Epica // Live @ Irving Plaza // 1.21.16 -

Article and Photos by: Steven Principato

NYC – Playing before a packed house of infrequently satisfied fans of symphonic euro metal, three distinct acts, which can be credited for effectively spanning the gap between the generally synth driven genre of gothic rock, an aggressive European brand of death metal, and the debatable ultimate root of all that is metal: symphonic classical music.

Opening this apparent night at the opera was Chicago’s recently formed Starkill. Sporting eye makeup, indefinite beat matching seizure inducing strobe lights, and the inherent inability to keep any consumed liquids in their mouths during a performance, Starkill aggressively opened the show face first, never once coming up for air. Boasting a unique brand of guitar virtuosity and death metal vocals, lead vocalist/lead guitar warrior Parker Jameson and friends delivered a more aggressive performance than an opening band should normally be allowed.

Next up was Portugal’s veteran vampire-erotic Gothic metal legends, Moonspell. Armed with new wave inspired synth driven melodies and baritone vocals, reminiscent of the late goth/doom metal strongman Peter Steele, Moonspell is a satisfying answer to every goth girl’s late night wiccan spells cast. Founded in the early 90s, in an era when metal was rife with conflict and revolution, Moonspell has endured nearly 3 decades, and with the loyal die hard fans to prove it. Keeping a mostly contemporary set, and occasionally playing old time favorites from their debut record Wolfheart, Moonspell effortlessly handled themselves as a co-headliner rather than a supporting act. Trench coat clad front-man Fernando Ribeiro presided over the stage, arms wide and reciting lyrics in his unmistakable bottom heavy Portuguese accented tone. He told tales of sexy vampires, werewolves, and other re-occurring fantasies that cloud the daydreams of larpers and clove smokers alike.

Finally taking the stage to an exceedingly enthusiastic symphonic metal mob was Holland’s Epica. Fronted by the elegant, fire-haired Simone Simons, with her mesmerizing soprano-esqe operatic range, frequently bracketed by the consistent but contrasting growls of co-vocalist and classically inspired guitar slinger, Mark Jansen. Energized by such a broad range of musical inspiration, Epica justified an eclectic, more-than-metal audience that packed Irving Plaza to capacity on this night. As a band that has occasionally performed in concert with the support of a small orchestra under larger European venues, Epica’s performance was nothing less than…well EPIC as the name implies. Launching metal into a trajectory that many traditional (Slayer!!!) screaming American metal fans might be unwilling to follow, Epica reflects and celebrates a frequently forgotten and virtually undeniable influence that exists in the playing styles of some of the heaviest bands in existence, willing or not to recognize their classical origins.

If you prefer your metal with a bit more cultural influence, synths, make-up, and fiery haired front women of hypnotic elegance and beauty, you may want to catch Epica, Moonspell, and Starkill on their continuing North American tour:

25-01-2016

Agora Ballroom CLEVELAND, OH, US with Moonspell, Starkill

26-01-2016

Diamond Pub Music Hall LOUISVILLE, KY, US with Moonspell, Starkill

28-01-2016

Mill City Nights MINNEAPOLIS, MN, US with Moonspell, Starkill

29-01-2016

Concord Music Hall CHICAGO, IL, US with Moonspell, Starkill

30-01-2016

Ready Room ST LOUIS, MO, US with Moonspell, Starkil

01-02-2016

Lincoln Theatre RALEIGH, NC, US with Moonspell, Starkill