“17 months without playing.
17 months without doing what we love most…”
For many years now, the comparative of epic has simply been EPICA.
Since their formation in 2002 and their quick ascension to stalwarts of
symphonic metal noblesse with trailblazing masterpieces “The Divine
Conspiracy” (2007) or “Requiem for the Indifferent” (2012), Dutch metal
titans only knew one way: Up. Especially with their last three releases
“The Quantum Enigma”, “The Holographic Principle” and this years’
“?mega”, forming a metaphysical trilogy that’s both alpha and omega
of all things symphonic metal, EPICA became rightful monarchs of a genre
they themselves helped made become a global phenomenon.
Yet, as every other band, EPICA couldn’t take their latest installment of
breathtaking cinematic grandeur to the seven corners of the world as
they would have normally done. You know why. Thus, plans have been
made and visions fulfilled to produce a once-in-a-lifetime event that
couldn’t be further away from yet another streaming show. What EPICA
unleashed upon the world on Saturday, June 12th, 2021, was a monument
to their music, their career, and their enduring legacy as forebears
of a whole genre. Now finally being released on Blu-ray and DVD and
various audio formats, “?mega Alive” is the EPICA show of your wildest
dreams, brought to life by blood, sweat, tears and a healthy dose of
megalomania. Think Marvel meeting Cirque de Soleil in a Tim Burton
universe.
Celebrating the release of their gargantuan new opus magnum, „?mega“,
the streaming event saw fans from over a 100 countries flock to the
screens to witness a show that has proven to be the defining moment in
EPICA‘s concert history. A show that’s nothing short of the band’s most
explosive performance to date, brought to life with an enormous production
on an ever-evolving stage setting that’s full of visual surprises.
For the first time ever, EPICA performed songs like ‘The Skeleton Key’ or
the insanely monumental “Kingdom of Heaven Part 3” from “?mega”,
alongside the band’s most popular songs, rare songs, fan favorites and
huge surprises. “What started as a basic idea to do an online release
show for “?mega” quickly spiraled out of control and became our most
ambitious project to date,” creative director and keyboard wizard Coen
Janssen says. “As usual, we wanted to push the boundaries, explore the
limits, and think outside the box. We found ourselves back in our happy
place. This concert film was our ray of light for you in the dark times that
we have all been living in.”
For half a year, the band worked tirelessly on a show that’s been setting
a new standard for concert films and streaming events. “What we wanted
to do was the ultimate EPICA show where we could fulfill every dream
we ever had, where there was room for all the ideas, effects and props
that are just too big to be taken on tour.” Far from your usual streaming
concert, the band developed a trademark feature called a “living backdrop.”
Coen explains: “We built another stage right behind our stage
where lots of things were going on the whole time. And we meant that
very literally,” he laughs. “Every song got something extra, something
unique that was fitting its world.”
He can say that again: Elaborate visuals, tailor-made videos and graphic
effects, fire, and flames on a Nibelungen level, dancers and actors,
artistic performances or fire performers all add to the aura of symbolism
and cinematic splendor, setting the stage for a band that can’t be happier
to finally bring their new album to life, harmonizing wonderfully
and giving their A game for a show to remember. “It was so great finally
playing with the band again, actually standing on stage with them. Boy,
did we miss this,” Coen emphasizes and adds: “We also built a pretty
cool new stage with some fire-breathing snakes and lots of rotating elements.
Good thing is, we might also take it on the road when we can
finally tour again.”
Until then, “?mega Alive” will be a more tha
