Simone Simons – Vermillion
Simone Simons – Vermillion
Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 23/08/2024
Running Time: 46:02
Review by Rory Bentley
8/10
Simone Simons has amassed a legendary catalogue fronting Epica as well as making multiple high profile guest spots alongside Metal royalty over the last twenty or so years, so a solo project showcasing her sublime vocal chops was never going to be a bad time. Team her up with Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen and you have a sure fire recipe for Symphonic Metal bangers with a few new tricks that wouldn’t quite fit into Simons’ day job.
Some of you may recall my slathering review of Einar Solberg’s solo debut last year, where I highlighted the giddy thrill of having that iconic voice melded with various different canvases that were wildly different from Leprous. It was one of that album’s greatest strengths, however in the case of Ms Simons this avenue is not explored as frequently as I’d like.
A good portion of the album veers too close to her day job to be a true leap of faith and creative departure, something that is immediately apparent on the thundering, grandiose opener ‘Aeterna’, which could easily be a cut from an Epica, or indeed an Ayreon record, albeit with a slightly more Industrial bent. This familiarity could lead to the whole project feeling a little superfluous and a bit of a wasted opportunity were it not for one significant factor – all the songs are fucking great!
‘Cradle To Grave’ sees Simone tagging with the mercurial Alissa White-Gluz over a stomping, seductive Electro beat and chugging riffs with the Arch Enemy singer adding ferocious growls and gutsy Rock vocals to Simons’ operatic bluster. The two have excellent chemistry and both imbue the song with bags of attitude. Meanwhile ‘The Core’ has the feel of a more commercial Devin Townsend cut, with big riffs, stacatto rhythms and a pleasing combination of grit and grandiosity.
As one would expect, the production is immaculate with layer upon layer of vocals and guitars multitracked to the heavens like both collaborators day jobs, however Lucasson and Simons are able to strip things down to the bare bones when the moment calls for it. Although it’s certainly a collaborative record, it never loses sight of whose name is on the front cover. ‘The Weight of My World’ and closer ‘Dark Night of The Soul’ in particular showcase that iconic voice in all its naked glory with delicate sections that contrast beautifully with the bellow and bluster found elsewhere, providing everything you could want from a solo album.
“Vermillion” could definitely stand to push its more experimental efforts a little further, but it’s hard to complain when every song hits home. Plus there’s always the next album, hopefully this collaboration will be the first of many.
‘Aeterna’ Official Music Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Aeterna
02. In Love We Rust
03. Cradle To The Grave (feat. Alyssa White Gluz)
04. Fight or Flight
05. The Weight of my World
06. Vermillion Dreams
07. The Core
08. Dystopia
09. R.E.D
10. Dark Night Of The Soul
LINE-UP:
Simone Simons- vocals
Arjen Lucassen- everything else probably
LINKS:
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