Lamented Souls is Simen Hestnæs' longest running band, which began in 1991, and for which he plays guitar and handles the vocal duties. He actually started out as their drummer, but switched places with Ole Jørgen Moe when they became aware of his singing abilities. The band has back burnered for several years due to Simen's involvement with Dimmu Borgir and Arcturus, after Simen's ejection from Dimmu Borgir in 2009 he met with the other members of Lamented Souls to discuss recording a new album.