David Priest of OnTrackMagazine.com recently conducted an interview with vocalist Simone Simons of the Dutch symphonic metal band EPICA. The chat, during which Simone reveals that she is planning on working on material for a solo album, can now be streamed using the audio player below.

Keyboardist Coen Janssen was forced to sit out EPICA's current North American headlining tour because of "personal reasons." He was replaced by Simone's boyfriend Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT, SONS OF SEASONS, DORO).

EPICA's latest album, "Design Your Universe", landed at position No. 12 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Design Your Universe" was released in Europe on October 16, 2009. The follow-up to 2007's "The Divine Conspiracy" was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany with producer Sascha Paeth.

Fan-filmed video footage of EPICA's January 27, 2010 performance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can be viewed below.

Simone Simons interviewed by David Priest of OnTrackMagazine.com (click on player below to launch audio):