This September 27 Dutch singer-songwriter Anneke van Giersbergen will release her fifth studio album. The first single from the as-yet-untitled LP is set to land on August 23, accompanied by a music video, and a European tour will commence in mid-October.

On this follow-up to 2012’s Everything is Changing, Anneke collaborated with Dutch songwriter and producer Arno Krabman, enlisting the help of her live band to lay down the new tracks. In a time when bands are creating entire albums by transferring files online, Anneke explains that she was keen to do things the old-fashioned way: “I really wanted to record an album together with a group of musicians in a studio.” Having toured extensively with the same tight-knit group of musicians, the result is an organic sound that perfectly captures our chemistry as a band.

Having proven her credentials and immense vocal talent for 13 years as front woman of The Gathering, in 2007 Anneke felt it was time to begin her own solo career. Along with her new band Agua de Annique the charismatic singer quickly established herself as a solo artist, releasing several albums to critical and popular acclaim.

Anneke also found time to collaborate with some of her long-time friends and musical peers, lending her honey-sweet, yet powerful voice to the likes of Anathema (Falling Deeper), the eccentric Devin Townsend (Addicted!, Epicloud) and fellow Dutchmen Within Temptation (Black Symphony).

2012’s Everything is Changing was something of a milestone in Anneke’s solo career. The album, which was the first to be released under her own name without the Agua de Annique moniker, got her nominated for two Edison awards – Holland’s most prestigious music prize – in the categories ‘Best Female Artist’ and ‘Best Album’. Not only was it a success in her home country, Everything is Changing took Anneke all over the world as she toured over 25 different countries including the UK, Germany, France and throughout Latin America.

The new album shows Anneke to be on top form and more multifaceted than ever, with songs ranging from her signature intimate ballads to euphoric stadium rock anthems – and as always, her ethereally beautiful voice is the jewel in the centre.

Amanda Somerville

Considered a Metal Diva in the European symphonic metal scene, Amanda

Somerville is a singer-songwriter originally of the pop / rock vein who’s been

roughed up at the edges with a razor blade, painted over the scars with makeup and

is now sweetly taking her revenge on the microphone. Since 2000, the Michiganborn

songstress has divided her time between the US and Europe, primarily

Germany and the Netherlands and has also been songwriter, producer and vocal

coach for many bands to boot. Her catalogue of projects, guest appearances and

live shows garnered to date with bands like AVANTASIA, EPICA, KAMELOT is

an impressive body of work that gives her more credibility in metal circles than she

ever bargained for. Some of her most recent endeavors include touring with

renowned artists Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE) and Paul Rodgers (FREE, BAD

CO., ex-QUEEN) and a duet project entitled Kiske-Somerville with metal legend

Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN, UNISONIC). Currently she’s focusing on

writing songs for a new Kiske-Somerville album, releasing the 2nd album for

project HDK with Sander Gommans (ex-AFTER FOREVER) and touring for her

solo metal project, TRILLIUM.

Amanda’s sound is eclectic yet particular, sweet yet raw and commercial yet

conventionally-challenged. Singer-songwriter metal with bling. Think Doro, Sade

and Evanescence thrown into a blender and whipped into a frothy concoction. Just

watch out for those razor blades. Prost!