Simone Simons
Encyclopedia
Simone Johanna Maria Simons (born 17 January 1985) is a Dutch
coloratura mezzo-soprano singer who is the lead vocalist
of symphonic metal
band Epica
.
. After a few years of jazz and pop singing lessons she mainly focused on classical singing. She sang in a choir
for a couple of months in 2002, joining Epica soon after. She is currently involved in a romantic relationship with Kamelot
keyboardist Oliver Palotai
. Her favorite song to perform is "Reprendo mai più" by Emma Shapplin
.
On January 10, 2008, it was announced on Epica's website that Simone was suffering from MRSA. This caused Epica to have to cancel many of their shows. In February, her condition was getting better, but she was not completely recovered. In March, Epica toured with Amanda Somerville
, replacing Simons for their US tour until 11 May 2009, when Simone performed again at their show in Bibelot, Dordrecht
.
Simone joined the band Kamelot
on the tour for their most recent album Poetry for the Poisoned
as a supporting singer and guest member, after the departure of vocalist Roy Khan
.
Her tone is slightly gargly as well as lachrymose. She's known for her ability to switch various styles of singing on the fly; from rock/pop belting and harshing to classical singing like using dark and deep mezzo soprano range or mournful high pitched soprano range depending on the emotion she wants to express.
Her chest voice is rich and strong, as demonstrated in the song Blank Infinity; her mixed voice can be soft or belted; and her head voice can be extremely brilliant or sweet and silvery. She is also able to sing in a clear and flawless alto range.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
coloratura mezzo-soprano singer who is the lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
of symphonic metal
Symphonic metal
Symphonic metal is a term used to describe heavy metal music that has symphonic elements; that is, elements that are either borrowed from classical music or, as with progressive rock music, create a style reminiscent of it, e.g...
band Epica
Epica (band)
Epica is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. They are known for their symphonic sound and the use of female vocals and male growls performed by Simone Simons and Mark Jansen, respectively. All six members write...
.
Biography
Simone was born in HoensbroekHoensbroek
Hoensbroek is a Dutch town in the municipality of Heerlen. It is situated in the southeast of Limburg, a province in the southeast of the Netherlands. Until 1982, Hoensbroek was a separate municipality....
. After a few years of jazz and pop singing lessons she mainly focused on classical singing. She sang in a choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
for a couple of months in 2002, joining Epica soon after. She is currently involved in a romantic relationship with Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
keyboardist Oliver Palotai
Oliver Palotai
Oliver Palotai is a heavy metal musician.-Career:He made his name playing keyboards and guitar for Doro and keyboards for Circle II Circle before joining Blaze Bayley's BLAZE as a replacement for founding guitarist John Slater in 2004...
. Her favorite song to perform is "Reprendo mai più" by Emma Shapplin
Emma Shapplin
Emma Shapplin is a French operatic coloratura soprano.-Biography:...
.
On January 10, 2008, it was announced on Epica's website that Simone was suffering from MRSA. This caused Epica to have to cancel many of their shows. In February, her condition was getting better, but she was not completely recovered. In March, Epica toured with Amanda Somerville
Amanda Somerville
Amanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter and vocal coach.- Personal life :Somerville was born in Flushing, Michigan, and attended Flushing Senior High School and the University of Michigan in Flint, Michigan...
, replacing Simons for their US tour until 11 May 2009, when Simone performed again at their show in Bibelot, Dordrecht
Dordrecht
Dordrecht , colloquially Dordt, historically in English named Dort, is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, located in the province of South Holland. It is the fourth largest city of the province, having a population of 118,601 in 2009...
.
Simone joined the band Kamelot
Kamelot
Kamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
on the tour for their most recent album Poetry for the Poisoned
Poetry for the Poisoned
Poetry for the Poisoned is the ninth studio album from metal band Kamelot. It was released on the earMUSIC label, a subdivision of Edel, on September 10, 2010 in Europe, and four days later in North America by the band's own label, KMG Recordings. It was the last release to feature longtime...
as a supporting singer and guest member, after the departure of vocalist Roy Khan
Roy Khan
Roy Sætre Khantatat , is a Norwegian singer. Commonly known as Roy Khan or simply Khan, he is the former vocalist for the symphonic power metal band Kamelot. He co-wrote most of Kamelot's songs with the band's guitarist and founder Thomas Youngblood since he joined the band.-Personal life:Roy began...
.
Vocal profile
Simons is a coloratura mezzo-soprano with a four octave range. Her highest recorded note is the C#6 as demonstrated in the song The Fall of Byzanz.Her tone is slightly gargly as well as lachrymose. She's known for her ability to switch various styles of singing on the fly; from rock/pop belting and harshing to classical singing like using dark and deep mezzo soprano range or mournful high pitched soprano range depending on the emotion she wants to express.
Her chest voice is rich and strong, as demonstrated in the song Blank Infinity; her mixed voice can be soft or belted; and her head voice can be extremely brilliant or sweet and silvery. She is also able to sing in a clear and flawless alto range.
Albums
- The Phantom AgonyThe Phantom AgonyThe Phantom Agony is the first full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released in 2003 by the Dutch label Transmission Records. It is the first album recorded by guitarist Mark Jansen after his departure from the band After Forever. On this album, Mark Jansen continues...
(2003) - Consign to OblivionConsign to OblivionConsign to Oblivion is the second studio-album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, and was released in April 2005. "Trois Vierges" features a guest appearance by Kamelot vocalist Roy Khan. The album's lyrics are heavily influenced by Mayan Civilization. The CD was released with copy control on it....
(2005) - The Divine ConspiracyThe Divine ConspiracyThe Divine Conspiracy is the third full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica as well as their first concept album. It was released on September 7, 2007 through Nuclear Blast in Europe...
(2007) - Design Your UniverseDesign Your UniverseDesign Your Universe is the fourth full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released on October 16, 2009.-Pre-release and production:The band entered Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany on March 2, 2009....
(2009)
Singles
- "The Phantom AgonyThe Phantom Agony (song)"The Phantom Agony" is the debut single of Dutch symphonic metal band Epica.-CD single:#"The Phantom Agony" – 4:35#"Veniality" – 4:36#"Façade of Reality 'The Embrace That Smothers - Part V'" – 8:12#"Veniality" – 4:37...
" (2003) - "FeintFeint (song)"Feint" is the second single of Dutch symphonic metal band Epica.-Track listing:# "Feint" - 4:19# "Feint" - 4:54# "Triumph of Defeat" - 3:58# "Seif al Din" - 5:46...
" (2004) - "Cry for the Moon" (2004)
- "Solitary GroundSolitary Ground"Solitary Ground" is a ballad by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, taken from their second full-length album Consign to Oblivion.-Track listing:# "Solitary Ground" - 4:06# "Solitary Ground" - 3:10...
" (2005) - "Quietus (Silent Reverie)" (2005)
- "Never EnoughNever Enough (Epica song)"Never Enough" is the sixth single released by the Dutch symphonic metal ensemble Epica. The album was released as a three-track digital download on August 10, 2007. It is the first single from their fourth album, The Divine Conspiracy.-Track listing:...
" (2007) - "Chasing the DragonChasing the Dragon (Epica song)"Chasing the Dragon" is the seventh single released by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. The album was released as a 7" LP on July 27, 2008. It is the second single from their fourth album, The Divine Conspiracy...
" (2008) - "UnleashedUnleashed (song)"Unleashed" is the eighth single released by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica, it was released on September 25 as a video. The single never had a physical release.-Music video:...
" (2009) - "This is the TimeThis Is the Time (Epica song)This Is the Time is an EP released by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released digitally on October 15, 2010. All profits of the song "This Is the Time" go to the World Wildlife Fund and the band has chosen to support the project "Cerrado / Brazilian Savanna" -Digital Download EP:# "This...
" (2010)
Other releases
- Cry for the MoonCry for the Moon"Cry for the Moon" is a symphonic metal song by Epica. It can be found on their debut album, The Phantom Agony.-Track listing:# "Cry for the Moon" - 3:33# "Cry for the Moon" - 6:44# "Run for a Fall" - 4:29...
(demo, 2002) - The Score - An Epic JourneyThe Score - An Epic JourneyThe Score - An Epic Journey is the third album of the Dutch symphonic metal formation Epica, released in 2005. It is the film soundtrack to Joyride, a Dutch production.Most of the songs of the album are purely instrumental, except for four songs...
(2005) - The Road to ParadisoThe Road to ParadisoThe Road to Paradiso is a book about the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica which was accompanied by a compilation album of the same name. It was released on May 4, 2006, on the same night they performed at Paradiso in Amsterdam...
(book and compilation, 2006) - The Classical ConspiracyThe Classical ConspiracyThe Classical Conspiracy is the second live album released by the Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. The recorded live show took part in Miskolc, Hungary on June 14, 2008 in the framework of the Miskolc Opera Festival, where the Swedish symphonic metal band Therion had done a similar show a year...
(live, 2009)
Guest appearances
- AinaAina (band)Aina is a progressive metal supergroup, containing members from all over the world and from all strands of metal and hard rock. Together they created the metal opera Days of Rising Doom, which was released in 2003 by Transmission/The End Records....
- Days of Rising DoomDays of Rising DoomDays of Rising Doom is the debut album and metal opera by the Progressive metal supergroup Aina released on September 25, 2003. The concept was created and the story and lyrics were written by Amanda Somerville...
(2003) - KamelotKamelotKamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
- The Black HaloThe Black HaloThere is also a short hidden track in the pregap. Rewinding from "March of Mephisto" on some CD players reveal a couple entering a theatre and being told that they have "just made it to the second act", referring to The Black Halo as the second album in a two-part concept.- March of Mephisto :In...
in "The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)" and appears in its video (2005) - KamelotKamelotKamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
- One Cold Winter's NightOne Cold Winter's NightOne Cold Winter's Night is a live album released in 2006 by the symphonic power metal band Kamelot. It is the second live album and first live DVD from the band, directed and produced by Patric Ullaeus and was released on November 14, 2006...
in "The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)" (2006) - KamelotKamelotKamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
- Ghost OperaGhost OperaGhost Opera is the eighth studio album from metal band Kamelot. It was released in 2007 by SPV GmbH/Steamhammer Records, on June 1 in Germany and followed by releases on June 4 in Europe and June 5 in the United States. It is the first studio album by Kamelot to feature keyboardist Oliver...
in "Blücher" and "Season's End" (2007) - Primal FearPrimal Fear (band)Primal Fear is a German power metal and speed metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner . Sinner & Scheepers formed the band after Ralf was not hired as Rob Halford's replacement in Judas Priest...
- New ReligionNew Religion (album)New Religion is Primal Fear's seventh full length album, released on September 21, 2007. The promo version of the album was leaked onto torrent websites on August 10, 2007....
in "Everytime It Rains" (2007) - AyreonAyreonAyreon is a project by Dutch composer and musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen.Ayreon's musical style derives mostly from heavy metal and progressive rock, but combines them with genres like folk, classical and electronica...
- 010110010101100101011001 is the seventh studio album by Arjen Anthony Lucassen's long-running Ayreon project. "01011001" is the binary representation of the ASCII value of the letter Y...
in "Web of Lies" (2008) - XystusXystusXystus has several meanings:* Xystus , a Greek architectural term* Xystus, another spelling for the Roman name Sixtus* Xystus I, Pope Saint, first pope with the original name Xystus* Xystus II* Xystus III...
& US Concert - EquilibrioEquilibrio (album)Equilibrio is the fifth studio album from Rock en Español band Fiel a la Vega. It was released independently on February 9, 2010.-Concept:...
in "Act 1 - My Song of Creation", "Act 2 - Destiny Unveiled" and "Act 2 - God of Symmetry" (2008) - Sons of SeasonsSons of SeasonsSons of Seasons is a German symphonic metal band formed by Kamelot keyboardist Oliver Palotai. Their debut album Gods of Vermin was released in 2009, and their second album Magnisphyricon was released on April 1, 2011....
- Gods of Vermin in "Fallen Family", "Fall Of Byzanz" and "Wintersmith" (2009) - KamelotKamelotKamelot is an American symphonic power metal band from Tampa, Florida. The band was formed by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner in 1991. Norwegian vocalist Roy Khan joined for the album Siége Perilous, and shared song-writing duties with Youngblood until his departure in April 2011.As of 2010,...
- Poetry for the PoisonedPoetry for the PoisonedPoetry for the Poisoned is the ninth studio album from metal band Kamelot. It was released on the earMUSIC label, a subdivision of Edel, on September 10, 2010 in Europe, and four days later in North America by the band's own label, KMG Recordings. It was the last release to feature longtime...
in "House on a Hill" and "Poetry for the Poisoned" (2010) - MaYaNMaYaN (band)MaYaN is a Dutch symphonic death metal band founded by vocalist Mark Jansen, keyboardist Jack Driessen and guitarist Frank Schiphorst. The name of the band was chosen by Jansen out of his fascination for the ancient Maya civilization.-Line-up:...
- QuarterpastQuarterpastQuarterpast is the debut album by Dutch Symphonic death metal band MaYaN. It was released on May 20, 2011 in Europe.-Track listing:All music is by MaYaN except "Bite the Bullet" which is by MaYaN & Sander Gommans....
in "Symphony of Aggression", "Mainstay of Society", "Bite the Bullet", "Drown the Demon" and "Sinner's Last Retreat" (2011) - Sons of Seasons - MagnisphyriconMagnisphyriconMagnisphyricon is the second studio album by German symphonic metal band Sons of Seasons.- Production :The album title, cover art and tracklist was revealed through Myspace on January 22, 2011.-Track listing:# Magnisphyricon: Temperance...
in "Sanctuary" (2011)