Epica is a band with which, honestly, I can’t be considered a real fan since I have thoroughly heard their first album “The Phantom Agony”. The only reason I make such an introduction is to make it clear that the following report is objective, according the band’s appearance on Fuzz in 29th of May and I haven’t been influenced by any huge and timely love for their music. Where am I getting at?

 
EPICA WHERE AWESOME!

It was a live EXPERIENCE which contained all the elements that make you come out of the venue with that good old smile you have when your brain have produced large quantities of cerotonine.

Being accustomed to seeing older bands on stage (therefore older musicians) I must say I’ve almost forgot how it is to watch relatively younger performers whirlwinding their hair for two hours. Not only did Epica’s energy seemed endless but they where constantly charging the crowd with it. Excellent on stage performance indeed.

On with technical details: First things first, Fuzz club is a pretty decent place for a concert and it has great sound –This added a lot to the band’s appearance. The drums and the guitars where tuned in a satisfying harmony, the bass was trembling the place, the keyboards sounded great with all that metal noise and above all was Simone’s beautiful voice, crystal clear! Mark Jansen (guitar, growls) was screaming his guts out but sometimes his voice got swept away by the loud bass. Did I mention Simone sounded brilliantly?

The songs: When the lights turned down, the epic melody of Samandhi started to fill the hall and then Epica appeared with the song “Resign to Surrender” in-your-face style. Then they played the masterpiece Sensorium, and, if it weren’t for a break with the newer “The Last Crusade” it would have been a mini Phantom Agony presentation, since they played non-stop Seif al Din, Facade to Reality and Cry for the Moon.
At some point there was only Coen Jansen (keyboards) and Simone Simons on stage where they played “Tides of Time” –a beautiful song indeed. Being so melodic, this song magnificently revealed Simone’s real voice talent, while we got the chills.

Headbanging and adrenaline continued to flow while they played some really heavy tunes from their recent releases and then they went away only to return shortly for an encore (We didn’t even got to shout “we want more”). They played Sancta Terra, Quietus and Consign to Oblivion, ending the concert in a pandemonium of applause which they rightfully deserved.

PS: I badly wanted them to finish with the nine minute epic “The Phantom Agony” [sigh]

Set list:

1. Samadhi
2. Resign to Surrender
3. Sensorium
4. The Last Crusade
5. Seif al Din
6. Facade of Reality
7. Cry for the Moon
8. Tides of Time
9. Unleashed
10. Martyr of the Free Word
11. The Obsessive Devotion
12. Kingdom of Heaven

Encore
13. Sancta Terra
14. Quietus
15. Consign to Oblivion

Report: Manos “M for Metal” Alibertis
Photos: Jim Hatzimoisis