A Night of Beach Balls and Metal Opera: Epica and Sabaton

Oct 10

Written By Lauren Jewell/Roaming Roach Photography

Alrighty friends, listen up! If you ever, and I mean EVER, get a chance to see Epica or Sabaton [or both at the same time if you’re lucky] YOU NEED TO DO IT.
After some careful consideration, I believe it's safe to say that the production was even more impressive than Ghost was. And I feel like that’s saying a lot.
Firstly, another one of the photographers [Hi Kayla!] and I both agreed that we would marry the person in charge of the lights because it was phenomenal. Sometimes at concerts there’s this constant blue or red lighting and though it’s really cool and sets the mood, it doesn’t always result in great photos. … But then again I’m still figuring out Lightroom so maybe that’s just a me problem.

On to the show!

EPICA:
They really put the ‘Epic’ in Epica and y’know what I realize that’s probably super cheesy sounding but they were awesome live. High School me was thrilled to see and hear Simone Simons in the real world just made me so very happy. THOSE PIPES!

Other notes I had taken during Epica:
- The keyboardist [Coen Janssen] kept spinning the keyboard but then at some point he had a KEYBOARD BELT WAT?
- Epica is amazing live and they look like they’re having so much fun and if this person [I believe one of the guitar players] makes one more funny face I will be too busy laughing to take pictures so this is a problem - but a good one.

SABATON:
When I mentioned production, their set up was intense. Before they went on the crowd also got their hands on an inflatable ball and were chanting ‘oh shit oh shit!’ and we were all very invested and cheering whenever the ball made it up the balcony. It served as a great distraction while the stage crew were finishing up and doing the final details. Also, the attention to detail? Awesome. They were all wearing military looking uniforms so they definitely blended right into the aesthetic of the show.

When they came out there was a grand reveal … a tank. There was a tank. On the stage. With the drummer on top. I don’t know how any other show can possibly top that, but I look forward to going to more concerts to see them try.

Other notes I had taken during Sabaton:
- They’re making me feel like I just chugged a monster and want to watch WW1 Documentaries

So yeah - here are some photos! :D