On August 23rd, Simone Simons—best known as the vocalist of Dutch symphonic metal outfit EPICA—will release her first solo album, “Vermillion,” via Nuclear Blast Records. This record is a collaboration with Arjen Lucassen of AYREON, who co-wrote most of the songs with Simone. Let’s dive into what you can expect from this highly anticipated release.
The album opens with “Aeterna,” a track that seamlessly blends the worlds of AYREON and EPICA. It features a unique mix of Oriental vibes, Latin choruses, and a machine-like atmosphere. From the moment this song was released, I was hooked. This perfect fusion of styles kept me coming back, and even after countless listens, it remains one of the top tracks of the year. Following this powerful start, “In Love We Rust” takes the tempo down with an emotional ballad. While ballads aren’t usually my go-to, this one stood out with its strong, heartfelt lyrics centering around heartbreak. The beauty and strength of the song lie in its universal appeal, touching on emotions that everyone can relate to, which is not a stand-alone moment on this album, actually, it’s probably one of its strengths.
When “Cradle to the Grave” comes in, it brings a special treat—Alissa White-Gluz of ARCH ENEMY joins Simone for a vocal duet. The track starts with a groovy, AYREON-esque intro, setting the stage for a laid-back atmosphere that gradually builds in intensity. As the song progresses, the focus shifts to the vocals, with Alissa and Simone’s voices harmonizing beautifully. Alissa’s clean vocals, which are rarely showcased in ARCH ENEMY, add a unique layer to this collaboration, making it a standout moment on the album.
Shifting gears, “Fight or Flight” introduces a warm guitar tone and ambient vocals that evoke memories of METALLICA’s “One.” A sweeping guitar melody occasionally peeks through, adding a touch of DIRE STRAITS-like elegance to the song. The song carries a darker mood, building up to a powerful chorus. A particularly striking moment is the interplay between two guitars later in the track. The pace picks up again with “The Weight of My World,” which features a horror-inspired intro filled with cool synths and heavily distorted guitar. Simone delivers operatic vocals in both German and Dutch, though the latter is so subtle it’s almost not noticeable (I’m Belgian, it took me a couple of spins to even notice). The track is infused with Arjen Lucassen’s signature style, yet it still allows Simone’s voice to take center stage, showcasing her incredible vocal range.
“Vermillion Dreams” starts on a calm, cinematic note, with ambient synths setting the mood. The verses build up with pulsating synths and are crowned by a powerful, emotive chorus. Guitar accents add spice to the mix, making this song one of the album’s more emotional and impactful moments. As the album progresses, “The Core” stands out as a guitar-heavy track with brilliant riffs and melodies. The song opens with an epic hook and an explosive chorus, featuring Simone’s operatic vocals front and center alongside a powerful choir. This track is one of my personal favorites, seamlessly blending the distinct styles of AYREON and EPICA in a way that echoes the brilliance of “Aeterna.”
“Dystopia” shifts the mood with a more mysterious atmosphere. It’s a laid-back track that focuses on vocals and lyrics, building up to a beautiful guitar solo towards the end. The final chorus ties everything together, offering a moment of reflection before the album’s final push. The penultimate track, “R.E.D.,” is a highlight, and showcases what would happen if AYREON and EPICA had a child that only listened to industrial metal. This energetic track also features a cameo from Mark Jansen and other EPICA members in the backing vocals, adding a little heartwarming moment on the album.
Finally, the album closes with “Dark Night of the Soul,” a ballad that brings a touch of Disney-esque magic. Accompanied by piano and strings, the song is a universal ballad that evokes deep emotions and gives you instant goosebumps. Even as someone who isn’t usually drawn to ballads, I found this track to be deeply moving. The low, resonant piano note that ends the song adds a beautifully poignant touch, closing the album in a way that lingers for a while.
Overall, “Vermillion” is a perfect marriage of the musical worlds of Arjen Lucassen and Simone Simons, with hints of their shared influences and tastes, like for instance, the apparent RAMMSTEIN influence in “R.E.D.” Lucassen’s influence is unmistakable, but it’s clear he crafted this album with great respect for Simone’s background and vocal abilities, allowing her to shine in every single aspect. This attention to detail is something that was perhaps missing for me personally in Floor Jansen’s solo record, “Paragon.” The album offers something for fans of all these projects—progressive elements, symphonic touches, stripped-back instrumentation with electronic accents (more in line with AYREON than EPICA), and, of course, Simone’s powerful and emotive vocals.
What stands out most perhaps is the mutual respect and appreciation between Simone and Arjen, both personally and professionally. Despite this being a solo album, Simone included Arjen in the promo pictures and frequently mentioned him in interviews, underscoring their collaboration. Making this album something much more than just a musical record, but something of a passion project between to friends. I, for one, can’t wait for them to create a follow-up, as this first effort will undoubtedly rank high on my end-of-the-year list!
Written by Laureline Tilkin
Tracklist
1.Aeterna
2.In Love We Rust
3.Cradle To The Grave (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)
4.Fight or Flight
5.The Weight of My World
6.Vermillion Dreams
7.The Core
8.Dystopia
9.R.E.D.
10.Dark Night of the Soul
Lineup
Arjen Lucassen – Guitars, Keyboards, Songwriting
Simone Simons – Vocals, Lyrics
Label
Nuclear Blast Records
Links
