Welcome

Live Report Epica

Band: Epica
City: Lyon (France)
Venue: Transbordeur
Promoter: Base Productions
Date: 2008-11-11
Audience : around 1,200 people




The weather forecast is categorical: 11th November 2008 is going to be rainy. And yet, there were a few courageous fans waiting and hoping for an autograph before the doors of the Transbordeur at 2 p.m., at the exact time of Kells’s rehearsals. At 7.30 p.m., the lights go off and Kells start playing. Vastly different from the two other bands that will be playing tonight, Kells delivers a very energetic symphonic nu-metal. Virginie, the band’s charismatic vocalist, is tireless: she jumps and moves around endlessly, and manages to motivate the audience while responding subtely to the less than subtle screams of some girls in the pit. Kells is a band that opportunely mixes Evanescence and Korn with French lyrics. A very good show.


Amberian Dawn is the second band to set foot on stage tonight. Think about all the worst female-fronted metal bands, like Edenbridge or Xandria. Well, Amberian Dawn is even worse. Granted, Heidi Parviainen is a good vocalist (despite her ridiculous get-up), but the music behind her lyrical voice is absolutely not innovative and unbearably redundant. When you consider the quality of some breakthrough female-fronted metal bands, you cannot but wonder what the hell Amberian Dawn is doing here. In spite of this, the audience seems to enjoy the performance, and some people even go as far as singing along with the vocalist during the choruses. But as soon as the set ends, and until the band’s intro song can be heard, the audience, obviously tired of waiting, starts chanting Epica’s name.


As soon as the Dutch band appears on stage (under the screams of hysterical fans), hit songs succeed one another, for the enjoyment of an immediately responsive crowd. Vocalist Simone Simons, the general center of attention, is radiant, smiling and playful. Pretty as always, Simone dances in the most sensual way on the band’s Arabic melodies, her bright red hair flying in all directions thanks to the traditional fan, her facial expressions and her voice creating a real propinquity with the audience. More generally speaking, the band seems happy to be there and to play in an almost sold-out venue – even though one could lament the obvious lack of motivation displayed by guitarist Ad Sluijter, who never even deigned to smile during the evening. Now that’s a person who looks more like a guest musician than like a full-time member of the band.




The set-list is sprinkled with the usual hits: “The Obsessive Devotion”, “Menace of Vanity”, “Sensorium”, “Seif Al Din”, “The Phantom Agony”, “Quietus” or “Mother of Light”. Great songs like “Chasing the Dragon”, “Solitary Ground” and “Consign to Oblivion” have not been forgotten. Two rather surprising covers are also played: Death’s “Crystal Mountain” and… the “Star Wars” main theme! The band has obviously chosen to focus on the catchiest metal songs – a more pop-ish song like “Never Enough” was not part of the set-list.

The Dutch band seems desirous to differentiate itself from other female-fronted metal bands like Nightwish or Within Temptation by assuming a more metal, less pop-ish music. The band’s performance is punchy (it is, honest!), and the musicians deliver rather heavy riffs. The only downside came from Mark Jansen, who doesn’t seem too efficient when he’s using his death voice, which clearly lacks depth and would be better suited for backing vocals.


Tonight the audience was treated to a very good show from the entire band, and Simone was on top form. Speaking of which, you can hear in our interview what the vocalist does when she disappears from the stage for a few minutes. Exhilarated by their status as the main act, electrified by a young and super-responsive audience, Epica was very happy to be on stage and to communicate with the fans. This good atmosphere is also present between the members of the band, who never hesitate to share high fives at every possibly opportunity – a camaraderie rare enough to be mentioned.

Partner for Live shows

Partners