# Battle of Symphonic Metal! Nightwish vs Epica! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 13, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102 "2019-03-13T23:33:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/1 "2019-03-13T23:33:05Z")
I’ve never had the chance to see either of them live, only the videos of the live performances, and they both seem to put on a GREAT show, has anyone seen both band and can offer an assessment? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/2 "2019-03-13T23:42:10Z")
I haven’t seen either live, but I’ll chime in just based on personal preference. Nightwish is my favorite band and I often find Epica to be disappointing. [I think this performance from Nightwish is one of my favorite live performances I’ve ever seen.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYjIlHWBAVo) ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2019, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/3 "2019-03-14T18:04:47Z")
I have seen Epica but not Nightwish (God, I wish though!) Epica put on a fine performance and it was fun. I can’t remember too terribly much of it because it was the first metal show I’ve been to in years, and the first show I went to at the House of Blues here in Orlando, so I wasn’t as seasoned of a concert vet to pay attention to details. Also working against me was I only listened to a handful of Epica’s songs so I was largely ignorant of the songs being played. That being said, it was a fun show! The lead singer sounded great live and the best takeaway was the keyboardist had a portable keyboard he walked around with that was fun to see. The biggest negative was the final song they divided the viewing floor up and started a giant mosh pit. I don’t most. Most importantly, Mrs. Cups, who I dragged to the show, doesn’t mosh. Since HOBs aren’t the biggest venues there wasn’t really a place we could escape to…so that sucked. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2019, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/4 "2019-03-14T18:52:53Z")
I have seen Nightwish. They seem like a good band. ---
**Author:** ![Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/59ef9b/32.png) [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorkshire_Pudding)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/5 "2019-03-18T23:26:43Z")
I honestly know absolutely nothing about Epica, but my Dad’s mate Troy is in Nightwish, so I shall shamelessly lob in a vote for them…! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/6 "2019-03-18T23:55:39Z")
> [@Yorkshire\_Pudding](#): > > I honestly know absolutely nothing about Epica, but my Dad’s mate Troy is in Nightwish, so I shall shamelessly lob in a vote for them…! That is beyond cool. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/7 "2019-03-19T06:56:06Z")
Which _version_ of Nightwish? Floor is (IMO) quite different from Tarja. That being said, Nightwish. What other metal act is endorsed by _Richard Dawkins_? Although if _Within Temptation_ was included on the ballot, I’d be torn… ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/8 "2019-03-19T11:05:03Z")
Honestly, I prefer Floor to Tarja. Poor Annette gets overlooked in these conversations, but I think she did a fine job, she just had the misfortune of following Tarja. And yes, Sharon from Within Temptation is wonderful as well. Though my heart will always hold Anneke van Giersbergen #1. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/9 "2019-03-19T11:30:25Z")
Yeah, but The Gathering is more Gothic than Symphonic. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/10 "2019-03-19T15:11:44Z")
Do NightWish even tour anymore? I looked on their website and it seems they haven’t done much in recent months outside of a small European one. I’d give anything to see them live ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/11 "2019-03-19T15:17:57Z")
I’m not familiar with either of the bands mentioned, but wouldn’t ‘Symphonic Metal’ be an oxymoron? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/12 "2019-03-19T15:33:31Z")
Where does [Evanesence](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YxaaGgTQYM)fit into this battle? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/13 "2019-03-19T15:33:46Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I’m not familiar with either of the bands mentioned, but wouldn’t ‘Symphonic Metal’ be an oxymoron? Not even a little. Do yourself a favor and look the bands up. Strings and horns do wonders behind an electric guitar. Check out Metallica’s S&M album too. They did a concert with an orchestra and it’s my favorite album of all time ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/14 "2019-03-19T16:22:41Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Yeah, but The Gathering is more Gothic than Symphonic. The Gathering has been all over the map, honestly. Started as doom metal, then something slightly like symphonic, then a kind of avant garde progressive something. Definitely agree that they were never really full symphonic metal like Nightwish, though Nightwish has mentioned them as an influence. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/15 "2019-03-19T16:25:26Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Where does [Evanesence](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YxaaGgTQYM)fit into this battle? I do love Amy Lee’s vocals. I need to see how everything comes together with a heavier sound, I think. I’m used to the heavier metal sound. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/16 "2019-03-19T16:32:40Z")
It’s always a real treat to hear these bands with a full orchestra backing them. Ear candy for sure. For anyone interested, there was a Christian metal band called Believer who was one of the first to combine operatic vocals with metal music, back in 1990. They continued this combination on their next album, Dimensions. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LqBHpKHCy3Y/maxresdefault.jpg "Believer-Dies Irae (Day Of Wrath).") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqBHpKHCy3Y) ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/17 "2019-03-19T16:45:44Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Where does [Evanesence](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YxaaGgTQYM)fit into this battle? > [@Cuckoorex](#): > > I do love Amy Lee’s vocals. I need to see how everything comes together with a heavier sound, I think. I’m used to the heavier metal sound. I would think Evanescance is more of a metal/hard rock band with a female lead singer moreso than a symphonic metal band (who usually have female lead singers). Other than a small handful of songs, I don’t see many symphonic elements to them. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/18 "2019-03-19T17:00:32Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I would think Evanescance is more of a metal/hard rock band with a female lead singer moreso than a symphonic metal band (who usually have female lead singers). > > Other than a small handful of songs, I don’t see many symphonic elements to them. When I hear/see NightWish - (for example - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEERFBI9eCg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEERFBI9eCg) ) I don’t hear/see ‘symphonic’ - I hear the same type of metal/rock as I hear/see with Evanescance. I agree wholeheartedly that symphonic elements in rock/roll/metal can be fantastic - I just don’t see them ‘here’. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/19 "2019-03-19T17:11:28Z")
This one - from Epica - [Epica - Cry For The Moon - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dys1_TuUmI4) - I definitely see it - going to add more of these to the rotation;. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102/20 "2019-03-19T18:14:24Z")
[The Poet and The Pendulum](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOu8PLiTC3k) A song from Nightwish I consider the absolute epitome of Symphonic Metal [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-symphonic-metal-nightwish-vs-epica/831102.md?page=2)