Epica: The Perfect Symphonic Metal Band

[KillerKat]

I fuging love this band. If you are a fan of Symphonic Metal, they are the epitome of the genre. The best vocals, the best guitars, the best drums, and the best orchestration of Symphonic Metal. Their latest album, The Quantum Enigma was the best Metal album of 2014 I believe. If you only heard a couple songs or never heard of them, I strongly suggest you divulge yourself more.

The Second Stone is probably my favorite off their new album

[KillerKat]

On the subject of Symphonic Metal, although this is a different band, this song encompasses everything that is Symphonic Metal from the guitars, the operatic female voice, the orchestration. The song is Sacrificium by the band Xandria

[Arroz con Panther]

I like it.  Victims of Contingency was indeed a good track.  I haven't listened to all of them, but they're on Spotify, so I'll listen to them more in-depth while at work on Monday.  

 

The only thing I will say, and don't shoot me down just yet...I've only listened to three tracks.  The music far outweighs Simone's voice.  She definitely has a good voice, but I feel as if she needs some more power to go with what they're trying to do.  In the tracks that I listened to, it sounded like the choir needed to help her out.  Maybe listening to a few albums will change my mind on that.

[KillerKat]

I like it.  Victims of Contingency was indeed a good track.  I haven't listened to all of them, but they're on Spotify, so I'll listen to them more in-depth while at work on Monday.  

 

The only thing I will say, and don't shoot me down just yet...I've only listened to three tracks.  The music far outweighs Simone's voice.  She definitely has a good voice, but I feel as if she needs some more power to go with what they're trying to do.  In the tracks that I listened to, it sounded like the choir needed to help her out.  Maybe listening to a few albums will change my mind on that.

Not exactly sure what you mean, but classic Symphonic Metal bands usually have a singer that is or close to operatic. Simone can do both operatic voice and normal tone. She has developed her operatic voice more and more each album. Xandria is another example of an operatic female voice through out most of their tracks.

[Arroz con Panther]

Not exactly sure what you mean, but classic Symphonic Metal bands usually have a singer that is or close to operatic. Simone can do both operatic voice and normal tone. She has developed her operatic voice more and more each album. Xandria is another example of an operatic female voice through out most of their tracks.

 

I honestly think it was the one song I listened to that had me feeling this way.  It's your favorite one off of their new album, The Second Stone.  I feel as if her voice is monotonous during the verses and that's why I originally said she needed more "power".  However, I absolutely love the chorus though and her operatic tone is amazing.

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed the other tracks I've heard though.  I'm making my way slowly through the albums.  I'm still on The Quantum Enigma.

[KillerKat]

I honestly think it was the one song I listened to that had me feeling this way.  It's your favorite one off of their new album, The Second Stone.  I feel as if her voice is monotonous during the verses and that's why I originally said she needed more "power".  However, I absolutely love the chorus though and her operatic tone is amazing.

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed the other tracks I've heard though.  I'm making my way slowly through the albums.  I'm still on The Quantum Enigma.

Here's some other Symphonic Metal bands you can check out:

Kamelot

Pythia

Whyzdom

Lyriel

Kerion

Dawn of Destiny

Echoterra

Dark Princess

Angtoria

Amberian Dawn

Midnattsol

Nemesea

Atargatis

Diabulus In Musica

Magica

Edenbridge

Stream of Passion

Xandria

Elysion

Imperia

Legenda Aurea

Delain

Echoes of Eternity

Within Temptation

Domina Noctis

Kingfisher Sky

ReVamp

Forever Slave

Leaves Eyes

Sirenia

After Forever

My top 15 would be:

1. Epica

2. Xandria

3. ReVamp

4. Whyzdom

5. Edenbridge

6. Diabulus in Musica

7. Delain

8. Imperia

9. Kamelot

10. Amberian Dawn

11. Within Temptation

12. Pythia

13. Dawn of Destiny

14. Kerion

15. Magica

Not sure about the order after 5.

Floor Jansen recently joined Nightwish and are coming out with a new album in a couple months. They could be in my top 10 after I listen to it. Floor is an amazing vocalist. She can sing normal and operatic as well as growl.

[Bronn]

it is definitely an improvement over Sevendust...

 

...but I've never been able to get into the whole "Symphonic" metal... I like some metal that features synth players, sure... but the whole "oh we're a symphonic metal band" thing is just extremely watered down and generic to me...

 

 

[Mvp2014]

not really into metal but damn that drummer must have calves the size of usain bolts thighs

[KillerKat]

it is definitely an improvement over Sevendust...

 

...but I've never been able to get into the whole "Symphonic" metal... I like some metal that features synth players, sure... but the whole "oh we're a symphonic metal band" thing is just extremely watered down and generic to me...

Getting a whole orchestra together along with a choir and having them play along Metal music is an extremely difficult task to accomplish.

There is a producer Joost van den Broek who I consider the God of Symphonic Metal. He's also a keyboardist, engineer, editor, mixer, lyricist and orchestration arranger.

He was in the band After Forever and was incharge of orchestration of the first ReVamp album as well as the on-album keyboardist. He also has produced and been in charge of orchestration for Epica, Xandria, Stream of Passion, Nemesea and Mayan. As well as others. Everything he touches is gold.

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/joost-van-den-broek-mn0000257942/credits

It's just another great genre that has added a complex aspect to Metal that is very respectable. But I can tell you can't just appreciate music and have to be one of those "elitists" who has to tear down anything that doesn't fit into what you consider to be good.

[Bronn]

haha...

I like any good music... I was just pointing out that there isn't that much variety within the genre...

Basically, symphonic metal is the result of power metal bands reaching their end-game before turning into full fledged black metal bands...

 

It is totally respectable for what it is... It just isn't my favorite type of metal...

You get really bent out of shape whenever someone disagrees with your musical tastes... Perhaps it is you who is the elitist...

 

I also don't get why you had to start an almost exact replica of a topic you started back in October to get your point across about how much you love the genre... Let's face it, none of these bands are Between the Buried and Me, and are therefore not that important...

 

For reference... you could have bumped:

 

[Arroz con Panther]

haha...

I like any good music... I was just pointing out that there isn't that much variety within the genre...

Basically, symphonic metal is the result of power metal bands reaching their end-game before turning into full fledged black metal bands...

 

It is totally respectable for what it is... It just isn't my favorite type of metal...

You get really bent out of shape whenever someone disagrees with your musical tastes... Perhaps it is you who is the elitist...

 

I also don't get why you had to start an almost exact replica of a topic you started back in October to get your point across about how much you love the genre... Let's face it, none of these bands are Between the Buried and Me, and are therefore not that important...

 

For reference... you could have bumped:

 

Pie for BTBAM reference...

[Bronn]

Pie for BTBAM reference...

 

it was a running joke how much I referenced them a long time ago here... I did it every chance I could, mainly to get on Panthro's nerves...

[Omega Atrocity]

haha...

I like any good music... I was just pointing out that there isn't that much variety within the genre...

Basically, symphonic metal is the result of power metal bands reaching their end-game before turning into full fledged black metal bands...

 

It is totally respectable for what it is... It just isn't my favorite type of metal...

You get really bent out of shape whenever someone disagrees with your musical tastes... Perhaps it is you who is the elitist...

 

I also don't get why you had to start an almost exact replica of a topic you started back in October to get your point across about how much you love the genre... Let's face it, none of these bands are Between the Buried and Me, and are therefore not that important...

 

For reference... you could have bumped:

Exactly this

[KillerKat]

haha...

I like any good music... I was just pointing out that there isn't that much variety within the genre...

Basically, symphonic metal is the result of power metal bands reaching their end-game before turning into full fledged black metal bands...

 

It is totally respectable for what it is... It just isn't my favorite type of metal...

You get really bent out of shape whenever someone disagrees with your musical tastes... Perhaps it is you who is the elitist...

 

I also don't get why you had to start an almost exact replica of a topic you started back in October to get your point across about how much you love the genre... Let's face it, none of these bands are Between the Buried and Me, and are therefore not that important...

 

For reference... you could have bumped:

lol you're the only one in this thread that came in looking for an argument by attacking another's tastes. "better than Sevendust". Like I give a poo? And BTBAM is supposed to be music?

It's one thing to say it's not your thing but it's just disrespectful calling a whole genre "watered down and generic" when you have no idea the hard work it involves.

And you continue speaking out of your ass about the genre. Did you know Symphonic Metal has been around since mid to late 80's? Did you know there are subgenre's of Symphonic Metal? Symphonic black metal, Symphonic power metal, Symphonic gothic metal.

I'm not bent out of shape. You should just realize what is involved in the genre before spewing bullshit.

I don't give a damn that I started another thread before. This thread was about 1 band and since a poster liked what he was hearing, I suggested more. Don't like it? Not my problem. You replying says more about you than me. I'm glad you remember me though because I really don't know who you are.