Review SIMONE SIMONS “Vermillion”

When two of the biggest names in Dutch rock and metal start working together, the result is guaranteed to be exciting. In this case it is Epica vocalist Simone Simons and none other than Arjen Lucassen, who started working together on Simons’ first solo album. The Dutch singer had always wanted to work on such a project, but her busy schedule didn’t leave room for such an endeavor.

When the first opening appeared, Simons used the momentum and started working on “Vermillion”. To give the solo debut the right musical frame, the singer started a cooperation with Ayreon main man Arjen Lucassen. The two know each other well, as Simons was part of the Ayreon releases and they had some initial conversations about such a collaboration already five or six years ago. Luckily, the time was right to turn the ideas into reality and the result is a stunning album called “Vermillion”.

Simons’ solo release is more than just a blend of Epica and Ayreon, which has to do with the way the two worked together. Lucassen usually works alone when it comes to songwriting, and with this album the challenge was to incorporate some additional thoughts and ideas. At the same time Simons had a clear vision for her solo album too. This is the fruitful part of the record as the challenge helped to push limits and stay focused.

No doubt there are moments where some Epica shimmers through and the symphonic approach of Ayreon is present from time to time. But “Vermillion” is more. It is a versatile longplayer with many different twists, held together by Simons’ beautiful voice and Lucassen’s bombastic approach to music.

The album begins with a song called “Aeterna”. It is a song rooted in symphonic metal that sets the tone for an album that lives from its dynamics. “Cradle to the Grave”, for example, is one of the album’s twists. With Arch Enemy singer Alyssa White Gluz adding some growls, the tune reflects the sensitive aspect of this album as well as the growls being the sinister part of the song. The great thing is that it all fits together very well as it stays within the musical framework of the album in general.

Moving on we come to a song called “The Core”. It is a song that is a bit different from the rest of the album. With some growls from Marc Jansen we are in for a dark and sinister piece of music. It is a moment on “Vermillion” where the versatility shines brightly. Also the next song doesn’t reflect the happy and light-hearted emotions. “Dystopia”, the title says it all, is a dark track.

It is a very atmospheric song that expands the range of influences on “Vermillion”. The industrial elements return with “R.E.D.” and they are even stronger than on “Cradle to the Grave” before the last song on the album brings a next layer to the plate.

“Dark Night of the Soul”, a song featuring Apocalyptica‘s Pertuu Kivilaakso on cello, is a very touching and somber finale of an album that impresses from start to finish.

“Vermillion” is a stunning release that brings together the best of Simone Simons and Arjen Lucassen. These songs are fueled by melancholy expressed through a cinematic and atmospheric approach to music combined with a strong connection to heaviness. The album offers a wide variety of songs that fit together very well and provide a long lasting musical feast.