Epica - 04 - Cry For The Moon @ Wacken 2009

Can opera be sexy?
Well, yes it appears that it can be.

Take one very hot singer, make sure she can sing opera, and throw her into the middle of a heavy metal band. It can either end up as a recipe for disaster or a fine gourmet meal in a high class restaurant. You could liken it to trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
There are many analogies that I could use to describe this music genre, but on the whole, it either appeals to you or not. There are a number of these bands in Europe which fall into this category called Symphonic Opera Metal. To name a few there is Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Therion, and Epica. Some of these bands come from countries like Holland, Italy, and Finland.
Even after studying classical music and opera for many years, I for one am not particularly fond of the majority of these singers and bands. Consequently, I will show you one example of this genre then move on, probably forever, to something completely different. For now, I invite you to view the video by Epica, “Cry For The Moon”.

Within Temptation Running Up That Hill HD English Lyrics + Subtitulado

Few female vocalists ever reach a status where their voice, style, and music influences other musicians. Such is the case with Kate Bush.
The first single from her 1985 album, The Hounds of Love, was called Running Up That Hill. Since that time, this hit song has been covered by the alternative rock band Placebo, dark wave act Faith and the Muse, gothic metal band Icon & The Black Roses, the band Chromatics, recording artist John Forte from the Fugees, symphonic rock band Within Temptation, and the list goes on.
 The most recent cover of this song was recorded by the band Track and Field and was used in the sci fi TV series Warehouse 13, proving that a good song never goes out of style.

It’s fascinating to listen to each artist and compare their varying interpretations of this song. I personally prefer the original sung by Kate Bush and the cover by Within Temptation. It is a valuable lesson in how a vocalist or band can take a song and make it their own.
Sue

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill Live

Listening To New Female Vocalists

If you asked me to list some of my favourite artists/bands, I would most likely choose a number of female artists. Yes, I admit that I am biased toward female vocalists like Enya, Kate Bush, and Sarah Mclachlan. Believe it or not, I would even throw Shakira and Britney Spears into the mix.

But the phrase “heavy metal” has no place in my vocabulary. However, much to my surprise, I may have a change of heart. I have come across a Dutch symphonic metal/rock band from the Netherlands called Within Temptation. The band is fronted by Sharon den Adel, a truly amazing female vocalist. Their music videos reflect a certain dark mood that you may or may not like. Strangely enough, this band has convinced me to be more opened minded towards different types of music and cross over to the dark side …

Tell me what yo think.

Sue

Recently, a friend of mine sent me the following quote,
"It is never too late to become what you might have been."　

Is it too late? Is it ever too late to do the things you enjoy doing?

Maybe, I'm feeling how a dancer feels when she finds her old dance shoes at the back of a dusty closet and realizes that they may no longer fit but she is going to try them on anyway. And if she manages to even take a few steps in them, she will be satisfied because at least she had the courage to do so. However, if by chance they do fit, then maybe she will dance again. Only this time she will dance for herself and the pleasure it gives her, not just to please others.
Is it ever too late to enjoy the song or the music or the dance?
Fortunately, I don't believe so.

 I can’t say for certain when Figures at Dawn will perform live again in front of an audience but I can tell you this: Yes. We want to make new music for an entire new generation of fans. We’ll shoot videos to promote our new material and we would love to hear these songs performed by younger up and coming singers and bands.When I listen to groups like Florence & The Machine I feel that this is the time for our music too. If you’ve never heard this amazing singer then do yourself a favour and watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EIeUlvHAiM

I can tell you if we had a chance to open up for her we'd rehearse until we owned the stage ! :0)　Talk to you soon,　
Sue