Yannis Papadopoulos is the lead singer for heavy metal band, Beast in Black. The band's blend of power metal, 80s pop, and electronic music, as well as their energetic live performances, have made them pioneers of their genre. Beast in Black's current lineup further consists of founding member and primary songwriter Anton Kabanen, guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen, bassist Mate Molnar, and drummer Atte Palokangas. Please welcome Yannis Papadopoulos.
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Simone Simons: The Voice of Epica
Simone Simons is the lead singer for symphonic metal group, Epica, that just released their 9th studio album, Aspiral. The album title is derived from the eponymous bronze sculpture made by Polish sculptor and painter Stanisław Szukalski back in 1965. It stands for renewal and inspiration – keywords that define Epica in 2025. In Szukalski’s work every detail is a piece of art on its own and there’s always more to the story than you initially think. The band saw this as the perfect analogy for the creation of this album: each song stands on its own with a distinctive vibe and meaning, while together they enforce each other into a monumental effort.
At the same time this symbolizes EPICA’s group dynamic throughout this process: they have encouraged, inspired, and challenged each other repeatedly. Determined to achieve something that is greater than the sum of its parts, they left no stone unturned in their search for perfection. If it’s up to creative people to push boundaries, then this sextet sure did just that.
When the band was preparing to write a new album, they kept this in mind: to create, you must destroy. As mentioned earlier, this meant destroying the individual ego and create as a unity. You’ll hear that this made the album even more personal and to the point. More alive and adventurous. But it also made EPICA destroy old underlying patterns to re-invent themselves and to create a bold new era for symphonic metal in general. The band felt the immense urge to focus on what really matters: emotions and melodies. In all capacities.
As the new album is all about focus, the band asked contemporary sculptor Hedi Xandt (Rammstein, Ghost, Parkway Drive) to set all this into a stunning visual representation. It’s a bold statement and a homage all in one. If the number 9 represents divinity, perfection, and spiritual growth, then this album is the modern interpretation of just that. Musically, lyrically, and visually.
Breathe in, breathe out, 2025 belongs to EPICA.
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Eli Jacobson: Acapella Rock
Eli Jacobson is a tenor vocalist and a core member of the internationally acclaimed a cappella group, VoicePlay. Known for their inventive arrangements and theatrical performances, VoicePlay gained national recognition as finalists on NBC’s The Sing-Off and became a fixture and fan favorite on The Sing-Off Live national tours. In addition, they’ve shared the stage with renowned artists such as Chicago, Robin Thicke, Steve Vai, Nick Lachey, Chris Daughtry, and Robert Randolph.
Beyond his musical talents, Eli brings a wealth of business experience from his time in the entertainment industry and involvement in his family's business enterprises. He is also a proud father to his one-year-old son, Asher, and husband to Ashley.
Eli is known for his impressively wide and powerful vocal range, which has been instrumental in shaping VoicePlay’s signature sound. The group has built a massive online following, amassing millions of fans across platforms like YouTube, where their viral performances continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
In addition to his vocal prowess, Eli contributes his technological expertise to the group's productions, enhancing the quality and creativity of their content. His multifaceted skills have been pivotal in VoicePlay's continued success and innovation in the a cappella scene.
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Anna Lea: The Voice of Penelope
Anna Lea is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter, most known for her work as the voice of Penelope in EPIC: The Musical. She joined the cast of EPIC at just 17 years old, before finishing high school. Outside of EPIC, Anna has released a solo EP, The Dark Between the Stars, and more recently, a full-length album, Therapy. She is currently pursuing in master's degree in social work, and hopes to continue creating a career where all her passions can continue to flourish. Please welcome Anna Lea.
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Nick Higgs: Living for Music
Nick Higgs, widely known on social media as Nick Higgs The Singer, is a multifaceted professional in the music industry. As a dedicated singer, voice teacher, and dynamic content creator, he has cultivated a substantial online presence, engaging over 500 thousand followers across various platforms. With a background that includes formal musical education from the University of Toronto, and experience performing in groups such as the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, Nick combines classical training with a modern approach to music. He displays a strong passion for digital media, and actively motivates fellow musicians to embrace the digital world, emphasizing the importance of establishing a meaningful digital footprint. He shares vocal performances, educational content, and musical analysis to his large online audience. You can find him on social media at the username @nickhiggsthesinger.
Hi everyone, and welcome to Vocal Arts, the podcast that explores the world of professional voice artists. My name is Peter Barber, and I’ll be your guide along this path of vocal performance. I’m primarily a professional opera singer, music producer, and bass vocalist. Over the course of my career, I’ve trained and performed with world-class singers. I’ve learned all about the physiology and function of the human voice from leading voice scientists. I started a successful group of four bass singers called The Bass Gang, and I’ve grown my YouTube audience from 0 to over 250,000 subscribers via musical analysis videos. Beyond that, I currently sing opera professionally as a Studio Artist with Arizona Opera. I’ve performed in basically every genre from EDM to chamber choir, and with an undergrad major in audio engineering, I can comfortably bridge the gap between live performance and studio recordings, from the grandiose space of a 3000-seat opera house to the intimate, sound-proof booths used in voiceover. But perhaps most importantly, I’m an artist, fascinated by the various careers in vocal performance, and inspired to learn more about them from the best and brightest vocal talent the world has to offer. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey, and no matter what your involvement is within the world of vocal arts, I hope that here, on this podcast, you can both learn something and enjoy. This is Peter Barber, and I’ll see you next time on Vocal Arts.
South Africa