EPICA: First Performance Footage Featuring Stand-In Singer Posted Online

April 6, 2008

Fan-filmed video footage of the Dutch symphonic metal band EPICA performing last night (Saturday, April 5) at the Nokia Theater in New York City can be viewed below (courtesy of "celticyodels").

EPICA is utilizing the services of singer-songwriter and vocal coach Amanda Somerville as the stand-in vocalist for the band's North American tour with SYMPHONY X after the group's regular singer, Simone Simons, was infected with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA),also known as the hospital bacteria.

A Michigan native, Amanda has resided and worked mainly in Germany and the Netherlands since 1999. She has collaborated with several bands in the metal scene (EDGUY, AFTER FOREVER, EPICA, KAMELOT, etc.) along with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro, and co-wrote the rock opera "Aina". Her own music is of the pop-rock genre and she is currently focusing on her solo career.

Amanda previously stated about her stint at the EPICA stand-in vocalist, "It's important to me that you know that is in no way the band's nor my intention to replace Simone. She is one of a kind, invaluable to EPICA and indeed their frontwoman and the face of the band. I assure you that I will do my very best to do justice to the performance you have come to expect from EPICA and give it my all. Since I co-wrote many of the songs and was Simone's vocal coach during the recordings of the albums, I feel as comfortable performing the songs as if they were my own."

Simone Simons stated about her temporary replacement, "We chose Amanda because she is already familiar to the EPICA fans. You can hear her on all our albums, singing backing vocals, on 'Seif al Din' and the 'Obsessive Devotion' you can hear her speak, she is singing in the EPICA choir and she was my vocal coach for all the albums. We are happy that she is willing to fill in for me since she is already part of the band in a way. Amanda has a great voice and a wonderful presence. I am sure you will love her long blond hair. She will do a good job and I wish her and EPICA good luck for this tour."

EPICA performing "Sensorium" in New York City April 5, 2008:

EPICA performing "Cry for the Moon" in New York City April 5, 2008:

Amanda Somerville's video tour diary Day 2:

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