There seemed to be too much stand back views of the stage and not enough close up work on the performers. The film could have been done better too but maybe that is just a matter of taste. The sound quality is good but the laser lighting is overdone for most of the performance and to be honest it detracts from it. I am quite new to Epica but I am finding their brand of music quite interesting and getting more into it.
Retrospect is the full 3-hour concert by Epica to celebrate 10 years of their music. I think the lighting was better when I saw Epica last year in a small 1000 capacity or so club.
The lighting definitely should have been brighter and more diffused but the show is still quite viewable. Sometimes the lighting is so focused and bright it is like a pillar on the stage that you cannot see through and that is annoying. On Rush's recent blu ray there is a huge difference between the lossless 5.1 DTS HD and the DD 2.0 track and it would have been nice to hear it on this release.Ī lot of people comment on the lighting and I think it is not great but not terrible. Strangely even the DD 5.1 doesn't sound very surround-like and sounds similar to the PCM stereo. Lossless 5.1 should be standard for concert blu rays but this release doesn't have it. I subtract one star for not having lossless 5.1 surround on the bluray and for the lighting which strangely doesn't seem to light up the band members like you would think. The show will be released as a DVD and let’s hope in a HD Bluray.I have not watched this whole show but the first few songs look and sound good. In those ten years Epica is grown into a mature band that is ready for a fortunated future. It contains everything the fans wish for, even acrobatic stunts and (traditional) uncovered chests from the men at the end. The show alternates heavy songs with quieter moments, and all sorts of fireworks and flames projections participate to creating an unforgettable anniversary for all the fans.Īccording to Mark Jansen’s words “the fans come from about fifty countries this night” and a packed, sweaty Klokgebouw is the prove of that.Įpica presents a fairytalealike, bombastic anniversary with grandeur and style.
Guitarist Ad Sluijter, bass player Yves Hutsand Jeroen Simonson drums join Simone, Mark Jansen, and Coen Janssen on stage, like in the good old times, for the song ‘ Quietus’. It is also not possible to celebrate Epica’s anniversary without the participation of the band members that were present at the very beginning of the adventure. The two women show a great complicity and complementarity on stage. The second time is to perform the uptempo song ‘ Sancta Terra’. The first appearance is to perform, together with Simone and just the orchestra, a cover of 18th century Pergolesi’s ‘ Stabat Mater Dolorosa’. Also taking care of the entourage and fairytale alike the front lady opens the show wearing a black cloak.Įpica is also joined twice on stage by Floor Jansen. It is a grande finale of ten years, filled with guest performances and a ‘time-travel’ in their history. Besides the quality of the music and in a different setting, the band well thought- out every second. It is ‘the most ambitious project to date’ as announced in advance and that comes with high expectations. The set is well balanced between all of Epica’s albums and includes some breaks by the orchestra, like the ‘ The Imperial March’ (Starwars) or a medley of different songs by Epica. The band lead by singer Simone Simons performs a three-hour set, which is much longer than the average concerts of this Dutch pride. One can for example see Doro Pesch, Amaranthe and ex Epica band members congratulate the band for this anniversary. Prior to the show, some videos of congratulations are shown on a white curtain that is hiding the stage. For the first time there is an online streaming: Retrostream is broadcasted in HD for many international fans. The concert takes place in front of a sold out 4,500 people in the Eindhoven Klokgebouw in the Netherlands.īesides the Retrospect show, it is possible for fans to be involved. It is the same orchestra and choir with whom Epica recorded their live album ‘ The Classical Conspiracy’ in 2009.
For the occasion, the seventy-piece Hungarian Extended Remenyi Ede Chamber Orchestra and the Choir of Miskolc National Theatreis accompanying the band on stage. World famous Dutch symphonic metal band Epica celebrates their tenth anniversary on this 23 March 2013.