21.10.2012 Epica

Metal Female Voices Fest X

Oktoberhallen Wieze (Belgium)

(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 Xandria had left the stage it was enlargened for the highlight of the festival. As no other band is so connected to the Metal Female Voices Fest than the band Epica. Not less than 8 gigs they played there (only during the last year the paused). Who else would have been more predestinated to headline the festival?
Additionally in the beginning of the year their new album "Requiem For The Indifferent" was released. As I already wrote at the single concert review it is the most complex one they released up to now but in my eyes also the best one. Only live it could not fully convince me but that may be due to the fact that during the album release show they played the whole album dominating the then played concert. I think that the songs contained live are not so good as they are really complex. Today that was not the case and Epica compiled a really great melange. Of course there were songs of the latest album with "Monopoly Of Truth" or "Serenade Of Self-Distruction" but otherwise all other ones were also represented.
Besides the overwhelming musical performance (I have really never seen a concert of them being dropped to a lower level and up to now that were already some I have seen) a bombastic show on stage may not be missing. As I already wrote in the beginning first the stage was extended. The space was filled by an enormous wall of floodlights. Additionally microphone stands formed by pipe constructions and last but not least of course there were really many steam and pyro effects. To mark the occasion there was also "The Phantom Agony" but not in the used way but in a party version. This terrific concert was closed by three encores whereas traditionally "Consign To Oblivion" formed the ending.
What else needs to be said: This gig outclassed everything that had been on this festival and Epica proved once more that they have an absolute exceptional position in metal. No matter if it were the epic songs or the unbelievable voice or the charisma of front woman Simone Simons. A great jubilee festival found a deserved ending and you may be curious about what the promoters of the festival will present next year. I will for sure be there and am already now waiting for the start of the ticket sales.

Setlist:

Karma
Monopoly On Truth
Sensorium
Unleashed
Martyr Of The Free Word
Serenade Of Self-Destruction
The Obsessive Devotion
Sancta Terra
Cry For The Moon
Storm The Sorrow
The Phantom Agony ("party version")

Encore:

Delirium
Blank Infinity
Consign To Oblivion

Weblinks:

	Epica Website of the Dutch band Epica.
	Metal Female Voices Fest Homepage of the Metal Female Voices festival at Wieze (Belgium).
	Oktoberhallen Homepage of the Oktoberhallen at Wieze (Belgium).