HellFest 2025 – Day Two: Epica Ignite the Stage with Angelic Power and Thunderous Riffs

Under a blistering 30+ degree sun, the Dutch symphonic metal titans Epica descended upon Main Stage 2 at HellFest 2025 like celestial warriors, delivering a performance that was nothing short of divine. With a lineup that blended orchestral grandeur and relentless metal ferocity, this was a set that didn’t just survive the heat—it set the crowd ablaze.

Front and center, the ever-enchanting Simone Simons commanded the stage with the presence of a true metal goddess. Her vocals—ethereal, operatic, and soaring—cut through the sweltering air like a choir from another realm. Floating high above the furious double-kicks and layered guitars, Simone’s voice provided a heavenly contrast to the growled counterpoints and driving rhythms beneath.

The band, as tight and powerful as ever, tore through fan favorites and new anthems alike. Guitarists Mark Jansen and Isaac Delahaye delivered riff after punishing riff with surgical precision, blending melody and aggression in that unmistakable Epica style. From orchestral swells to thunderous breakdowns, the set was a dynamic rollercoaster that kept fists raised and horns high from start to finish.

And then there was the view—Simons, radiant under the scorching sun, owned every inch of the stage with elegance and power. Her presence alone felt like a reward for braving the heat, and judging by the awestruck expressions across the crowd, every note and every gesture hit its mark.

Epica didn’t just perform—they conjured. They summoned epic soundscapes, angelic harmonies, and sheer metallic might to create a sonic cathedral in the French dust. As another brilliant act keeping the HellFest momentum roaring into day two, Epica once again proved why they remain at the pinnacle of symphonic metal.

A blazing sun, a blazing band—Epica were pure fire.