Utopia" (official live), "Sancta Terra" (Retrospect, featuring Floor Jansen!) - all very good choice as well.

Oh, yes, finally! I'm going to give this a thumbs up before I even watch it. Chase's face says it all. And yes, Epica has to have its own playlist ;) Also, let's see if you can convince Tank to listen to Epica! Again, there are many symphonic metal bands who use harsh vocals, for example: Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Haggard, Dimmu Borgir, MaYaN (another proyect from the founder of Epica), etc. PS: this mix of female vocals and harsh vocals is called "beauty and the beast" and it was originated in gothic metal in the early 90's.

Chase!..you ready for the very summit of this truly symphonic metal band....."KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"

The singer Simone came with 17years to Epica and is now 43years old and is one of the best sopranos in Metall 🤘

20 pauses and a great reaction / analysis. Thanks dude was a pleasure! 🤘🤘

Yesss. This was mentioned in Discord and I'm so excited to see it so soon! Still recovering from the awesome Pan reaction. Thank you for setting up such an excellent weekend.

"What kind of coffee does this guy drink?" Funny you should ask, because in one concert, after a several minute drum solo, Simone said, "I think Arien has a couple batteries up his ass, cause nobody has so much energy as that guy!" Also, Coen loves to move around. That's why he has two keyboards. One on a track and one he wears and carries, even into the crowd. He runs all over the place. And he even explained in an interview about his setup. He had a wireless receiver custom made, which runs off a laptop battery, plugged into his keyboards. And then he showed the track his main one is on, and how it works. It's freaking insane and cool as hell. Then there's Mark Jansen (not related to Floor Jansen), who does the growls and main guitar. Isaac, doing backing growls and guitar. Rob doing bass. And then Simone Simons, doing the main vocals. And that's Epica for you.

I'm french and I was at this concert (birthday'sgift of my friends). It was incredible ! 3h30 of live: 2 bands and then Epica for 1h30. I'll remember this one all my life !!!! This song was the last of the evening. Epic and so powerfull !!!! Why not go on with EPICA with "sancta terra (feat Floor Jansen) - retrospect live" or ""design your universe" from th same retrospect live (take the 9:57 long version ;) ).

I had the pleasure and joy to watch they playing this song live 3 times! Every time I listen is like going back to the show. They are so tied together and always seem to be having so much fun doing that. Is great to see! Love this band! Hope to see a lot more of them in the channel. 🖤

Épica is an awesome band React to "kindom of heaven" or "facade of reality" You should react to Band: Haggard Songs: "awaking the centuries" or "eppur si mouve" Band: Therion Songs: "asgard" or "wine of aluqah" Both bands are amazings and part of the symphonic -metal genre

Chase you know my suggestions but i'll leave them here for visibility in order; Kingdom of Heaven, Unleashed, Dancing in a Hurricane, Universal Deathsquad, Divine Conspiracy, The Last Crusade, Design Your Universe, Mother of Light, Cry for the Moon, Sancta Terra. To be fair all of Jansen's songs labeled (A New Age Dawns #) are compositional masterworks and if you want an experience listen to those songs.

Imagine been 16 when this thing came out... Imagine listening this stuff in the car with your friends.. all the memories... When I saw them live I couldn't stop crying like a little child when they played this one... I'm so glad I grew up listening to them...

I noticed that you quite taken aback by the combination of vocals and just heavy Epica´s instrumental side can get in comparison to Nightwish. And I suspect that to understand this it is important to be aware of Epica´s roots. As you know one of the founders of Epica was Mark Jansen. Mark and Sander Gommans founded a death metal cover band in mid-90s, which was called Apocalypse. Eventually, they were joined by other musicians and Floor Jansen as a vocalist. It was around that time that they started to think about writing original songs to really utilize Floor´s voice, but not completely abandod death metal influences. And they were quite lucky that in those years the combination of male harsh vocals (death metal or black metal) and clean female vocals was all the rage (the Beauty and the Beast). It was mostly due to the influence of gothic metal bands such as Theatre of Tragedy or Trail of Tears. The first album of the band, which was re-named to After Forever, was released in 2000. And the second came out in 2001. Tensions started to rise in 2002 as Mark apparently wanted the band to be more orchestra-focused, but the rest of the band did not want to go in that direction. And so he left. There is a notable difference between songs in After Forever´s repertoire that were written before and after his departure (both instrumentally and in terms of lyrics). The funny thing is that the keyboardist that joined After Forever in 2003 Joost van der Broek is now in charge of producing Epica´s new album that is bound to come out this or next year. The third with him, I believe, and the 8th in total. If you want to hear something from Epica´s early days, I would recommend "Seif Al Din" - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p7l7hq2Jxt3FqI0.html and see them being young and silly The Divine Conspiracy (from Retrospect) might be cool, as well - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/badiZNiIr9OplnU.html starts at 7:56

Yes, there is a male choir backing track. Epica actually has their own choir and orchestra, but they don't use them live very often because of how expensive it is. Mark Jansen (no relation to Floor) is the one using harsh vocals. Isaac Delahaye, the other guitarist, also does screams sometimes. Coen Janssen, the keyboardist, doesn't actually scream, Simone is just being funny and putting the mic to Coen's mouth to lip sync with Mark's scream. "Consign to Oblivion" is the title track from their second album, released in 2005, by the way. They have a title track for every album so far and they are always very complex and usually the longest song on the album at 10+ minutes for each. Do "Storm the Sorrow", "Victims of Contingency", "Edge of the Blade", and "In All Conscience (EPIC METAL FEST Aftermovie)". The Epic Metal Fest is Epica's very own headlining festival that was curated and organized by the band themselves several years back. The band also released their own book called The Essence of Epica last year, which details their lives before the band, as they formed it, and where it has brought them today. The book contains rare, unique, and very personal photos of the band and their families and goes into great depth and discussion about their backgrounds. It's a super neat read. Thanks for reacting to this one, Chase!

Awesome react to an awesome song Chase! Thx for bringing out a lot of the intricate components of music and the musicianship that make this performance highly special!

Nightwish is great no doubt that. Tuomas is a genius. But as far as I understand Epica suits your taste better than Nightwish. It's not a matter of quality, just the preference of music. Try Design Your Universe, Serenade of Self-Destruction, and Orchestral Medley/The Divine Conspiracy! Ofc live version at Retrospect concert!

There are so many Epica goodies, I feel like a lot of the ones I like listening to aren't even all that popular! One of my favorites is Beyond Belief. and thanks for being one of the few reactors who doesn't just drool over how attractive the singer is.

Oh boii. You gona have so much to evaluate in this masterpiece..looking forward to it...your analysis is always knowledgeable and worth watching. Keep rocking on.. 🤟🤟🤟. Keep safe and healthy bud. 👍

Love how both you and Tank picked up on Simone adjusting her in-ear, or wireless pack. Simone does this a lot during songs but I didn’t understand what she was doing until you guys pointed it out…. also, fun note, that’s what Emppu was messing with on Floor’s back during the Wacken concert……

Serenade of Self-Destruction is just a masterpiece, I would love a reaction to that one.

Love it at parts you were just speechless!! Amazing band!!

I have been waiting for this one. Love me some Epica. Love me some Chase break downs. Cannot wait! Know its gonna be a gd'un

Oh my God! Can't wait for this... 🤯

One of the things I love most about this band is the contrast between the beautiful (Simone’s singing and orchestral moments) and the brutal (screaming vocals and heavy metal moments). These contrasts, along with the deep, introspective album themes and the lyrics make Epica one of the best symphonic metal bands out there.

Waited for this forever. Thanks so much, great reaction! 💯

Thanks so much for doing this one, I know there's tons to unpack.

They are phenomenal live!! Easily one of the best I’ve seen.

I really wished you 'd realize @14:21 that Coen (The guy on the keyboard) was adding the first notes of the french National anthem to the song. Just as a tribute to the audience. it doesnt even disrupt the song that much but once you have heard it you will always pick it up

Epica and Nightwish are top two for bands I need to see live for the first time. Awesome music!

Great reaction Chase! You picked up on a lot of fun stuff, love it.

I laughed a few times at your reaction. It reminded me of the first time I heard this song. There is just so much to take in it overwhelms you. Thank you for another great reaction.

Epica - Unleashed !!

Yay ^^ Glad I got you hooked on them. Can't wait what you make of this one. Hehe that was fun, loved your reaction to Coen being Coen. This song is slightly different live nowadays than it was on the album. But I'm here for it.

I work at night and you always upload around the time i get home, straight to bed. But this time i'll use my last functional brain cells to watch the ginger duo on action. Who need to sleep when you have epica and lots of pauses 🤷‍♂️

Awesome song and reaction of my favorite band since 2005 😍

The keyboardist is called Coen Janssen and live he is an absolute hoot to watch. He even on at least one tour recently skateboarded across the stage on the keys! He loves to get down the front and party with the crowd. I view him as the second front person of the band. He also always seems to have a massive shit eating grin on his face. As a bloke who appreciates a beautiful female (and by gum is Simone that!) I have difficulty watching her due to the entertainment factor from Coen. The whole band are fun to watch whilst playing this incredible music. Talent is outrageous. If they play near you make sure you go, I promise you won't regret it!

Kingdom of heaven!!!

Thanks for the reaction man! Definitely gonna be listening to more of them

Cry for the Moon - from the 2 Meter Sessies for something really stripped back and from 2004. In studio, live with a small choir and strings. It's amazing.

I discovered your channel like a month ago and most of These are the bands your listening for the first time , I grew up with like almost 20 years ago . So fun to see you enjoy them 20 years later. The gathering , within temptation, epica, night wish , after forever. I never thought they where doing something special. But hear you break down the songs and saying clever this smart that makes me try listening to music a little different. You should really come to europe and enjoy a 3day festival where most of these band will be playing. .

As you heard there are 3 main voices in Epica : Simone's, Mark's (grunts) and the choir. Each voice has actually a specific "role" in each song. And, talking about contrast, if you pay attention to the lyrics, you'll realize that in a lot of songs, the most beautiful words are sung by Mark while you would have expected Simone's voice.

Epica shine, Great that you did this.

See all these Amazing Dutch women with all the vocal chops taking over the world ❤️

finally 🎉🎉🎉

I was here casually enjoying an Epica song with someone who I know enjoys it too! (that's a bit of what reaction videos are to me). I hope you feel like hearing a little more about them soon, I'm super hooked on them lately 😂.

Missed the live chat but great reaction as always! Loving it

Consign to Oblivion your new favourite? Wait 'til you hear Sancta Terra, Design your Universe, Storm the Sorrow, Never Enough..... the list is almost endless...recommend all videos from Retrospect, their 10th anniversary concert. 3 hours of Simone still isn't enough! Also +1 for the correct French pronunciation of "Zenith" and spotting the Marseillaise theme"

EPICAL reaction again my friend! Keep 'm coming...

Awesome song. I discovered them by listening to and watching Nightwish then seeing Epica mentioned in the comments. I like the song they do with Floor where they have a full orchestra and choir on stage as well. That’s epic.

Okay. Set aside all the other awesome great reaction stuff you're doing (what I highly appreciate, you're my fav reactor) I frikkin love your humour. 🖤

Epica’s choir vocal effects I think is one of many things that have them stand out. I love how they use more of a male choir sound for Simone’s vocals to just dance on top of it. It has such an amazing effect. I never really thought of them as symphonic metal. There are those traditional elements there, but I think a more apt description of them is progressive symphonic death metal. My favorite song by them is Universal Death Squad. It’s just such a rad song. Great video! Have a damn good day!

Another one to set my alarm for. Woohoo!!

LOL I was waiting for the reaction to the keyboard sliding across the stage and it was worth it. Yea the keyboard play Coen likes to have fun with it so its on rails and sometimes he will ride it from 1 side to the other or sometimes he throws it and then runs around like a goofball and catches it. He also has a portable 1 he will sometimes wear and crowd surf while playing it which hes done at the shows I've been too.

Epica is my favourite band,I was at this show,it was there biggest ever show in Paris.This song is always the last song of the set,what a way to close a show.Looking forward to more Epica reactions.Check out 2 German bands Lord Of The Lost and Mono Inc. Not particular metal or symphonic but incredible music.

Growling must be growing on me a bit, or maybe you are helping me learn to enjoy the skill of it, but I enjoyed the entirety of the song. You reaction helped me enjoy this all the more and so did your air drumming. Thanks Chase!

My favorite band, we are quite lucky in the Netherlands with them, and Floor Jansen, Delain, etc etc 🤘😎🤘 This song is always the closer and one of their earliest songs. And it just never gets old:)) The 'trick' to Epica songs is to listen to them a few times to get into them. Usually with new songs it takes a while for them to sink in. So much going on, love it

You should check "Design Your Universe" (Retrospect show) and "Kingdom of Heaven" (Mexico). These two song will blow your mind. Best of the best of Epica.

Epica dropped a new song last week, You'll like!

The part where Simone is encouraging the keyboardist to scream is honestly kind of adorable.

Oh, this will be fun!

Awesome analysis Chase! I think you’d enjoy reading the lyrics for Epica songs too. They are a masterpiece on their own and mind blowing

Semblance of Liberty is also a great metal song. It's such a blast, you would almost forget that it's symphonic.

Wall of Epic

The keyboardist has a rotating keyboard stand, just like Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater.

I can't believe I missed you doing THIS one !!! The intensity is off the freaking charts ! You are correct , this piece has some of the best " unsettling" , seductive performances that really crank up the Imagination !!! Love your complex breakdowns of All of it. YES 😂❤️

One of my favourite songs, one of my favourite bands and Mark Janssen one of my favourite composers. Thanks for doing this man

The power of Ginger...Simone ❤️ and of course you too, Chase. Question is, how long this video gonna take with all the pause attack? 🤔 #PauseGang ⏸

Thank you very much for the reaction! I was looking forward. You will be surprised by the music DESIGN YOUR UNIVERSE

Epica is recording their new album now. I can’t wait for it to drop. Maybe you can do a song by song analysis of it, when it it released , like your doing with Nightwish’s album. ?? But yeah, Epica songs are complex and have poetic / deep lyrics much like Nightwish.

They are the masters of symphonic metal in my opinion. Was really looking forward to you analysing this song, as I almost knew it would slightly baffle you as its very complex. Their catalogue of music can only be appreciated by a good ear. Also glad you picked out what the drummer was doing as he is world class 🤘

I was waiting to see your reaction when the keyboard went a traveling. Was not disappointed.

Well, that made getting up worthwhile.

Probably someone already said this in the comments, but I couldn't find it on the last ones. When Simone asks them to create a "wall of Epica" it's what metalheads call a Wall of Death: the front rows divide in two sections and then run at full force in opposite directions to meet each other. And, man, that is fuuun! As usual, absolutely loved your reaction. Thanks for the great work!

The retrospect show is with live quire and orchestra, check it out. Sancta Terra has Floor as guest.

Design Your Universe (Retrospect Show), Chemical Insomnia and In All Conscience are some KILLER songs by them that you really should hear (and fresh ones for reaction channels)

19:33 well finally someone described how I felt years back listening this song over and over again. Fools of damnation is very similar...

There's nothing about The Shmoon that isn't beautiful. A living gem.

More Epica!! ❤

15:40 According to my bank statement, I paid a little less than 40 EUR for that particular show, which was a double headline with Powerwolf (you could react to them, great band too), with Beyond the Black opening. I had a blast that sunday

hey Chase!...superb review/analysis...speaking of low register delivery by Simone....Tarja used a rather, strong, unwavering, deep, room-filling, mezzo register in her early years prominently displayed in "from wishes to eternity" concert .... any song you pick is gold

Great reaction! That song hit all the right beats just enough times. Everytime you think 'I'd like to hear this again' it shows up. Very cool. Please do Time by Wintersun.

Great reactions, and loads of comments with suggestions already. Anything from the Live Restrospect show is recommended, because there they have the full choir and orchestra backing them up. Though this version of Consign To Oblivion is better because of keyboardist shenanigans and crowd interaction. Put a mark on your list for Universal Death Squad, Design Your Universe and Chase-ing the Dragon ;-)

I've always appreciated this song so much because there is definitely a structure but it takes a few listens to really grasp it. The first half is a fairly standard back-and-forth between a few different verses, while the second half has this sort of ABCBA "triangular" structure where it builds up to the climax heavy section then returns to where it came from. A lot more interesting than many other longer proggier songs in the genre which are, comparatively, a lot simpler (longer intro/outro with a standard verse-chorus structure but with an extended bridge section after chorus 2).

You commented on how, without the metal elements, it could be a classical arrangement. Fun fact: My version of this album has an instrumental 'orchestral bonus disc' that is exactly this. It features, amongst other things, this song done with just the orchestra.

Epica! YEAH!... Paris, indeed! I believe that the keyboard players' scream was just for this performance. Glad to see him get some mike time! The Retrospect show had a live choir, this one a backing track. The "Beauty and the beast" formula was largely started by "Theatre of Tragedy" - any reviews of them ahead?... The screamer is another Jansen - Mark Jansen (founder of the band, not related to Floor)!!... You find out the drummers' coffee brand - let me know too!!?...Love that you mentioned the horns, as a French horn player (also) I love it when they get even a little attention! yes, the keyboard player has a rail to glide around on!!! One way to fix the sedentary life of a keys player!!! :-) .. Another wow! Thanks again, Chase!

Look to the History from this Bands, After Forever, Revamp, Kamelot, Nightwish and Wintersun. They are a long Time Friends together.