Simone Simons

From Wikipedia

Simone Simons
Simone Simons live in a concert
Background information
Birth name	Simone Simons
Born	January 17, 1985 (1985-01-17) (age 23)
Origin	Netherlands
Genre(s)	Symphonic metal, Gothic metal
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Voice type(s)	Mezzo-soprano
Years active	2002 - present
Label(s)	Transmission Records British Plastic Head Distributions Ltd. Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Epica Ayreon Equilibrio
Website	simonesimons.nl

Simone Simons (born Hoensbroek, January 17, 1985) is a Dutch mezzo-soprano singer who is the lead vocalist of symphonic metal ensemble Epica.

Contents

1 Biography 2 Discography 2.1 With Epica 2.1.1 Albums 2.1.2 Singles 2.1.3 DVDs 2.1.4 Other releases 2.2 Guest appearances 3 References 4 External links

Biography

Simons has had an interest for music since she was ten years old, and after listening to the Nightwish album Oceanborn at the age of fifteen, she began taking classical singing lessons. She sang in a choir for a couple of months in 2002, joining Epica soon after. She was previously in a romantic relationship with Epica guitarist Mark Jansen and co-writes the band's lyrics with him. She is currently engaged to Oliver Palotai, keyboardist of the American power metal band Kamelot. Her favourite song to perform is "Reprendo mai più" by Emma Shapplin.

In January 2008, it was announced on Epica's website that Simone is suffering from MRSA. This has 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 May 11, 2008, when Simone performed again at their show in Bibelot, Dordrecht

Discography

With Epica

Albums

• The Phantom Agony (2003)
• Consign to Oblivion (2005)
• The Score - An Epic Journey (2005)
• The Divine Conspiracy (2007)

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)

DVDs

• We Will Take You with Us (2004)

Other releases

• Cry for the Moon (demo, 2003)
• The Road to Paradiso (book and compilation, 2006)

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 - Ghost Opera in "Blücher" and "Season's End" (2007)
• Kamelot - One Cold Winter's Night-live CD in "The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)" and appears in the concert DVD-during this song.
• Primal Fear - New Religion in "Everytime It Rains" (2007)
• Ayreon - 01011001 in "Web of Lies" (2008)
• Xystus & US Concert: Equilibrio - Equilibrio in "Act 1 - My Song of Creation", "Act 2 - Destiny Unveiled" and "Act 2 - God of Symmetry" (2008)

References

1. ^ wanadoo.nl
2. ^ Epica.nl
3. ^ Epica.nl

External links

• Official Website
• Simone Simons at MySpace
• Profile at the official Epica site

Epica
Simone Simons | Mark Jansen | Ad Sluijter | Yves Huts | Coen Janssen | Ariën van Weesenbeek Jeroen Simons | Helena Michaelsen
Demos	Cry for the Moon
Studio albums & EPs	The Phantom Agony | Consign to Oblivion | The Score - An Epic Journey | The Divine Conspiracy
Singles	"The Phantom Agony" | "Feint" | "Cry for the Moon" | "Solitary Ground" | "Quietus (Silent Reverie)" | "Never Enough" | "Chasing the Dragon"
Compilations	The Road to Paradiso
Videos and DVDs	We Will Take You with Us
Associated acts	After Forever | Kamelot