Michael Kiske & Amanda Sommerville – Sommerville

Releasedate: 24-09-2010; Label: Frontier Records
By: Sabine van Gameren

Michael Kiske known as former Helloween vocalist and the American singer/songwriter Amanda Sommerville have teamed up and made a record together. “Sommerville” is out now.

Amanda Sommerville was the woman who replaced Simone Simons, singer of Epica, during their American tour. So she has a remarkable voice, to be said. Michael Kiske have proved himself as well. Now this collaboration comes stand and we are getting a whole album full of songs that all come close to being ballads, not all of them actually are though. Twelve songs, which might have needed some more variation. The second half of the album starts getting boring soon enough. If you have a critical look at the songs themselves you can hear how each individuals have used their own talents and that this mix is quite good one. Of course with their network it was no problem to quickly find a bunch of artist who join them for guitars, drums, bass etc. So here and there a good solo gets into the music as well giving the attention away from the two vocalists that leave their stamp on it already most of the time.

“Sommerville” is an album full of wonderful songs, all totally suitable in between some point of light between heavier work, but when out all together it sounds a bit like a collection made out of the same template. But because Michael and Amanda suit so perfectly together an extra try is worth it.

Tracklist: 01. Nothing Left To Say (Mat Sinner & Magnus Karlsson) 02. Silence (Mat Sinner & Magnus Karlsson) 03. If I Had A Wish (Mat Sinner & Magnus Karlsson) 04. One Night Burning (Mat Sinner & Magnus Karlsson) 05. Arise (Sander Gommans & Amanda Somerville) 06. End Of The Road (Mat Sinner & Jimmy Kresic) 07. Don’t Walk Away (Mat Sinner & Magnus Karlsson) 08. Devil In Her Heart (Mat Sinner & Jimmy Kresic) 09. Rain (Mat Sinner & Magnus Karlsson) 10. A Thousand Suns (Sander Gommans & Amanda Somerville) 11. Second Chance (Mat Sinner & Magnus Karlsson) 12. Set A Fire (Sander Gommans & Amanda Somerville)

Links:
Amanda Sommerville MySpace
Michael Kiske Official