20-year-old Persian bellydancer Mahafsoun performed with Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA on November 10 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Video footage of her appearance can be seen below.

Commented Mahafsoun: "Performing with EPICA has been a dream of mine since mid-2007, when I not only started listening to metal, but also developed the passion of bellydance.

"EPICA was the very first band that introduced me to the world of metal music. This was during a time when I was also developing a love towards dance. The influence that this band has had on my personal journey is massive, and the opportunity to perform live with the source of my inspiration is one of the most amazing things that I have ever experienced.

"Despite the tiny stage with barely any space to move, I had the greatest time of my life performing.

"I want to thank Mark [Jansen, EPICA guitarist] once again for giving me this opportunity. I will never forget this wonderful night."

Mahafsoun, who has "drops of Azerbaijani and Egyptian in her blood," is "passionate about some of the most beautiful dance forms in the world — oriental dances. Out of all the magickal dances of the Middle East, at the age of 15 I fell eternally in love with the spiritual, ancient and immortal art of bellydance," she said. "To this day that undying desire is growing."