Epica Rules Zénith Paris in a Co-Headline Clash with Amaranthe on the Arcane Dimensions Tour
Written and Captured By | Christophe Puechavic
On January 25, 2026, Epica closed the night at Zénith Paris – La Villette (6,800 capacity) with the kind of grand, precision-built performance that keeps them at the top of modern symphonic metal. The show was part of the Arcane Dimensions Tour, a European co-headline run with Amaranthe featuring rotating top-billing across 26 dates in 13 countries—and Paris marked the 8th stop of that itinerary.
See more photos of Charlotte Wessels HERE
The night started off with Charlotte Wessels, many listeners first encountered her as the former voice of Dutch symphonic metal act Delain, but her solo work has clearly established its own identity. Her sound centers on hook-driven modern heavy music with a cinematic finish, where electronic textures and crushing guitars frame songs that feel personal rather than overtly theatrical. Her latest album, The Obsession (Napalm Records, 2024), sharpens that focus—darker, more direct, and built for large rooms while still leaving space for vulnerability. The record also underscores her collaborative reach, featuring guest appearances from respected voices across the scene.
By the time the night turned toward the co-headliners, Wessels had already achieved what the strongest premium openers do: winning the room, setting the tone, and making it feel distinctly like her own show.
See more photos of Amaranthe HERE
Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, Amaranthe have long occupied a lane of their own, blending modern metal, pop hooks, and electronic polish—anchored by their signature three-vocalist configuration. At Zénith Paris – La Villette, Elize Ryd provided the melodic lift, Nils Molin delivered powerful clean vocals, and Mikael Sehlin added sharply timed harsh lines. Behind them, Olof Mörck (guitars/keys), Johan Andreassen (bass), and Morten Løwe Sørensen (drums) kept the set airtight and explosive, with punchy low end, razor-clean rhythms, and synths that felt integral rather than ornamental.
The set leaned heavily into their latest album, The Catalyst (Nuclear Blast, February 23, 2024), whose streamlined songwriting and polished impact translate seamlessly to an arena setting. Even in a co-headline slot, Amaranthe’s defining strength was clarity: every hook engineered to land, every transition purposeful, and pacing that kept the room in constant motion. By the end of their set, Zénith felt fully warmed—singing, energized, and primed for what followed.
See more photos of Epica HERE
Epica closed the night with a grand, precision-built performance that reaffirmed their place at the top of modern symphonic metal. Part of the Arcane Dimensions Tour—a 26-date European co-headline run with Amaranthe—Paris marked the eighth stop. Fronted by Simone Simons and anchored by Mark Jansen, Epica delivered their trademark contrast of operatic melody and serrated heaviness with massive yet controlled impact.
New material from Aspiral (April 11, 2025) stood confidently alongside classics, and by the final stretch, Zénith was fully in their hands: a unified crowd, a disciplined wall of sound, and a closing set that made the co-headline concept feel fully earned.
