Amanda Somerville, who’s worked with notable symphonic metal acts such as Epica, Kamelot, Ayreon and Avantasia, has been diagnosed with a malignant and aggressive brain tumor as it was revealed on social media by her husband, After Forever founder/guitarist Sander Gommans.
Amanda Somerville’s husband Sander Gommans wrote: “Unfortunately, I have some very sad news to share. The love of my life, mother of my three daughters and my beautiful wife Amanda Somerville, has a malignant and aggressive brain tumor. We’re shocked, devastated and I can’t describe the challenges we’re facing as a family right now.”
“We’re very grateful with the help we’re getting from family and friends. Positive thoughts help, prayers help, keeping us in your minds help.”
“Please be there for Amanda and our kids and have us in your minds. Feel free to share this message in a respectful way. Amanda gives so much to all of us…love, music, friendship, strength….it’s time to send out hope and power to her. Thanks, it means a lot to us.”
The statement has since been picked up by outlets across the rock and metal press, and it arrives at a moment when Somerville’s name is tied to several active projects in the symphonic metal world. Her career, however, has been built over decades of work both in front of and behind the microphone.
Somerville is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter and vocal coach who grew up in Michigan and later moved to Germany to build her music career. That relocation placed her at the center of the European symphonic and progressive metal scene, where she became a sought-after collaborator.
Her resume includes work with Epica, Kamelot, Ayreon and Avantasia, along with her own projects such as Trillium. Beyond performing, she has earned a reputation as a vocal coach, helping other singers develop their craft within the genre.
Her husband’s own history is closely tied to the scene as well. Gommans is a co-founder, main songwriter and guitarist of After Forever, the Dutch symphonic metal band formed in 1995 that helped launch the careers of vocalist Floor Jansen and guitarist Mark Jansen. The band’s legacy makes the couple a familiar presence to fans of the genre worldwide.
The news has also drawn attention to the wider context of the diagnosis. Somerville is 47 years old, and Gommans shared the announcement on Facebook on Saturday. Coverage of the statement has emphasized how sudden the family’s situation is, echoing his description of being “shocked” and “devastated.”
Meanwhile, Somerville made her name working with a string of metal bands including Epica, Avantasia, Kamelot, Trillium and After Forever, underscoring just how deeply she is woven into the community now rallying around her. Fans and fellow musicians have responded by sharing the family’s request for positive thoughts and prayers.
Separately, After Forever cancelled its planned 2026 Latin American tour. The reunited lineup had been set to include Angel Wolf-Black on vocals, Sander Gommans on guitar and vocals, Bas Maas on guitar, Luuk van Gerven on bass, Jeffrey Revet on keyboards and Ariën van Weesenbeek on drums.
For now, the focus remains on Somerville and her family. Gommans closed his message with a simple request: to keep Amanda and their children in mind and to send “hope and power” her way.
