Simone Simons

Not to be confused with Simone Simon.

Simone Simons
Simone Simons live in concert
Background information
Birth name	Simone Johanna Maria Simons
Born	17 January 1985 (1985-01-17)
Origin	Netherlands
Genres	Symphonic metal, gothic metal
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, piano, flute
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Transmission Records, Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Epica, Ayreon, Kamelot, Primal Fear, Aina, Sons of Seasons, MaYaN
Website	simonesimons.nl

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.

Biography

Simone was born in Hoensbroek. 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.

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 well-balanced, as demonstrated in the song Blank Infinity; her mixed voice can be soft(with a falsetto quality) or belted; and her head voice can be extremely brilliant or sweet and silvery as a soprano, just not as equally strong projected.

Discography

With Epica

Albums

• The Phantom Agony (2003)
• Consign to Oblivion (2005)
• The Divine Conspiracy (2007)
• Design Your Universe (2009)
• Requiem for the Indifferent (2012)

Singles

• "The Phantom Agony" (2003)
• "Feint" (2004)
• "Cry for the Moon" (2004)
• "Solitary Ground" (2005)
• "Quietus (Silent Reverie)" (2005)
• "Never Enough" (2007)
• "Chasing the Dragon" (2008)
• "Unleashed" (2009)
• "Martyr of the Free Word" (2009)
• "This is the Time" (2010)

DVDs

• We Will Take You with Us (2004)

Other releases

• Cry for the Moon (demo, 2002)
• The Score - An Epic Journey (2005)
• The Road to Paradiso (book and compilation, 2006)
• The Classical Conspiracy (live, 2009)

Guest appearances

• Aina – Days of Rising Doom (2003)
• Kamelot – The Black Halo in "The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)" and appears in its video (2005)
• Kamelot – One Cold Winter's Night in "The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)" (2006)
• Kamelot – Ghost Opera in "Blücher" and "Season's End" (2007)
• Primal Fear – New Religion in "Everytime It Rains" (2007)
• Ayreon – 01011001 in "Web of Lies" (2008)
• Xystus & US Concert – Equilibrio in "Act 1 – My Song of Creation", "Act 2 – Destiny Unveiled" and "Act 2 – God of Symmetry" (2008)
• Sons of Seasons – Gods of Vermin in "Fallen Family", "Fall Of Byzanz" and "Wintersmith" (2009)
• Kamelot – Poetry for the Poisoned in "House on a Hill" and "Poetry for the Poisoned" (2010)
• MaYaN – Quarterpast in "Symphony of Aggression", "Mainstay of Society", "Bite the Bullet", "Drown the Demon" and "Sinner's Last Retreat" (2011)
• Sons of Seasons – Magnisphyricon in "Sanctuary" (2011)

External links

• Official Website
• Simone Simons on Myspace

• Simone Simons on Twitter
• Simone Simons's channel on YouTube

Preceded by Helena Iren Michaelsen as Vocalist for Sahara Dust

Vocalist for Epica since 2003

Incumbent