Whenever I go at a
live concert, I expect to be surprised. I know the music, but I don’t know the
show. I am always looking for those details that set the live performance of
the songs apart from their studio recorded versions. With this in mind I went
to the Epica show on Friday evening. I’ve seen Epica last year in Bucharest,
when they were promoting “Design Your Universe”, now they were promoting their
latest album “Requiem for the Indifferent”. Their show at the ArtMania was
significantly shorter, however I liked the songs the band picked to cover all
their 10 year music history: “Cry for The Moon”, “Martyr of the Free World”, “Sancta
Terra”, “Consign to Oblivion”. Epica’s music is complex and calculated to
the smallest detail and these qualities become transparent in their live
performances. I enjoyed watching each band member “at work” on the stage before
me, there is a lot that can be seen and learned from them. Nonetheless I felt a
slight tension in the communication with the audience, which I also felt at the
show in Bucharest, but which is not transparent in other live records of their performances.
I think I would like to see them perform in another venue as well…
I must admit that I was
very curious about Delain’s concert, especially since their last album, “We Are
The Others” starts to shape their musical identity. I was absolutely taken
aback by Charlotte’s energy and enthusiasm, as she was by the public’s great
response. Her voice sounds amazing: powerful and melodic, she controls it very
well and is very concentrated on her technique and in the same time she
maintains a constant connection to the public. The music compliments and
contours her voice perfectly. The songs for which you should definitely go see
a Delain concert are: “Milk and Honey”, “Mother Machine”, “Get The Devil Out Of
Me”, “Invidia”, “Virtue and Vice” and “The Gathering”. Or you should go just to see a band having
fun and enjoying playing you their music.
Sing, it keeps the soul young!
Alex.
