Amanda Somerville

Amanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter and vocal coach better known for her collaborations with various European metal bands. Since 1999 she has resided and worked mainly in Germany and the Netherlands. Her voice range is lyrical mezzo-soprano and her vocal style goes from classical to soul music.

Solo artist discography

Amanda's solo career focuses on soft and elegant pop/rock with some hard rock, folk and soul music influences. Her solo discography includes a notable incursion on operatic metal: Aina.

*"In the Beginning there was..." (Debut Album, 2000)
*"Blue Nothing" (EP, 2000)
*"Never Alone" (EP, 2003)
*"Aina: Days of Rising Doom" (2003) - Amanda wrote concept and all lyrics, co-wrote music, worked as vocalist and vocal coach.

She's played live as a solo artist with the following line-up made of German heavy metal related musicians:

*Amanda Somerville - Main Vocals, Piano
*Sascha Paeth - Guitar, Backing Vocals
*Olaf Reitmeier - Bass, Backing Vocals
*MIRO - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
*Rober Hunecke-Rizzo - Drums, Backing Vocals

Collaborations

Mainly as singer, vocal coach, producer and choir conductor, Amanda has been involved in the following albums:

*Avantasia - The Scarecrow (2008); worked as vocalist
*Epica - The Phantom Agony (2003), We Will Take You With Us (2004), Consign To Oblivion (2005), The Road to Paradiso (2006), The Divine Conspiracy (2007), Live Session singer for USA Canada tour (2008); worked as vocal coach, vocalist, co-writer, producer
*After Forever - Invisible Circles (2004), Remagine (2005), After Forever (2007); worked as vocal coach, vocalist, producer
*Asrai - Touch in the Dark (2004): worked as lyrical editor
*Edguy - Hellfire Club (2004), Rocket Ride (2006); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
*Kamelot - The Black Halo (2005), Ghost Opera (2007); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
*Shaman - Ritual (2002), Reason (2005); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor
*Mob Rules - Hollowed Be Thy Name (2002); worked as vocalist
*Luca Turilli & Rhapsody - Prophet of the Last Eclipse (2002); worked as vocalist
*Virgo - Virgo (2001); worked as vocalist, lyrical editor

*Various collaborations with other bands (Felony, Reverend Right Time and the First Cousins of Funk, Lunatica, Ebony Ark, etc.)

She also wrote music for:

*Phaeno Science Center (2005); commissioned to write and perform song about and for the grand opening of science center.
*Boehringer Ingelheim (2005); commissioned to write 2 jingles for new swine vaccine.

References

*cite news
first = Timothy
last = Flynn
authorlink =
author =
coauthors =
title = Flushing native Amanda Somerville fronts Dutch heavy metal band Epica while lead singer recuperates
url = http://www.mlive.com/music/index.ssf/2008/04/flushing_native_amanda_somervi.html
format =
work = The Flint Journal
publisher =
location = Flint, Michigan
id =
pages =
page =
date = Thursday April 10, 2008, 9:31 AM
accessdate = 2008-05-07
language =
quote =
archiveurl =
archivedate =

*cite news
first =
last =
authorlink =
author =
coauthors =
title = Signierstunde von Amanda Somerville. Ball mit allen Unterschriften der VfL-Profis zu gewinnen. Amanda Somerville: „Ich trete gern in den Dialog mit den Menschen.“
url = http://www.presseportal.de/story.htx?nr=508963
format =
work = VfL Wolfsburg-Presseservice
publisher =
location =
id =
pages =
page =
date = 2003-12-12
accessdate = 2008-05-07
language = German
quote =
archiveurl =
archivedate =

External links

* [http://www.amandasomerville.com/ Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/amandasomervillemusic MySpace page]