Amanda Somerville: The Powerhouse Voice of Symphonic Metal
Amanda Somerville is an American vocalist, songwriter, and vocal coach who has become a central figure in the European symphonic and power metal scene. Hailing from Michigan, her career is defined not by solo chart dominance but by her extensive, high-profile collaborations and her influential role as a vocal producer for some of the genre's biggest acts.
Early career
Born in 1979, Amanda Somerville moved to Germany in 1999 to pursue her music career, quickly establishing herself as a skilled vocal coach and session singer. Her early work included the Aina rock opera project in 2003 and her debut solo album, Windows, in 2008, which showcased her blend of melodic rock and pop sensibilities outside the metal world.
Breakthrough
Somerville's breakthrough came through her deep collaboration with the Dutch symphonic metal titans Epica and the German power metal project Avantasia. She co-wrote lyrics and provided backing vocals for Epica's albums starting with 2005's Consign to Oblivion, and became a vital touring and studio member for Tobias Sammet's Avantasia, appearing on major releases like 2010's The Wicked Symphony.
Key tracks
Kill Me With Silence — This powerful track from her solo album Windows highlights her own songwriting and vocal range in a melodic rock context.
Farewell — Featured on Avantasia's The Mystery of Time (2013), this duet with Tobias Sammet exemplifies her seamless integration into large-scale metal operas.
No One Like You — A key song from the HDK (Heart Demolition Knight) project with After Forever's Sander Gommans, showcasing a heavier, modern metal side.
Sing to Me — From her Trillium project's 2011 album Alloy, this song merges her melodic instincts with a much heavier, symphonic metal foundation.
Beyond these projects, Amanda Somerville's voice has been a constant on albums by bands like Kamelot and she has released further solo work, including the Christmas Carols EP. Her expertise as a vocal coach, detailed in her "The Vocalist Studio" book series, has shaped the performances of countless metal vocalists, solidifying her behind-the-scenes legacy.
Fans of Amanda Somerville's versatile style also enjoy the theatrical metal of Avantasia, where she frequently performs. The symphonic scope of Epica reflects her long-term collaborative influence. The melodic power metal of Kamelot features her backing vocals on several albums. For a similar blend of rock and metal, explore Anneke Van Giersbergen, another immensely versatile vocalist in the genre.
The dynamic music of Amanda Somerville, from her solo melodic rock to her symphonic metal collaborations, earns regular rotation on dedicated metal radio stations and online symphonic rock streams. Her powerful vocals are a staple on channels specializing in European power metal and progressive rock formats.
You can hear the compelling music of Amanda Somerville on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Discover her vast contributions to the metal genre by tuning into the dedicated rock and metal stations available on our platform.
