The Greatest Moment in Symphonic Metal History - So Far.

The Greatest Moment in SM History... So Far
Floor Jansen and Simone Simons Duet at FVMF VII, 2009

    And now on to what I call "The Greatest Moment in Symphonic Metal History". There is plenty of backstory to cover here to reveal the importance of this one moment but allow me to do a quick comparison, one that people who don't follow symphonic metal can understand. Imagine if you were at a heavy metal festival watching Metallica headline and in the middle of their set, Dave Mustaine walks onstage with a guitar. Then they break into a Megadeth song but- the song they play is actually a song that Dave wrote while in Metallica, but recorded as Megadeth. The next twist to make the comparison complete would be that song would have a genuine relevance to today's times, in both past and present and was a significant beginning of a story-board that would go on to shape the entire discography of both bands.
  All this happened here when Epica had Floor Jansen (formally in After Forever, after they disbanded) join Epica in a modified version of the classic After Forever song "Follow in the Cry". I have mentioned in this blog before but in case you've missed it, or wasnt sure what was 'the beef' between these 2 bands, this is the low down. Mark Jansen (no relation to Floor, just a common name in Holland) had formed After Forever and recruited Floor Jansen as their singer. They recorded the first CD with the average age of the band at 19. A remarkable feat, but its shortly after a few CDs when Mark Jansen left the band and formed a new one, Epica. He brings on board another young female singer, Simone Simons (whom he was dating at the time) and the rivalry had begun. As After Forever garnered both praise and criticism, Epica strived for recording with full orchestras and choirs and their popularity soared. As the years go by, fans generally shared love equally between the 2 bands but it seemed they weren't on the same page with each other, just like fans of Metallica and Megadeth are. After Forever releases a self-titled cd in 2008 and makes tremendous waves with it, though they toured with little success in the US (Symphonic Metal doesnt fare well in the US currently), it seemed the band was at its best and the verge of a major breakthrough. Then they called it quits, breaking many hearts of SM fans.
  There is much to this story I simply cannot compound here but through all this, Epica then releases probably their best CD, "Design Your Universe" (2009) and began to tour for it extensively. A significant stop would be the result of our magic moment, at the Female Voices of Metal Festival VII in Belgium, 2009. Floor Jansen had made it known she was going to be onstage with a few bands, mostly to announce the facts were true, that After Forever was no more and that she had a new a project and announced its naming (ReVamp) at the festival. What no one knew nor expected, was that she would join Epica onstage.

Follow In The Cry (After Forever Cover by Epica ft Floor Jansen guest vocal)


  The clip I share here is the better one that Ive found (just about everyone at the show recorded it somehow), and it was practically posted right after the concert. The song Follow in the Cry had been in Epica's set for some time, being that it was written by Mark Jansen while in After Forever so to have Floor onstage to sing it had significance. In this version though, to allow Floor more mic time, she sings the first verse, which Mark typically sang, in grunt voice. And its great to hear her low range and outright quality in her tone. What is seen onstage though is something else even more magical. The voices of 2 Symphonic Metal Queens singing in unison and their newly found camaraderie.
  I have researched and found they shared the stage recently before this event, when both Simone and Mark from Epica joined After Forever onstage for the duet "Beyond Me" (original AF was a duet with Sharon from Within Temptation) in 2007. But it was here, in this performance that it appeared they had a great time and were natural together. Amazingly the song, seemed to connect here. Now the 2 have done collaborations together, as guest appearances and now Simon joins Floor's new band, ReVamp (singing a duet with Floor) in a tour which saw Epica take ReVamp out as opening act. Also on the same tour Floor sings with Simone for a great version of Sancta Terra (Epica).  It seems the 2 have become good friends and whatever kept the
2 supergroups with a common founder apart doesn't seem to affect the bond the 2 singers of each have formed.
  This can only mean great things on the horizon. For this moment has done much unifying and is significant in cementing them both as Metal Queens of an entire genre. With technology and the internet, specifically youtube.com, we can experience the moment, as if we were there, as if it happened yesterday. And its implications will be felt world wide. Instead of taking a hit, losing one of its glowing crowns in After Forever, it has gained a union between 2 master artists and therefore gained a wider stretching kingdom- the fanscape of Symphonic Metal.
  You are welcome.

Epica version eta circa 2007


Original After Forever version. (Symphonic Metal, NL 2000)


Other Notable Moments in Symphonic Metal History:Therion "Live Gothic" DVD
Epica "Classical Conspiracy" DVD


Next Posting: After Forever Blows My Mind II

Notes: Obvious? Omissions

Symphonic Metal Saved My Life Blog

Obvious? Omissions-

   Now to include what I haven't included in my listings. This is my chance to touch on a few very popular bands in the genres I have featured in this blog. I would be remiss and easily judged to have not acknowledged them. But I haven't spotlighted any one song from these bands due to one main reason, which is I don't listen to them. I've tried, I've bookmarked, I've took note of, I've researched. But they simply don't move me nor impress me further than other bands have. Whenever I do discover a new song that either blows me away or I find myself enjoying more through re-listens, I think back to these bands in my omissions and wonder, when if ever will I find that song from them? But so far it hasn't happened and I will now explain why for each of these giants in their respective genres, doesn't mean I don't respect what these bands have done, keep in mind I named this section Obvious Omissions. I also consider my blog more of a gateway of introducing these genres than a who's who or 'best of' or all inclusive giant list.

 H.I.M. (Gothic Metal) Ville Valo, the Finnish sensation who loosely self-categorizes his music "love metal". I haven't included any listings from HIM mostly due to the fact of his Uber-popularity, but also because I don't find his music very groundbreaking. Its rather commercial to me although I feel he shares a lot in common with Marlyn Manson. Both are artists whose talents supersede the art which they create. What I mean is if they push the envelope, they get labeled as trying too hard, if they create hit songs, they are called selling out. Its an impasse which usually results in the older fans losing appreciation for each release, and newer fans who prefer "the new stuff". My guess is that along with Marylin Manson, for H.I.M., the better music is perhaps the earliest, more aggressive and less commercially aware releases. I have selected an example from a release which Ville refers to darker bands as influence. Maybe if Ville had continued on with this mindset and style, well I guess there would more that I would enjoy.

H.I.M.- Love in Cold Blood (Gothic Metal, Finland 2007)

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  Nightwish (Symphonic Metal) Although Therion pre-dates Nightwish, they are considered the originators to make Symphonic Metal what it is today. How could I eliminate the originals from my listings? I blame the drummer. I also blame singer Tarja Turunen. But I put the blame more technology. As pioneers of the genre, they simply did not have tech on their side in comparison to just about any band starting out today. With that being said they deserve more credit than I give, knowing that bands have it so much more easier today to re-create what NW did before them. But, for me, Tarja just doesn't sound metal, I hear a great classical singer who is singing for a metal band and the band actually plays around her. The only interaction her melodies have are with her own background over dubs and choir tracks. I also find the drum work a bit less inspired. Again I feel there is a case of 'harnessing' going on. As if the band is not allowed to outshine the vocals.
  So far this is one of the songs that I like the most from them and it was from the last CD with Tarja. So what would Nightwish be without Tarja? We found out when Tarja and NW parted ways, and enter new singer Annete Olsen and now NW sounds less symphonic, more NuMetal and well, so much for that.

Nightwish - Romanticide (Symphonic Metal, Finland 2004)

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  Within Temptation (Symphonic Metal?) Basically at the same time Nightwish makes a serious splash in the Euro-metal scene, Within Temptation is born. Molded from a now familiar format, heavy doom-influenced dark drudgery sounds played against quieter, softer moments which allow a soprano-styled singer like Sharon De Tomme to shine. Although they predate just about everyone in my listings (ex. Therion) I don't see where they ever made the jump from a-typical female fronted metal to symphonic metal heavyweights, despite huge concerts with full orchestration and choirs. Although Sharon has had many bright moments I don't see her overtaking the heavies of Floor, Simone, Tarja, Anneke, and a few others. She's been the choice 2nd for duets mainly due to the fact she will blend well but not overpower the other. Their brand of metal to me is more closer to a standardized rock and never challenges the listener. Most of the drum work is passive and the guitars (though prominent in their beginnings) are all but an afterthought for the most part. Other bands which came after WT have had a bigger impact in the genre, despite WT gigantic fanbase.
An early example...
Within Temptation -Mother Earth (Symphonic Metal Netherlands, 1997)

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Other bands that haven't cracked my listings as of yet...
Sirenia
DreamTheatre
Paradise Lost
My Dying Bride
Theatre of Tradegy - Very huge discography but all over the place. Their origins definitely showed promise until they went - techno?
Lacuna Coil - I am still trying to get to know them, I have one or 2 songs from apparently their best release so far, Comalies (2002)

   So that's the basic explanation of why you wont see the bands listed above in my blog. But now I have included them. So you can't really say I didn't. But that could change, maybe one day when I post link after link from songs I eventually fall in love with. Since this blog is in a true to life timeline, that very well could end up being true one day. But for now, this is the perfect moment to include a moment I highly regard....

Next Posting: The Greatest Moment in Symphonic Metal History. - So Far...

Return to Finland III - The Chameleons

Return to Finland III Chameleons

Velcra and Silentium change their colors - 

 
  This installment, the final one for this Return to Finland, I focus on 3 songs which are in my favorites, from 2 bands which have changed their style - or 'colors', like a chameleon would. It is a trend in the sub-genres for bands to not be so loyal to their own scene whereas they just completely abandon it. The downside is the major portion of their fanbase tends to get alienated by such switches, the plus side would be if the band comes out with better material than the previous incarnation, and keeps their main fanbase but gains fans of the new genre as well. The most well known switch is Metallica's jump from true thrash metal to a more accessable mainstream metal sound.
   I was one of those fans lost in the fray from Metallica's switch. My dismay and disgust for the band is well known amongst my friends. After  ...And Justice  I just knew that the band was ready for a new direction. Then I was taken back by how mad they were about Not getting an Award. (The Grammy snub for a Heavy Metal release went to Jethro Tull) As a metal fan it showed to me how they saw themselves striving for a wider acceptance from a larger audience. Crying over not getting an award is so NOT METAL. Where was the Metallica I knew long ago? - the Metal Up Your Ass Metallica? Then came in Bob Rock to make them into a  weaker, softer, less edgy - but award acceptable,  band. They did gain a larger audience by far. I did buy the CD known as Metallica (a slap in the face to the fan base, self-title an albulm that sounds nothing like your entire discography) I took the CD to a CD-Exchange (they gave me $7.00 I think) the Same Day I bought it. The clerk asked me "What? Are you Crazy?" I said "No man- that's not Metallica. I think they were kidnapped in the Amazon. they recorded some other band - that's why there's no pictures on it".
  Plain and simple, I was pissed off. I would say "The Black Albulm" was actually first named "Sad, but True". This was the level of dismay I had for them. And each successive release they got lamer and weaker. It has taken quite a long time but there is some of the backlash regarding Metallica coming out. I just felt it since day one. I also tossed one of the CDs from the double set "Garage, Inc (1998)" - after hearing "Turn the Page" on the radio - from my car right out the window onto the causeway! Yeah, 7 years later and still pissed off.
  So now that brings me to Velcra. I have already included several links here in my listings of this Finnish crossover band. (see previous postings: Finland, Starting Point II and Attack of Velcra) They originally started out as a quite aggressive metal/industrial band with some rap elements and other influences. There was some hints though, that their electronic side would become more emphasized. With the release of Hadal (2007), they became a mostly electronic band. Its a stark jump from what I had totally fallen in love with only a year before... But that wouldnt stop me from giving it a good listen. I found 2 outstanding tracks to share here. Most of Hadal is atmospheric, almost etheral. The electronic parts show at times a wide array of experimentation. But you have to give it up to these Fins - They are a talented bunch. Unfortunately, they have not recorded anything since and it appears Hadal might have been Velcra's swan song. I hope not, I certainly hope they continue to work together.
  Another band from Finland, Silentium also shares this posting, having changed from their very heavy, experimental Gothic Metal beginnings with one of my very favorite tracks from their totally Symphonic Metal release, Amortean (2009). You can look back at a few of my previous postings (FFM, Return to Finland I). I give them very high praise. I suppose I am not so jaded from my Dismay of Metallica that I can't appreciate when an artist changes its colors like a chameleon does. I guess as long as it doesnt totally suck.



Velcra - New Recruit (Industrial / Electronica, Finland 2007)
  This song from Velcras' mostly ambient-electronica release has the dynamics I tend to like in my collection. Being a metalhead with goth tendencies leads me to add industrial and electronica into my eclectic taste. Which, includes the obvious bands like Ministry, NIN, Prodigy, Frontline Assembly, Front242, Nitzer Ebb & AndOne. This song does not quite fit that group but somehow it gives me just enough metal sounds, just enough punchy dance beats, a great memorable melody (something Velcra is very good at) and another awesome performance by singer Jessi Fray as she slips between soft melodies, sweet whispers and quasi-rap. I like the add-on feeling of each section, each verse and chorus has its own bells and whistles. Interestingly, the barely audible chorus "we want you, we want you as a new recruit" fits the chameleon mentality. How is it possible I can fall in love with such an array of sounds? The answer out there, is blowing me away.


Velcra - We Must Start Again (Industrial / Electronica, Finland 2007)
  One of my very favorite songs out of my entire listings, We Must Start Again does something that very rarely any song from any genre - not even Progressive Metal does. It actually changes colors. Its like you can see the colors go from white wispy clouds to clear blue mists and the darkest of seas as a story is begun to be told. Building on each section, this song climbs such beautiful heights, you might totally miss the songs' intention, one telling of a massive destruction from mother nature. A story of rebuilding. Which parallels the songs' actual structure. It simply keeps building. It- within itself- starts again, as titled, a few times. The vocals here are perfect. The sub chorus is a sheer delight. "your fingertips are cold and ticklish/ Your kisses on my neck- like little fish". I worry though about the Locusts arriving and apparently they arrive with a tremendous force. The final section is a delicously heavy pounding riff switching off into a double-stop syncopated, heart-accelerating beat as the bells, the keyboard hits all sit between. Truly Glorious. If you are going to change your colors, do it with glory such as this.


Silentium - Cradle of the Nameless (Symphonic Metal, Finland 2009)
  Yes I have included postings from Silentium here in my listings already, but from their gothic metal days.as of 2010, Amortean is their most recent release and its a big change from them. The gloomy, dreadful doom sounds are gone. The solo cello and lone piano moments have been switched with full orchestration. The male vocals switched to full choirs. But luckily for us, stand-out singer Riina Rinkinen is still on board and in this song, though the singing is sparse, it is great. This epic song could be featured as background music for just about any fantasy-adventure styled movie. Notice though in their back catalog, that was what they were all about. Ambiance and atmosphere. It still translates here. Though I must admit it does not break any new ground. It does reflect to influences of Nightwish and others (they ARE from Finland after all). What I enjoy about this song is how it changes, like a chameleon and the other 2 songs above it. From this perspective, the song sounds like a massive undertaking and you feel like you are going with them, the angels singing, forests enchanted, hills of green, treacherous terrain, rain, sword fights. Its all there, just close your eyes. Just dont forget at any moment how spectacular her vocals are. Her tone is soft and clear. When needed, she sings well above the heavy parts. The middle section breaks down and rebuilds. The ending, fierce and deliberate. There are other great songs, all in differing styles to offer on this CD but for me this song goes for total victory and accomplishes it.
  Perhaps Silentium will join the list of bands to successfully change their colors and continue to grow as artists. They have changed more than once. Whereas Velcra I am afraid are not continuing on. I can only do as I would anyhow, and tell others about these little known bands. And if I was lucky enough to have one of their CDs I would promise not to toss them out of a car at high velocity onto the causeway as I drive my way out to south beach.

Next Posting: Obvious? Omissions & The Greatest Moment in the History of Symphonic Metal. You wouldnt want to miss it. Thankfully with youtube, we will feel as if we were there.