16.03.2012 Epica

013, Tilburg (Netherlands)

(Pentax K-5 with Tamron SP AF 17-50mm 2.8 XR Di II LD Asp IF and Sigma AF 50-150mm 2.8 EX DC APO HSM II)

After 2.5 years it finally was the day that the latest opus of Epica should see the light of the world. That of course should be celebrated by a true release concert and so the 013 at Tilburg was completely filled when at 21:15 the first drum sounds came out of the speakers. The stage was covered with a black cloth and a simply not ending intro opened the gig. finally the drums went over into the intro of their new album "Requiem For The Indifferent" "Karma". After that passed with a loud band the cloth was removed and opened the view onto the new stage setting whilst the band intonated "Monopoly On Truth". During the show the whole new album was played (only the bonus track "Nostalgia" only existing on the limited edition was missing) but also songs of the former albums were combined with them. From my point of view tha was really well done that they did not only play the new album just as it is but interrupted it with old songs like "Unleashed" or "The Obsessive Devotion".
As it should be a special show they used everything what is available related to show technics. So very suitably used pyros in form of flames, shower of sparks and fountains heating up the already quite warm 013 even furthermore. How agreable were the columns formed by fog that at least for a short time were cooling you down a little bit. Very interesting were the spots at the back of the stage looking like huge mechanical flowers presenting permanently changing light effects and atmospheres on stage by moving their color changing "blooming". Beside that singer Simone Simons changed her outfits several time during the show.
You could really feel how the band members simmered towards this gig and the audience directly from the start followed them. Many seemed to have bought the new album already directly when it was released one week ago as during each of the new songs they loudly sang along. No matter if it were quiet songs like "Delirium" or more powerful like "Internal Warfare". Furthermore the visitors could admire just like at former shows a belly dancer during the name giving song of the album "Requiem For The Indifferent" but also at "Serenade Of Self-Destruction" where she wonderfully accentuated the oriental parts of the songs. After the great "Cry For The Moon" the band members left the stage for the first time but just to return after they were loudly asked by the audience for the first encore. Guitarist and grunter Mark Jansen told the attentive audience that they had not yet played all songs of the new album and the leftovers would follow now. But also after the three remaining songs it was not over yet as keyboarder Coen Janssen had not yet directed his words as usual to the audience. And so the band returned for a second encore to the stage once more to perform the terrific songs "Sancta Terra" and the ususal closure song "Consign To Oblivion".
Overall somehow a little bit more that two hours Epica live on stage giving everything and presenting an unbelievable show. Simone was vocally overwhelming like always and also the rest of the band was giving everything to make this evening unforgetable and to overcome the last show at the Paradiso. However I already have watched better gigs of the ban. Why? Well, you cannot say anything about hte show itself, that was brilliant as usual. But a problem is the new album which in my point of view is very well-made. But it is not an album that you can listen to en passant and which lacks of catchy songs like e.g. "Martyr Of The Free World" or "The Obsessive Devotion". The new pieces are very complex and partially somehow bulky which was having a huge influence to the concert where the whole new album was played. Many songs in my opinion are not usable for a live show. What besides that was exorbitantly a pain in the neck was that many liked more to SMS, Twitter of post on Facebook rather than follow the concert. Furthermore I seldom had a concert where so many people were thinking of going in and out during the concert (OK, I stood on the highway towards the exit but anyhow). I would say that the more catchy new songs like e.g. "Monopoly On Truth" or "Storm The Sorrow" can be heared on the upcoming concerts again but many others should rather be removed from the setlist.