When revisiting EPICA’s 20-year history, the band’s very first DVD recording “We Will Take You With Us” is a significant milestone, showing the 6 young musicians on Netherland’s renowned TV show ‘Twee Meter Sessies’ in 2004. Long before YouTube emerged, this broadcast presented the symphonic metallers to a wider audience and also included the first officially recorded live versions of their early hits like “Cry For The Moon” or “Sensorium”.
While many EPICA fans might have already seen snippets of this release online, the CD has long been sold out. Finally, it’s available again as part of the “We Will Take You With Us” Earbook, collector’s boxset, and CD clamshell box. Watch the 4K remastered clip for “Run For A Fall (Acoustic)” now below.
EPICA keyboardist Coen Janssen remembers the recordings: “This was one of the very first acoustic/small settings in which we played as a band. I have very fond memories of playing in the famous Wisseloord Studios. One more thing I remember is being very nervous because it felt so ’naked’ in a way but I am very happy that we have this version to look back at!”
In case you missed it, a whole lot is happening in EPICA’s universe this year for their 20th anniversary as a band. You can still pre-order the early years collection “We Will Take You With Us” and “Live At Paradiso” that will both be out on September 2nd.
If you missed the band during their recent run of summer festival performances, you can now enjoy their long sold-out Anniversary Show in Tilburg from home with an exclusive, pro-shot live stream of the entire performance that will contain plenty of surprises in the setlist, guests and spectacular stage effects. Tickets and bundles are available HERE, with early bird prices only valid until 12th August, so be quick!
Coen Janssen comments: “We are extremely happy to be able to share our anniversary — not only with the lucky ones who got a ticket, but also with everybody else in the world! Our loyal fanbase is everywhere around this planet and through this livestream we can let everyone be part of this party. It wouldn’t be a birthday bash without you!! So, grab your drinks and warn the neighbors, because this is going to be a noisy night!”
In addition, you will also get to witness the return of a band that had disappeared off the face of the earth for the last 20 years. The pre-EPICA band SAHARA DUST will reunite for a special one-off live performance to open the show. Don’t miss them, because although you might have never heard of them, their history is heavily interwoven with EPICA‘s inception.
Starting live at 19:30 CEST (1:30 p.m. EST/10:30 a.m. PST),the shows will remain online for 72 hours for fans in different time zones to re-watch in their account at any time within that period. Early bird tickets are available until August 12, and bundles are available with limited edition merchandise that will only be available with the stream or directly at the anniversary show in Tilburg. Secure your tickets for this special event at www.epicastream.com.
EPICA was formed by composer Mark Jansen after leaving AFTER FOREVER in 2002, and the band quickly gained attention outside their home country, taking big steps towards becoming the leading symphonic metal superpower they have long proven to be. After their ambitious debut “The Phantom Agony” (2002) and the surprisingly eclectic sophomore work “Consign To Oblivion” (2005),the road took them to new heights via their first concept masterpiece “The Divine Conspiracy” (2007) and their global breakthrough “Design Your Universe” (2009). 2012’s opus “Requiem For The Indifferent”, 2014’s bedazzling “The Quantum Enigma” and “The Holographic Principle” (2016),cemented their reputation as not only one of the hardest-working metal bands in the business but also as one of the best. With 2021’s “Omega”, the final part of the metaphysical trilogy they began with “The Quantum Enigma”, they reclaimed the throne without so much as the blink of an eye, amassing three million-plus streams during the first week of the album’s release.
