Main Image Credit: Miy4t, for Azur Lane 2nd Annviersary
While the tour may be headlined by Sabaton, Epica is no slouch. Primary vocal duties are handled by the lovely Simone Simons, with Mark Jansen handling growls and Isaac Delahaye backing. Epica is a symphonic metal band based out of the Netherlands, and as of this year, is two decades old. They've come a long way and have refined their sound to what it is now. The music is, well, epic. The band's name was inspired by another power metal band, Kamelot, and their album "Epica." Give it a few months and I'm sure I'll be writing about them too.
Most pertinent is their EP based on Attack on Titan, which any manga and anime fan should recognize. This EP leads off with Crimson Bow and Arrow, better known as Guren no Yumiya. They take cues from Japanese symphonic metal band Sound Horizon's original version of the opening song, but with an Epica twist. Revo, leader of Sound Horizon, actually went directly to Epica after one of their Japanese shows and asked if they would create English versions of some of their songs. Epica ended up covering not just Guren no Yumiya but Jiyuu no Tsubasa (Wings of Freedom), Moshi Kono Kabe no Naka ga Ikken no Ie da to Shitara (If Inside These Walls Was a House), and Shinzou wo Sasageyo! (Dedicate Your Heart!).
Epica's most recent album is "Omega" from February 2021, which was later supplemented with the streamed performances titled Omega Alive in June of that year. We can expect to hear a number of songs from that album along with some of their staples like Consign to Oblivion, Cry for the Moon, and Storm the Sorrow.
If I had to pick a Japanese contemporary, it would be Sound Horizon (obviously), Elfensjón, or Yousei Teikoku.
Fans of Japanese anime and games may not be that familiar Sabaton, but those of you who play Wargaming's World of Tanks and World of Warships should recognize them. They've paired together with Wargaming for a few songs including Primo Victoria, Steel Commanders, and Bismarck. Bismarck itself was part of a three-way collaboration between Sabaton, World of Warships, and Yostar's mobile game Azur Lane. World of Warships had an in-game Azur Lane event, Azur Lane released Bismarck as a playable ship, and Sabaton released the song, all at the same time.
Bismarck, in all her glory
Sabaton has been around for just over twenty years. Lead vocalist Joakim Broden is well-known for his armor and black sunglasses, which he wears whether inside or out. Almost all of Sabaton's songs are based on real-life battles or themes; think of it as crossing history with metal. Joakim once said, "If we're going to sing about war, we might as well sing about the real thing." His style is intense, the music is powerful, and it'll get your blood pumping from the get-go. Don't be surprised if everyone around you is singing along. They've earned nods for Best Live Band multiple times for a reason.
Just like their previous album, "The Great War," their latest album, "The War to End All Wars," is based on World War I. A couple of songs from "The War to End All Wars" which I'll point out are Soldier of Heaven and Christmas Truce. Going to their extended discography, I suggest Night Witches, 40:1, Winged Hussars, Midway, Shiroyama, Angels Calling, Last Dying Breath, and of course, Ghost Division, which anyone who has seen a live show can attest to. This is in addition to the previously mentioned Primo Victoria and Bismarck. They're another band where they have too many good songs that it's impossible to fit them all into one show.
The San Francisco Bay Area show date is 9/21/22, at Oakland's Fox Theater. For those of you in Southern California, they'll also be making a stop at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on 9/23/22. They'll be crisscrossing the US and going to most major areas. The terminus for the tour will be at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York on 10/23/22.
Show dates as follows:
9/15/22 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
9/16/22 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
9/17/22 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
9/19/22 Boise, ID - Revolution Concert House
9/21/22 Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
9/23/22 Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium
9/24/22 Phoenix, AZ - Arizona Federal Theatre
9/25/22 Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl
9/27/22 Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
9/28/22 Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium
9/30/22 Dallas, TX - South Side Ballroom
10/1/22 Houston, TX - Bayou Music Center
10/3/22 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
10/4/22 Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
10/6/22 Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore Silver Spring
10/8/22 Cincinnati, OH - The Andrew J Brady Music Center
10/10/22 Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
10/11/22 Grand Rapids, MI - GLC Live at 20 Monroe
10/13/22 Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore
10/15/22 Chicago, IL - Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
10/17/22 Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
10/18/22 Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore
10/21/22 Boston, MA - MGM Music Hall at Fenway
10/22/22 Montreal, QC (CA) - Place Bell
10/23/22 New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
We'll see you in Oakland. Maybe Los Angeles, too.
