Added: 4 years ago
From: NoGruntEpica
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  • Del minuto 3:07 al 3:54 la voz de Simone suena simplemente angelical <3

  • Serenity is taking over all I am...

  • The video is making me dizzy

  • Oh God - If only i'd had a drummer of that quality - things might have been SO different.

    ... OK - there is the little matter of the vocalist as well .... errr who is it - mmmm - the name escapes me ..... (scratching head). ...

  • i like the grunt version because it provides a good contrast. Mark's voice sounds good with Simone's.

  • Beste band ooit.

  • @6disturbed6Smile6 egt wel

  • .O.K. - I know I keep going on about it - but the drumming THROUGHOUT this piece is some of the best I've ever heard. If you released it as a separate track on it's own - I would go out and buy it. This bloke knows when to play - and when NOT to - a mystery unknown to many drummers (even top ones). The secret is: What's good for the piece? What suits Simone's vocals? AND NOT: What get's me more attention!

  • This is, by far, one of my favorite songs by Epica! Is there anywhere I can possibly buy the CD that has this song on it? Or a place to download it from? Dance of Fate and Insomnia are also good songs. And the Last Crusade. What songs does she sing that doesn't sound good?

  • @Cidean This official No Grunt Version of an Epica masterpiece was released on the Solitary Ground Single CD as a previously unreleased track.

  • The more I hear that fantastic drumming of Ariën's from 3.20- 3.54 behind Simone's beautiful voice, the more astounded I am. The sheer subtely of it. Go on listen to it now. The blokes a master Technician. But a technician with a heart ... and a soul (a rare combination - especially in a Metal Drummer)

  • ooooh - I 've just listened to that section from 3.06 to 2.55 and me' insides have gone all jellified again (shiver).

    Simone what is the secret of your magic? One answer to that is of course the beautiful writing. Simone needs beautiful writing to bring out the best in her. And in my view that section is one of the best things they (or anybody else for that matter) has done (and its not short of competition!)

  • Orgasmic! \m/

  • Otro buen tema de epica

  • I just got all of the albums and this band deserves mors recognition just epic

  • @rob4109 I've been looking everywhere for this album, where did you get it?

  • you're voice brings angels in love

  • I didn't know Epica at all, but I must acknowledge I am fan! A splendid mix between symphonic, voice lyrics and metal...

    The whole is well to proportion, without to give to not initiated the desire for for passing to another thing

  • I like the grunts!

  • Comment removed

  • ...Oh and those bloody drums that come in behind her at 3.24. Talk about Epic. Ariën van Weesenbeek you are a GENIUS (Watch his video on the making of the drums parts on 'Design Your Universe')

  • Yep - I've applied the tingle test. And its passed with flying colours - that masterful, dreamy Simone Soliloquy from 3.06 where she takes us into another world. Tingle Factor Seven ('Beam me up Scottie')

  • ok yes, my wife would love this one... you pussy fuckers

  • @pauhell Leave the Cat out of it. Poor thing

  • If they released this as a single from 3.06 - 3.57 and extended it to two and half minutes i would go out and buy it (well download it). I love the lazy way the drums come in in this section at. 3.35. It is PURE BRILLIANCE and It is this kind of clever, 'laid back' arrangement with sudden changes of rhythm that marks Epica out as truly outstanding and puts them heads and shoulders above all their rivals. However that doesnt mean they are consistently good. 'Cause they arn't.

  • everybody gonna love u in brasil i promise you

  • everybody is gonna love u in brazil i primise

  • This is one of those Epica Numbers where they have the 'Disneyland Seven Dwarfs' male/female choruses in it (1.10-1.58 & 2.31-3.04). No they're not my favourites ('cause they sound a bit naff). BUT again -I dont want them to stop doing them 'cause they make me laugh. Thing about Epica is -they parody themselves. Its one of things (besides Simone) that makes em unique and so entertaining.

    Simone incidentally is sensational in this, ESPECIALLY FROM 3.06. (So is drums - his work rate is ferocious)

  • I don't have any problem with growling/grunting in Epica, the contrast of light and dark is what Epica is about, it's just that Mark Jansen isn't very good at it :p

  • @DrCornwallis That may be true of Metal Fan Base -but for rest of us-its numbers like Solitary Ground, Feint, Run for a Fall, Higher, Tides of Time that truly mark them out as world class. These numbers are not identifiable as Metal at all (nor Symphonic incidentally although have some orchestral input). To be honest I dont see a lot of darkness in Epica (sure they dealmwith some dark themes) - certainly not in manner of other Metal Bands. They dont take themselves too seriously (thankgoodness)

  • You know what? I prefer the album version. Without the grunts in the chorus, I kinda feel like this song is missing something. Besides, Epica isn't Epica without Mark's grunting and growling. I love the demonic/angelic contrast between Mark and Simone.

  • Great piece and thanks for posting. I have not heard the version with the grunts and growls but I have in Epica's other songs and the growling does detract from the music and why in the world would anyone want to detract from such a beautiful singing voice as that of Simone's. Listen to the great Viking metal band Amon Amarth if you want the grunts. The genre differences are subtle but distinct. Symphonic metal is a wonderful marriage of percussion, guitar, symphony and operatic vocals.

  • i don't get the meaning of this song but i'd thought i'd check it out becuse of the title "mother of light" and i have to say its likewise for epica to have another awesome song with sick drums

  • i actually love the grunts. it adds the metal to symphonic metal! go Simone and Marc!!!

  • @LSKB101 lol, it's Mark, not Marc

  • The constant moving around and manipulation of the same two pictures kind of pisses off my eyes when I'm trying to listen to the song... But other than that I fucking love Epica in every way. They're even more amazing in concert, so if you ever get the chance SEE THEM LIVE!

  • great song with or without grunts.

    the choir parts are fabulous as in all epica songs

  • I like the "grunt" version better. It's what gives it its raw beauty.

  • love the drums on this

  • I love both versions of this song

  • Why does it seem that every video seems to have a Tarja vs. Anette debate?

    Killer song by the way.

  • great song

  • this is awsome

  • Pinkpop 10 ..... i`m coming! :)

  • This is more classical, I like it

  • Stop to deify Simon Simons... I actually hate her because of all of you that think she is the best and so brillant... there are so many other like she and so better, and she is not the only one in Epica!

  • Antepenultimo parrafo

  • GENIAL!!!!!!!!!!

  • Arh... This version was lame... The original is better.

  • fucking awesome!!

  • Epica and Simone are great!

    with or without grunts :D

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  • What separates Epica from other symphonic bands is Simone's beautiful voice and excellent writing by the band.

  • @NoGruntEpica well the writting is weak comparing with Nightwish or Within Temptation

  • @overloadgr

    Any song in The Phantom Agony is better written than any song that Within Temptation had ever written. But you are right about Nightwish.

  • @NoGruntEpica That's like saying what separates a good band from a bad band is the good band is good :p

    Good vocals and music are pretty much the only elements which you judge a band off of

  • @NoGruntEpica Well said matey.

  • @NoGruntEpica You got it - great summary! However could we just have one number per set where Mark is allowed to grunt - (sorry asthmatically wheeze) - ONLY ONE HONEST - because it makes me (and Simone and Amanda etc) laugh?

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  • @NoGruntEpica plus the unique instrumental tunes in epica u can knw an epica song directly frm the begining of their song by just hearing the intro

  • basically youre saying epica is nothing more than NW with grunts?

    bullshit.

  • Well, I don't think grunts have anything special to offer to this song. I didn't even notice jansen's absence in vocals the first time i heard this video! In my opinion ( and that's just my opinion ) jansen's grunts are not adding that much quality to epica. Anyway, a good song from a good band!

  • uhm, without those grunts epica would have been a ripoff of WT or NW, the grunts make Epica different and unique in their own way and thats why i like them the most (after Kamelot)

    i dun have anything against WT or NW but the style of Epica is better, im not saying that the grunts define Epica, im saying that the grunts perfectionize the music of Epica in my opinion

  • i love screaming and grunts just as much as the next metalhead, but after hearing this, I agree. Epica sounds a ton better without the grunting. The singer's voice is too beautiful.

  • Could such great songs like the The Divine Conspiracy, Menace Of Vanity, and Consign To Oblivion, be the same without grunts?

  • How could you have this music and not have grunts in them?

  • a total joke. I could argument for a while why those grunts exist, but prolly most of ppl still wouldn't understand the reason of their existence. I've talked about this subject with prolly 10 people before and every single of them got it and agreed with it, though.

    have to say that go to listen Evanescene or some other mainstreamers if you dislike 'em too much. grunts are very essential part of Epica and it's what makes them special in their own way (contrast with Simone's voice)

  • @creativenick1

    well if you've talked to prolly 10 people before and they agreed then I'm sure that encompasses everyone then huh?

    It's not a total joke. It's cool if you don't like this version. I'm not going to bash you for it, but don't bash people like me for liking this one better. It's just a preference.

  • well I admit I didn't make myself clear. sorry about that. I just mean that ppl who don't like grunts should understand why they are essential for many ppl. still ppl shouldn't like them if they dont. that's my point :) it's for the contrast what Mark is always talking about and and feeling what it gives to the song! :)

  • Yeah fair enough. And that's a good argument too. I just don't like the grunt in general and it's Mark's grunting that keeps me from just falling in love with Epica, as they are the songs where they don't do the grunt like Last Crusade are some of my favorite symphonic metal songs I've heard.

  • Agreed. Not everyone likes death metal grunting...ruins Epica for me in many ways. Lots of people like it--fine. Just too bad Epica's lovely music contains it, since a lot of other people will turn away, like me. Simone's voice is radiant, and being a classical cellist I appreciate the strings and soaring vocals. Then the death grunting comes in....yuck. Every grunter I've heard sounds exactly the same. Grunting and screaming are not singing, sorry. Not everyone's preference.

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  • Grunts suck, period.

    That's the main reason why I'm not a big Epica fan. Otherwise, I would adore them.

    It's frustrating, really.

    I love Simone's voice and Epica's music is really good, but those grunts... damn, I can't stand them.

  • @SydBarker grunts are the thing what makes the band different from for example within temptation. it makes 'em less mainstream, seriously. and I don't mean this to be offensive to them because I like WT a lot, too.

  • @SydBarker Agreed, oh so much.

  • i disagree as a fan of heavy and dark and goth metal alot include grunts if PROPERLY done they can be a hella skill. Problem is most do them wrong or off on the timing epicas are not the worst or best but i like having more then one version to enjoy!

  • funny since they made this version themselves yes the grunts are good but simone could carry the band without them

  • @TearisShatteredMoon of course could, but grunts are there to stay. they want to keep their style because it separates them from other similar artists (whom are mostly mainstreamers).

  • I never said they werent or that i disliked them I am just saying there is more to the band then them and disliking an offical release is kinda silly.

  • Well, if they consider that more important than the fact that the grunts are just plain ugly and disturbing.

    Well, at least to me, and a few other people. Unfortunately not to most people :P

  • I don't think Epica would be able to keep on playing the same style if they were to loose the grunts, Could you image a gruntless Menace Of Vanity

  • Did I ever say they needed to go without grunts? I said I like them though he is not the best grunter out there its good its part of who they are but they themselves make songs without it its all parts of their style

  • @zerobuu A gruntless Menace of Vanity would just be an epic FAIL.

  • @sparileidlon Not even close. Sound more like Nightwish than ever without the grunts. Simone Simons beats the living s**t out of Britney Spears. Not to mention that the band that plays for Britney Spears is about as talented as my left nut. Epica is great whether you like grunts or not.

  • Ahah! I was joking, but actually i dont really like nightwish.

  • Ah, that's better. The grunts are the only thing I don't like about Epica.

  • I think the Grunt version is much better. It's a zenith song of gothic metal for me. guttural voice and mezzosoprano coloratura in duet, unique piece!

  • i like it better with grunts..

  • Agree with bodombodom123, without screams it's not the same. I like grunts in contrast to Simone's voice ^.^

  • It's cool that there's both versions then huh? I can't stand the grunts, just in general, not just with Epica so this fits me much better. Simone is out of this world awesome.

  • OMG :O this is awesome <3

  • ik vind het filmpje beetje spacend :P

  • I always liked this version way better, even though I generally don't have a problem with Mark's vocal stylings. This version should have been on the album, and the grunt version should've been on the single.

  • upss!!!

    i did not notice that this song was without grunts until i read the comments!!..........lol

    i like both of the versions ^_^

    they are really awesome

  • Yay!

    I don't like grunts at all, so this is great! :)

  • Ditto!

  • aguante epica

  • excelent song, crazy drums and voice!

  • Comment removed

  • Stil nice, but without grunts it's kind of... incomplete

  • No, this is f**king great without grunts! Don't get me wrong, those grunts are not bad, it's just that they somewhat drown out Simone's kickass voice. Simone's voice is pure gold and should be preserved as much as possible ;)

  • im not a fan of grunts or death meatal screams but i prefer the original.its much better

  • I simply like them so much! I had the chance to see Epica @ Gods of Metal few days ago and now I'm in peace

  • nah.. I prefer the version ith grunts

  • suena rara.... jejejeje... como tambien suene Living a lie de The classical Conspiracy... Solo Simone

  • Epica is one of the few bands where I enjoy grunts. I sort of prefer the original. Hadn't heard this one though. Thanks.

  • Hmm, I like the grunts better. I think the contrast between the two voices sounds nice, kinds like how black contrasts white.

  • does this happen with most metal bands? some never ending controversy? grunt, no grunt, tarja or anette, blah blah blah

  • @GothicGrey

    Unfortunately, yes. Almost every band has some sort of ''controversy'' among the fans....

  • @GotchicGrey and @TwilightAronXD

    yeah but be glad it's only grunt or no grunt, and not Tarja or Anette ^^

  • Those Nightwish fans need to learn how to deal with change. I'm a Nightwish fan myself, they are the ones who got me into this kind of music but they are still great with Anette. And about Epica I love the contrast with the grunts but also like this version...as long as these bands don't make rap albums lol

  • about Nightwish: sorry to say it, I'm a real FAN of NW, but the stuff they do with Anette, i just can not stand it. (saw it live, paris 2008, believe me, exepted The Siren, she did pretty well, the reste was .. basic.)

    about Epica: versions without grunting are 10x better :D

  • @SuxxCss I don't think Anette should sing the old songs either lol, thank god she never sung Swanheart

  • Well wouldn't the comments be quite boring without some controversy? ;-)

    Tarja > Anette, + grunting > - grunting...

  • I like the grunt version better... they kick more ass then this version... but this is of course good too!

  • m suena MAZO de rara asi

    m encanta los gruñidos

    viva mark jansen

  • Much better without grunts I think

  • This song is perfect any way....but I like the grunts, it gives a little extra...

  • awesome. there songs are good. but sometimes i just wanna hear just clean vocals

  • I think this is better

  • I think that all Epica's songs are masterpieces WITH the grunts

  • it's a very cool song. with or without grunts :-)

    so it's nice

  • i'm only prefer this song and never enough with grunts

  • I like the version with grunts more... <3

  • I personally like it with the grunts more.

  • Prefer the song with grunts, but this is fine too.

  • Chill out! If you didn't notice in the title, Epica officially released this version on one of their singles. They removed the grunts themselves! So, if you are going to rip into anyone, rip into Epica for providing us with an alternative version of their own material.

  • I know, I read the title. But it's not because this is an official version of the song that you didn't make "no grunt" versions on your own. I still don't get why you're listening to Epica if you don't like grunts.

  • I fell in love with Simone's awesome vocals, the bombastic and majestic orchestrations and chorus merging symphonic, power, progressive, and goth metal ... I actually listen to both versions ... but prefer to something more Simone centric than their contrasty light and dark essence. If you are a purist, listen to the original ... if not, this is simply an alternative ... nothing more.

  • i agree ballads are as much rock as headbanging and i like having options thanks for the post

  • kill yourself

  • @Talttua What, you can't listen to a band when 9/10 of it is awesome and 1/10 is hard to listen to? I'd love to see your logic applied to just about any other subject.

  • totally agree with you

  • amazing chorus!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • This isn't the best song to remove grunts, but is a nice alternate version.

    In Divine Conspiracy are a lot of songs that will be great with an alternate no-grunt version, also without the heaviest part of some song (for example in chasing the dragon that have both)

  • i love to epica

  • Simone is beautiful, the music is great, Epica rules!

  • I don't usually like grunts, but this song just sounds incomplete without them.

  • i agree

  • Beautiful song....

  • EPICA SINCE DAY 1

  • Meh. I prefer the version WITH the grunts.

  • EPICA FOR THE LIFE

  • Great work. Now, go do the rest of their songs. Thanks so much.

  • Wonderful song

  • Hi, just wanted to say that i love both of the versions of this song, it's an amazing song. second, i really loved to read what you (NoGruntEpica) wrote in the "more info" section. really intersting, it sounds like you have many things to say about their music. love to hear more.

  • Too good song lol :)

  • it's interesting to hear the song without grunts. both of them are really good, i love it!

  • Cool!!! Beatiful songs and singer:D

    The best EPICA!!!

  • In the Opera Festival the grunt parts should be sung by a tenor. That would be great.

  • yes^^

    but i also like sensorium,fools of damnation,feint,run for a fall,etc!!

  • epica ruuuulz!

  • como q esta muy pobre la fotografia ehhh!!!!

  • o a la otra pones mas fotos ps

  • epica.... nice group, nice music a bit original exelent vocals.

    P/S IRON MAIDEN ROCKS (I know it doesn't have to do with anything but they're best band ever)

    UP THE IRONS

  • Good call NoGruntEpica, with the "Let the controcersy begin..."

  • also it would be cooler to place a clear male voice on the part for grunt^^ not delete because it destroy the song if something missing :(

  • That could work. Personally, I've listened to this song so much that hearing just any diffen't variation is a nice touch.

  • this is Epica 's best song.

  • this and "quietus" :)

  • CABRON TE VOY A COMPRAR MAS FOTOS....

  • I would love to see an album of Epica without grunts. I love metal but I hate grunts and I know taht's really complicated. Love Simone!!!

  • i prefer Grunt Version ^^

    but its ok :]

  • Huh, well, this is certainly different. I'd imagine it'd be a bit of a shock for people to hear this first, and then the one that was released on "Consign to Oblivion." It's kinda the same if you're used to the CtO version with the growls, because for me, the song sounds kinda hollow without them now. After listening to it a couple times though, after the shock has died away, I'd say it's a perfectly acceptable verison as well, although I personally prefer the CtO version of this song.

  • Personally, Simone's singing and the beautiful backing vocals are enough to make me tolerate the grunts (and Mark Jensen is pretty good at what he does). In some songs (Facade of Reality and Cry for the Moon, especially) the grunting is even growing on me. The grunting even adds a nice contrast, even if I don't particularly care for it.

  • growls/grunts suck anyway lol