BALTIMORE, MD: Epica performs a tour-opening show at Baltimore Soundstage. Tuesday, September 8, 2015. © Brandon Wu / for the Washington City Paper.

Dutch melodic metal band Epica kicked off its most recent U.S. tour last night at Baltimore Soundstage. Not touring on a new release, the band played a selection of its most popular songs from across its discography, though members did hint that work on a seventh album is underway. After some initial sound woes plagued first opener the Agonist‘s set, everything went smoothly, and Epica’s performance in particular felt surprisingly intimate—almost like a show at the late Empire/Jaxx.

Full photo set (24 images) here, including photos of the Agonist and second openers Eluveitie.