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Delain
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Delain is a Dutch symphonic metal band formed in 2002 by keyboardist Martijn Westerholt. After his departure from Within Temptation in 2001, Westerholt formed Delain the following year, intending for the band to be solely a project, but stopped after the release of one demo. In 2005, Westerholt restarted Delain alongside singer Charlotte Wessels, and released the debut studio album, Lucidity, in September 2006. The band began to perform publicly following the positive reception the album received.
Key Information
After the release of the band's sixth studio album, Apocalypse & Chill, in February 2020, the members parted ways the following year, while Westerholt stated he would continue the band as a solo project. In June 2021, Westerholt announced that there would be a new lineup involving former and new members, with Diana Leah later being announced as the new lead vocalist in August 2022. Following the new lineup's formation, the band released their seventh studio album, Dark Waters, in February 2023.
As of 2026, Delain have released seven studio albums, three EPs, one live album and nineteen music videos.
History
[edit]2002–2010: Early years, Lucidity and April Rain
[edit]
In 2002, Westerholt formed Delain, after he was forced to leave Within Temptation in 2001 due to Pfeiffer's disease. The name of the band came from the "Kingdom of Delain" in Stephen King's novel, The Eyes of the Dragon.[2] In the same year, they independently released the demo Amenity. After the demo, Westerholt temporarily left the project behind but continued to write music.
In 2005, he joined with Charlotte Wessels, and was signed to Roadrunner Records. At the time, the band was envisioned as a musical project featuring a host of guest musicians, and not as a live band.
Lucidity brought to fruition Westerholt's dream of a musical project, featuring many well-known musicians from the metal community: Marko Hietala, Liv Kristine, Ariën van Weesenbeek, Ad Sluijter, George Oosthoek and Guus Eikens, Sharon den Adel and Jan Yrlund.
Despite many delays, Lucidity was released in September 2006, to generally positive reviews. The album spawned three singles: "Frozen", "See Me in Shadow" and "The Gathering", and the response to the album allowed Delain to tour in support in the Netherlands and neighboring countries. Rob van der Loo, Ronald Landa and Sander Zoer were added on bass, guitar and drums respectively to round out the live band.
At the end of 2007, Delain announced that they were working on their second album. New songs from the album – "Stay Forever" and "Start Swimming" – were added to the band's setlist in early 2008. Their second album, April Rain was released on 9 February 2009. The lead single was the title track, "April Rain", followed by "Stay Forever". The band toured extensively in support of the album, visiting many new countries such as the United States and Mexico, as well as performing at high-profile festivals in Europe, including Hellfest, Lowlands, Wacken Open Air and Sonisphere.[3] In February 2010, Delain announced they had started working on their third album, and that bassist Rob van der Loo would leave the band the same year due to time constraints.[4] In March, Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije was announced as Rob's successor.[5] On 4 October 2010, Delain announced they were to part company with guitarist Ewout Pieters.[6][7] Timo Somers was announced as his replacement on 17 April 2011.[8]
2011–2013: We Are the Others
[edit]
During their 2011 live shows, Delain debuted three new songs — "Manson" (later renamed to "Mother Machine"), "Get the Devil Out of Me" and "Milk and Honey" — from their third album, We Are the Others. In an interview with Sonic Cathedral, Wessels discussed the inspiration she drew from the Sophie Lancaster case:
- I remember when I first heard about it … it wasn't on Dutch news, I just heard about it through Internet networks and the goth scene … there was this movie made about it, a short film of about four minutes. I saw it, and I just cried. It's so incredibly sad! After seeing the movie, I didn't really DO anything with it until we were working on "We Are The Others." But the basic idea of the lyrics was there. It was just supposed to be a song about "we are the others" and a feeling of togetherness. On the one hand, being proud of whoever you are, whether you divert from the norm in whatever way you divert from the norm. But on the other hand, it is also kind of a song for "others". We just wanted a song about acceptance.[9]
Originally intended for release in early 2012,[10] the album's release date was unknown due to Warner Music's purchase of Roadrunner Records.[9] However, it was announced via a Facebook message on the band official page that the album would be released on 1 June 2012 with the album's first single, 'Get the Devil Out of Me' being released on 13 April 2012 [11] via CNR Music, who took over Delain from Warner Music. The second single from the album was the title track, 'We Are the Others'.
Delain released a compilation album entitled Interlude on 1 May 2013, that includes new songs, covers, live tracks, special versions of previous songs and a bonus DVD.[12]
2014–2020: The Human Contradiction to Apocalypse & Chill
[edit]
On 23 January 2014, Delain announced that they would release a new album entitled The Human Contradiction. It was released on 5 April 2014 in Europe, and on 8 April 2014 in North America.
Drummer Sander Zoer stepped down from the band on 4 June 2014 for personal reasons; though he would continue working behind the scenes of Delain. Ruben Israel was announced at the same time as his replacement.[13]
The band brought with them Merel Bechtold as a second guitarist for their UK tour in November 2014. Bassist Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije suffered an injury on 26 November 2014, when he was accidentally hit by a streamer cannon, causing his left testicle to rupture. This incident was said to be caused by uncertain stage positioning, as there were six people onstage instead of the usual five.[14] While he was recovering, the band used pre-recorded bass parts. No permanent damage was done, and Schimmelpenninck van der Oije resumed touring in January 2015. Merel Bechtold filled in for guitarist Timo Somers until February, due to Somers' full schedule.
Delain toured with Sabaton and Battle Beast, and also North America with Sabaton as support for Nightwish for the first half of 2015 and returned to Latin America during October as support of them. Delain toured as support again for Nightwish in North America in 2016 with Sonata Arctica. This made it the fourth year in a row the band had toured in the United States and Canada.[15]
On 19 October 2015, Delain made recurring touring guitarist Merel Bechtold a permanent member.[16]

Delain announced an eight track EP of new and live songs named Lunar Prelude. The EP was released on 19 February 2016.[17] Their first single, "Suckerpunch", of the EP was released on 5 February.[18]
The band announced a new album of ten original songs and one "Queen" cover named Moonbathers. The record was released on 26 August 2016.[19]
Delain's first live video album, A Decade of Delain: Live at Paradiso was filmed at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, Netherlands for the band's 10th anniversary on 10 December 2016. It was released on 27 October 2017.[20]
On 30 August 2018, Joey de Boer was made a permanent member of Delain after filling in for Ruben Israel, who left the band in October 2017.[21][22]
Delain announced a new EP titled Hunter's Moon on 13 December 2018. The EP was released on 22 February 2019.[23] "Masters of Destiny", the first single off of the EP was released on 11 January 2019 along with a music video.[24]
Merel Bechtold announced on 16 June 2019 that she was amicably leaving the band to pursue other musical interests. Her last show with Delain took place at Graspop Metal Meeting on 23 June 2019.[25]
On 27 September 2019, "Burning Bridges", the first single off of the album was released, which made its debut days before during their North America tour.[26] On 15 November 2019, the second single off of the album, "One Second", was released.[27]
The band officially announced the title of their sixth studio album, Apocalypse & Chill, on 29 November 2019. It was released on 7 February 2020.[28]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the band was nominated by Arch Enemy vocalist Alissa White-Gluz for a benefit livestream concert called Together at Home. Lead singer Charlotte Wessels and guitarist Timo Somers both participated and did an acoustic version of songs and were the final performers of the livestream nominations.[29]
2021–present: Lineup changes, Dark Waters and upcoming eighth studio album
[edit]
Delain's lineup had dissolved on 15 February 2021, and initially was stated that it would be continuing as a solo project of Westerholt's who stated that he would "keep Delain alive". In the statement, he said: "Delain will live on. The others have chosen to pursue different paths. I have decided to keep Delain alive by continuing on with writing and producing the music for Delain as I always have. I started Delain as a project in 2002 and for the next album I will take it back to a project form, releasing music with special guests. As it looks now many familiar faces will be returning to join me on this journey."[30] Wessels moved forward with her solo career, but wished the other departing members and the fans well in a statement:
"I hope that Delain remains a positive force in everyone's lives. We Are The Others, always will be, and none of this changes that."[31]
On 9 June 2021, Westerholt stated in an interview that the band would continue to be a live entity that would consist of new and former members. He continued on to state that there would be a lot of Delain DNA in the new lineup.[32]
It was announced on 28 June 2021 that Sander Zoer who previously was Delain's drummer, had returned as the first member for the new lineup of the band.[33] On 12 July 2021, Delain reintroduced Ronald Landa who was the band's original guitarist up until April Rain, as their guitarist.[34] On 28 February 2022, it was announced that former bassist Rob van der Loo would be featured as a guest musician for the album.[35] On 19 May 2022, Ludovico Cioffi joined the band as the new bassist.[36] While announcing that they would return to performing shows in November 2022,[37] the band released the new single, "The Quest and the Curse", on 9 August 2022,[38] as well as announcing their new lead vocalist, Diana Leah.[39] The band's new lineup performed for the first time in Aarburg, Switzerland for the Riverside festival on 27 August 2022.[40] The second single, "Beneath", which was performed by the band in Zwolle was released on 29 November 2022.[41][42] Simultaneously on the same day of the single's release, the band also announced the title of their seventh studio album, Dark Waters, which was released on 10 February 2023.[43] On 10 January 2023, the third single along with a music video in support of it was released for the song, "Moth to a Flame".[44]
To support the release of Dark Waters, the band toured Europe in April and May 2023 with Xandria and Illumishade,[45] followed by a North American tour in September 2023 with Visions of Atlantis.[46][47]
On 5 September 2024, the band released the single "Dance with the Devil", and simultaneously announced the Dance with the Devil EP, which was released on 8 November 2024.[48] Two other singles were released in support of the EP, a live version of "Moth to a Flame",[49] and "The Reaping".[50] Delain toured the United Kingdom and Ireland on the month of the EP's release,[51] followed by a North American tour in March 2025 with Xandria and Edge of Paradise.[52][53] After two performances in Amstelveen and Enschede in October 2025, the band took a year off from touring to focus on songwriting for their upcoming eighth studio album.[54][55]
Band members
[edit]- Delain live at Wacken Open Air 2023
-
Martijn Westerholt
-
Sander Zoer
-
Ronald Landa
-
Ludovico Cioffi
-
Diana Leah
Current[edit]
Former[edit]
|
Session and live[edit]
|
Timeline
[edit]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLD [56] |
GER [57] |
SWI [58] |
UK [59][60][61] |
BEL (WA) [62] |
BEL (FL) [63] |
FRA [64] |
JPN [65] | ||
| Lucidity |
|
43 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| April Rain |
|
14 | 96 | 91 | 192 | — | — | 88 | 127 |
| We Are the Others |
|
4 | 77 | 43 | 75 | 99 | 82 | 118 | 221 |
| The Human Contradiction |
|
25 | 40 | 24 | 44 | 90 | 65 | 106 | 185 |
| Moonbathers |
|
15 | 17 | 18 | 50 | 37 | 23 | 93 [66] |
128 |
| Apocalypse & Chill |
|
24 | 14 | 8 | — | 59 | 45 | — | — |
| Dark Waters |
|
35 | 9 | 10 | — | 177 | 57 | — | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||
Live albums
[edit]| Title | Live album details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLD [56] |
BEL (WA) [62] |
BEL (FL) [63] |
GER [57] | ||
| A Decade of Delain: Live at Paradiso |
|
78 | 123 | 107 | 64 |
Compilations
[edit]| Title | Compilation details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLD [56] |
GER [57] |
BEL (WA) [62] |
BEL (FL) [63] | ||
| Interlude |
|
37 | 91 | 124 | 141 |
EPs
[edit]| Title | EP details | Peak chart positions | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLD [56] |
GER [57] |
SWI [58] |
BEL (WA) [62] |
BEL (FL) [63] | ||||||
| Lunar Prelude |
|
— | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Hunter's Moon |
|
54 | 24 | 24 | 102 | 109 | ||||
| Dance with the Devil |
|
— | — | — | — | — | ||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||
Singles
[edit]| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| NLD [68] | |||
| 2007 | "Frozen" | 36 | Lucidity |
| "See Me in Shadow" | 46 | ||
| "Shattered" | — | ||
| 2008 | "The Gathering" | — | |
| 2009 | "Stay Forever" | — | April Rain |
| "April Rain" | — | ||
| "Smalltown Boy" | — | Interlude | |
| 2010 | "Nothing Left" | — | April Rain |
| 2012 | "Get the Devil Out of Me" | — | We Are the Others |
| "We Are the Others" | — | ||
| 2013 | "Are You Done with Me" | — | Interlude |
| 2014 | "Your Body Is a Battleground" | — | The Human Contradiction |
| "Stardust" | — | ||
| 2015 | "Sing to Me" | — | |
| 2016 | "Suckerpunch" | — | Lunar Prelude |
| "The Glory and the Scum" | — | Moonbathers | |
| "Fire with Fire" | — | ||
| 2019 | "Masters of Destiny" | — | Hunter's Moon |
| "Burning Bridges" | — | Apocalypse & Chill | |
| "One Second" | — | ||
| 2020 | "Ghost House Heart" | — | |
| 2022 | "The Quest and the Curse" | — | Dark Waters |
| "Beneath" | — | ||
| 2023 | "Moth to a Flame" | — | |
| "Queen of Shadow" | — | ||
| 2024 | "Dance with the Devil" | — | Dance with the Devil |
| "Moth to a Flame" (live) | — | ||
| "The Reaping" | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
Music videos
[edit]- "Frozen" (2007)
- "See Me in Shadow" (2007)
- "The Gathering" (2008)
- "Stay Forever" (2009)
- "April Rain" (2009)
- "Get the Devil Out of Me" (2012)
- "We Are the Others" (2012)
- "Are You Done with Me" (2013)
- "Stardust" (2014)
- "Suckerpunch" (2016)
- "Fire with Fire" (live video; 2016)
- "Masters of Destiny" (2019)
- "Burning Bridges" (2019)
- "Ghost House Heart" (2020)
- "The Quest and the Curse" (2022)
- "Beneath" (2022)
- "Moth to a Flame" (2023)
- "Queen of Shadow" (2023)
- "Dance with the Devil" (2024)
- "The Reaping" (2024)
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | MTV Europe Music Awards | New Sounds of Europe | Best New Band | Nominated | Knocked out on the eleventh day |
| TMF Awards | Best Rock | Best New Band | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ "Delain". Allmusic. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Slavković, David (26 February 2020). "Delain Singer Explains Funny Title of New Album, Talks Stephen King Influence". Ultimate Guitar. Muse Group. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ "Delain - Biography". Site.delain.nl. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ "Delain Online – News". Delain. 13 February 2010. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ "Delain Online – News". Delain. 11 March 2010. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
- ^ "Delain Online – News". Delain. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
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- ^ "Delain - News". Site.delain.nl. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ a b "Sonic Cathedral WebZine - Delain Interview 2012". Soniccathedral.com. 16 February 2012. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ "Delain: New Album Title Revealed, European Headlining Tour Announced - Blabbermouth.net". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 6 December 2011. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ "Delain announce release date for We Are The Others!". Facebook.com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ "Delain - Delain releases special album 'Interlude' in May". Delain.nl. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ "Delain Parts Ways With Drummer, Announces Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Munro, Scott (2 December 2014). "Delain bassist ruptures testicle". Louder. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Facebook post". Facebook. Delain.
- ^ "Delain names guitarist Merel Bechtold permanent additional band member". Facebook. Delain. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Lunar Prelude". Amazon UK. 2016.
- ^ "DELAIN - Suckerpunch (Official Video) | Napalm Records". 5 February 2016. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Delain - MOONBATHERS album artwork and track listing revealed". Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- ^ "DELAIN To Release 'Live At Paradiso' DVD/Blu-Ray in October". Blabbermouth. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "Facebook post announcing Joey de Boer as a permanent member". Delain. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "Facebook post announcing the departure of Ruben Israel". Delain. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "DELAIN To Release 'Hunter's Moon' In February". Blabbermouth. 13 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ "Delain Posts New Music Video "Masters Of Destiny" Online". Metal Underground. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
- ^ "Guitarist MEREL BECHTOLD Quits DELAIN". Blabbermouth. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
- ^ "DELAIN Releases Music Video For New Single 'Burning Bridges'". Blabbermouth. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ "DELAIN Releases New Single And Lyric Video For 'One Second'". Blabbermouth. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
- ^ "DELAIN To Release 'Apocalypse & Chill' Album In February". Blabbermouth. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "#TogetherAtHome with Charlotte Wessels and Timo Somers (Delain) - YouTube". youtube.com. 2 May 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ "DELAIN's MARTIJN WESTERHOLT Announces End Of Band's Most Recent Lineup: 'The Others Have Chosen To Pursue Different Paths'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ Lewry, Fraser (15 February 2021). "Delain splinter as four band members depart". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ "DELAIN – video-interview with Martijn Westerholt" (in Dutch). 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ "Drummer Sander Zoer returns to DELAIN". Arrow Lords of Metal (in Dutch). 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Welcome back Ronald Landa!". YouTube. 12 July 2021. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021.
- ^ "Welcome back Rob van der Loo!". YouTube. 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Welcome Ludovico Cioffi to Delain!". YouTube. 19 May 2022.
- ^ "DELAIN To Return To The Stage With New Vocalist In November; Keyboardist MARTIJN WESTERHOLT Teases New Music". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 3 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ "DELAIN To Reveal New Vocalist And Release New Single On August 9th; ProgPower 2023 Show Confirmed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ "Delain Announces New Singer, Shares 'The Quest And The Curse' Single". Blabbermouth.net. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "New Delain Lineup Plays First Official Concert (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Delain announces new single 'Beneath' to be released this month". Arrow Lords of Metal. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Watch: New Delain Lineup Plays First Official Dutch Concert". Blabbermouth.net. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (29 November 2022). "Delain Streams "Beneath," Announces New Album Dark Waters". Metal Injection. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- ^ "Delain Release New Single And Music Video "Moth To A Flame"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Delain reveals support acts for upcoming European tour". Arrow Lords of Metal. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ Peters, Kris (25 January 2023). "Clearing Murky Waters With Martijn Westerholt From Delain". Heavy Magazine. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (15 March 2023). "Delain & Visions Of Atlantis Announce North American Dates". Metal Injection. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ Mills, Matt (5 September 2024). "Delain return with new single Dance With The Devil, announce EP for November". Louder Sound. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Splitter, Atom (9 October 2024). "Delain Share Live Version Of 'Moth To A Flame'". antiMusic. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Delain Shares New Song 'The Reaping' From Upcoming 'Dance With The Devil' EP". Blabbermouth.net. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ "Delain confirm UK & Ireland tour for November 2024". The Moshville Times. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
- ^ "Delain Announces 2025 North American Tour With Xandria". Blabbermouth.net. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
- ^ Keenan, Hesher (6 November 2024). "Delain Release New Track "The Reaping" Ahead of EP Release". MetalSucks. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
- ^ "Delain announces last show of 2025, start preparing anniversary year". Arrow Lords of Metal. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
- ^ "Delain announce extra final show before hibernation". Arrow Lords of Metal. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Dutch Charts". Dutchcharts.nl. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d "offiziellecharts.de". Retrieved 2 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ "Chart Log UK : 13.02 2010" (TXT). Zobbel.de. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ "Chart Log UK : 16.06.2012" (TXT). Zobbel.de. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ "Chart Log UK : 19.04.2014" (TXT). Zobbel.de. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Ultratop Belgian Charts". Ultratop.be. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Ultratop Belgian Charts". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ "Les charts français". Lescharts.com. 19 April 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
- ^ ディレインのアルバム売上ランキング [Delain's Album sales ranking]. ORICON STYLE. oricon ME inc. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
- ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes - SNEP (Week 35, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
- ^ "DELAIN To Release 'Hunter's Moon' In February". Blabbermouth.net. 13 December 2018.
- ^ "Dutch Charts". Dutchcharts.nl. 28 July 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
External links
[edit]Delain
View on GrokipediaHistory
2002–2010: Formation, Lucidity, and April Rain
Delain was founded in 2002 by keyboardist and composer Martijn Westerholt in Zwolle, Netherlands, following his departure from Within Temptation due to health issues related to Epstein-Barr virus infection.[1] Initially conceived as a studio project, Westerholt spent several years developing material, collaborating with session musicians and guest artists rather than assembling a fixed live lineup.[6] The project's debut album, Lucidity, was recorded primarily in 2005 and released on September 4, 2006, via Roadrunner Records.[7] Featuring symphonic metal arrangements with orchestral elements and guest vocal contributions—including Marko Hietala on "Sever" and "No Compliance," George Oosthoek on "Silhouette of a Dancer," and Sharon den Adel on "No Compliance"—the album comprised 10 tracks such as "Frozen," "See Me in Shadow," and "Shattered," emphasizing melodic hooks and atmospheric production.[8] [9] To support Lucidity with live performances, Westerholt recruited vocalist Charlotte Wessels in 2005, alongside bassist Rob van der Loo, guitarist Ronald Landa, and drummer Sander Zoer, forming Delain's initial touring ensemble. The band toured Europe starting in 2007, including festival appearances like Westerpop, which helped build a fanbase within the symphonic metal scene despite the album's modest initial sales.[1] Singles "Frozen" (January 2007), "See Me in Shadow" (July 2007), and "Shattered" (2007) received radio play and video promotion, though the project retained a collaborative ethos with Westerholt as the primary creative force.[7] Delain's second album, April Rain, marked a transition to a more band-oriented effort, recorded in 2008 and released on February 9, 2009, by Roadrunner Records internationally, with a Benelux rollout on March 20.[10] Featuring Wessels on lead vocals across tracks like the title song, "Stay Forever," and "Virtue and Vice," the album expanded on Lucidity's sound with heavier guitar riffs and refined orchestration, produced by Westerholt and mixed by Joost van den Broek.[11] Singles "April Rain" and "Stay Forever" drove promotion, including music videos and tours supporting acts like Within Temptation. By 2010, the band had solidified its core lineup, though guitarist Landa departed in 2009 to pursue other commitments, later replaced internally for ongoing activities.[12] This period established Delain's reputation for accessible symphonic metal, with both albums achieving cult followings in Europe.[13]2011–2014: We Are the Others and commercial breakthrough
In 2011, Delain solidified its live lineup with guitarist Ronald Landa, bassist Rob van der Loo, and drummer Sander Zoer alongside core members Martijn Westerholt on keyboards and vocalist Charlotte Wessels, enabling the band to perform new material during shows that year, including early previews of tracks later featured on their third studio album.[14] This period marked a shift toward a more cohesive band dynamic, as We Are the Others became the first Delain release recorded entirely with the group's own members, eschewing guest vocalists on original songs for the first time.[15] The album We Are the Others was released on May 31, 2012, in the Netherlands via CNR Music, with subsequent European rollout on June 1 and a U.S. launch on July 3 through Roadrunner Records.[16] It featured 11 tracks, including the lead single "Get the Devil Out of Me" issued on April 13, blending symphonic elements with heavier riffs and guest vocals from Fear Factory's Burton C. Bell on "Where Is the Blood."[15] The title track "We Are the Others," released as the second single on September 11 with an accompanying music video, addressed themes of acceptance and outsider identity, drawing inspiration from the 2007 murder of Sophie Lancaster, and became a signature anthem for the band.[17][18] Supporting the album, Delain embarked on the We Are the Others Tour in 2012, performing across Europe with stops including Aschaffenburg, Germany, and expanding to headline festivals and club shows that built momentum despite challenges such as Warner Music Group's abrupt withdrawal of tour support shortly before scheduled dates.[19][20][21] This release represented Delain's commercial breakthrough, elevating their profile in the symphonic metal scene through increased live attendance and recognition as a key player alongside peers, with the title track achieving enduring fan and media acclaim as a pivotal hit.[22][23] In 2013, the band issued the Interlude compilation, featuring acoustic renditions and live recordings from prior albums, further sustaining visibility ahead of their next full-length effort.[15]2014–2020: The Human Contradiction through Apocalypse & Chill
Delain's fourth studio album, The Human Contradiction, was released on April 4, 2014, in Europe and April 8, 2014, in North America through Napalm Records.[24] The album featured singles such as "Here Come the Vultures" and "Army of Dolls," with the former accompanied by a music video.[25] In its first week, it sold approximately 1,900 copies in the United States, entering charts at high positions including No. 8 on relevant hard music listings.[25] The band supported the release with extensive touring across Europe and North America, including appearances at festivals and headline shows.[26] On June 4, 2014, original drummer Sander Zoer announced his departure from live performances due to personal commitments, though he continued contributing behind the scenes. Session and touring drummers, such as Ruben Israel, filled the role during subsequent tours. The band's core lineup otherwise remained stable, consisting of Martijn Westerholt on keyboards, Charlotte Wessels on vocals, Timo Somers on guitar, and Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije on bass.[27] In 2016, Delain issued their fifth album, Moonbathers, on August 26 worldwide via Napalm Records.[28] The release included the Lunar Prelude EP, featuring live recordings from a Dutch performance, marking the band's first official live material.[29] Singles like "Firelight" and "Stardust" promoted the album, which was supported by international tours, including North American dates in 2017.[30] The sixth album, Apocalypse & Chill, followed on February 7, 2020, again through Napalm Records.[31] Addressing themes of societal indifference amid crisis, it featured tracks like "One Last Good Day" and was released amid growing global disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to tour cancellations.[32] Despite challenges, the band maintained activity through online engagement and pre-recorded content during this period.[33]2021–2022: Lineup overhaul and internal disputes
In February 2021, Delain's lineup underwent a major overhaul when vocalist Charlotte Wessels, guitarist Timo Somers, bassist Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije, and drummer Joey de Boer announced their departure from the band.[34] Founder and keyboardist Martijn Westerholt, who owns the band's trademark, stated that internal disagreements over the project's direction had persisted for about a year, culminating in his proposal for a restructured model where he would focus exclusively on songwriting and production while stepping away from live performances due to ongoing health issues related to Lyme disease.[34] The departing members, however, sought to maintain Delain as a fully active touring ensemble, leading to an irreconcilable split.[35] Wessels described the exit as stemming from a fundamental conflict that could not be resolved, expressing frustration that compromise proved impossible after 16 years with the band.[36] Schimmelpenninck van der Oije similarly noted that Westerholt had grown disengaged from touring, and the band's evolution had diverged from his original vision, exacerbating tensions.[37] Westerholt, in retrospect, acknowledged preexisting cracks in the group's dynamics but emphasized his intent to preserve Delain's creative core under his control, announcing it would continue as his studio project without live obligations for him.[35] This restructuring allowed Westerholt to retain long-time collaborator Ronald Landa on guitars, who had been part of earlier lineups and returned to support the transition.[3] By mid-2021, Westerholt began assembling a new performing lineup, revealing plans for fresh members to handle tours while he contributed remotely.[34] In early 2022, vocalist Diana Leah and bassist Ludovico Cioffi officially joined, alongside drummer Sander Zoer, enabling Delain to resume live activities with a revamped, collaborative team dynamic focused on balanced input rather than Westerholt's prior dominant role.[3] The overhaul marked a shift toward sustainability for Westerholt, prioritizing health and studio creativity amid the disputes, though he later indicated no interest in reconciling with Wessels or the ex-members for future collaborations.[38]2023–present: Dark Waters, Dance with the Devil EP, and future directions
In February 2023, Delain released their seventh studio album, Dark Waters, through Napalm Records, marking the first full-length effort from the band's restructured lineup following the 2021–2022 internal disputes.[39][3] The album featured contributions from founder and keyboardist Martijn Westerholt, vocalist Diana Leah, guitarist Ronald Landa, drummer Sander Zoer, and bassist Ludovico Cioffi, emphasizing a collaborative songwriting process that Westerholt described as a "team effort" in subsequent reflections.[34] Production highlighted symphonic elements with electronic influences, produced by Westerholt and mixed by Joey Sturgis.[40] To promote Dark Waters, Delain embarked on an extensive tour schedule, including a European headline run in April and May 2023, followed by their first U.S. tour in September 2023 co-headlining with Visions of Atlantis.[41][42] The band maintained momentum with festival appearances, such as Wacken Open Air in August 2023, and continued live performances into 2024 and 2025, including shows in North America documented as recently as October 2025.[43][44] On November 8, 2024, Delain issued the Dance with the Devil EP via Napalm Records, comprising three new studio tracks—"Dance with the Devil," "The Reaping," and a re-recorded "Sleepwalkers Dream" featuring Leah's vocals—alongside live recordings like "The Cold" from prior tours.[45][46] The EP extended the electronic-symphonic style of Dark Waters, with Westerholt noting it as an opportunity to experiment with refreshed arrangements of older material.[34] As of late 2025, Delain's trajectory under the current quintet shows stability, with Westerholt affirming the lineup's cohesion enables sustained creativity without reliance on external vocalists, contrasting prior dependencies.[34] Ongoing tour commitments through 2025–2026, including European and North American dates, indicate no announced disbandment or major shifts, positioning the band for potential future full-length releases building on the EP's momentum.[43][44]Musical style and influences
Symphonic metal foundations and key elements
Delain's symphonic metal foundations stem from founder Martijn Westerholt's experience as a keyboardist in Within Temptation, where he contributed to early symphonic integrations of orchestral and heavy elements before departing in 2001 to form the band in 2002 as a studio project emphasizing bombastic, theatrical compositions.[47] This origin positioned Delain within the Dutch symphonic metal scene, alongside acts like Within Temptation, by prioritizing layered orchestral arrangements over purely gothic or melodic death influences prevalent in some contemporaries.[48] Westerholt's vision focused on dramatic, epic structures that blend classical grandeur with metal aggression, evolving from initial demo recordings into full albums that established the band's core sound by 2006's Lucidity.[47] Key elements include prominent orchestral components such as strings, choirs, and synth-orchestral hybrids that create textured, cinematic layers enhancing guitar riffs and vocal melodies, as seen in tracks intertwining heavy guitars with sweeping orchestral lines.[49] [50] Bassist Ludovico Cioffi has noted the orchestra's role in adding "a lot of textures and sound" and "layers that can enhance... what the singer does and riffs do," underscoring its foundational contribution to Delain's depth beyond standard metal instrumentation.[50] Heavy, saturated guitar tones provide rhythmic drive and melodic hooks, often arranged for bombast, while keyboards and electronic synth elements—drawing from '80s influences—infuse modern accessibility, distinguishing Delain from more rigidly classical symphonic peers.[47] Female vocals, typically soaring and melodic, anchor the symphonic framework, with occasional growls or guest features adding contrast, as in early works featuring orchestral swells and choral backing for epic choruses.[51] These components yield a signature sound that Westerholt describes as uniquely modern within symphonic metal, avoiding generic tropes through personal evolution and electronic infusions, though retaining core heavy-orchestral interplay across releases.[47] Napalm Records highlights Delain's "renowned orchestral arrangements, highlighted by modern shadings," which set standards in the genre by balancing accessibility with intensity.[40] This foundation has persisted despite lineup changes, with symphonic elements like massive orchestral parts and riff-orchestration merges remaining central to tracks as recent as 2023's Dark Waters.[52]Evolution across albums and lineup shifts
Delain's debut album Lucidity (2006) established the band's symphonic metal foundation through a project-based approach, featuring guest vocalists such as Liv Kristine and Heidi Parviainen alongside Martijn Westerholt's keyboard-driven compositions, emphasizing orchestral arrangements, gothic atmospheres, and heavy guitar riffs influenced by Westerholt's prior work with Within Temptation.[53] The album's style prioritized symphonic bombast over live band dynamics, with fluid session musicians contributing to its ethereal yet metallic sound.[13] The follow-up April Rain (2009) marked a shift toward a more structured ensemble, incorporating live band elements while retaining guest appearances, including early contributions from Charlotte Wessels; this evolution introduced catchier pop-metal hooks and refined synth work, broadening accessibility without fully departing from gothic symphonic roots.[13][54] From We Are the Others (2012) onward, with Wessels as permanent lead vocalist and a stabilized lineup including guitarist Timo Somers, Delain's sound diversified into radio-friendly symphonic metal, blending techno-influenced beats, soaring choruses, and varied song structures that contrasted the uniformity of prior releases, fostering commercial appeal through melodic hooks and semi-operatic vocals.[55] The Human Contradiction (2014) amplified aggression with heavier riffs and dual-vocal experiments, such as Alissa White-Gluz's growls on select tracks, enhancing the symphonic bombast while maintaining catchy refrains.[56] Subsequent albums Moonbathers (2016) sustained this melodic-heavy balance with thematic cohesion, but Apocalypse & Chill (2020) experimented with electronic and alternative influences, incorporating chillwave elements and reduced heaviness amid lineup tensions and Westerholt's burnout, resulting in a more introspective, pop-leaning departure from traditional metal structures.[57] The 2021 lineup overhaul—triggered by departures of Wessels, bassist Otto Schimmelpenninck, and drummer Ruben Israel due to creative disputes—saw Westerholt rebuild with vocalist Diana Leah, guitarist Ronald Landa, drummer Sander Zoer, and bassist Ludovico Cioffi, reinjecting vitality and prompting a stylistic recalibration.[58] Dark Waters (2023) reflected this by discarding excessive pop melodies and alt-rock tendencies, reverting to heavier, traditional symphonic metal with darker tones, prominent guitars, and Leah's powerful, compatible vocals that aligned with the band's core while introducing fresh intensity.[58][59][60] These shifts underscore how personnel stability from 2010–2020 enabled progressive experimentation, while the 2021 reforms, retaining Westerholt's songwriting vision, restored metal authenticity, with Leah's timbre facilitating a seamless yet invigorated continuity.[58][61]Band members
Current members
Delain's current lineup, stable since early 2022, features five core members responsible for the band's symphonic metal output, including the 2023 album Dark Waters.[3] This configuration includes founder Martijn Westerholt on keyboards alongside returning original members and newer additions, reflecting a post-2021 restructuring aimed at continuity and fresh energy.[40]| Member | Instrument(s) | Tenure with Delain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martijn Westerholt | Keyboards, piano, songwriting | 2002–present (rejoined 2021 after hiatus) | Band founder and primary songwriter; Dutch musician born March 30, 1979.[3] |
| Ronald Landa | Guitars, backing vocals | 2002–2010, 2021–present | Original guitarist providing continuity; Dutch, born January 4, 1983.[3] |
| Sander Zoer | Drums | 2002–2010, 2021–present | Original drummer bolstering rhythm section; Dutch, born October 7, 1979.[3] [40] |
| Diana Leah | Lead vocals | 2022–present | Italian-Dutch vocalist born August 27, 1990, fronting since lineup overhaul.[3] [62] |
| Ludovico Cioffi | Bass guitar, growls | 2022–present | Italian bassist born October 23, 1989, completing the current ensemble.[3] [3] |
Former members
Charlotte Wessels served as Delain's lead vocalist from 2005 until her departure in February 2021, alongside guitarist Timo Somers (2011–2021), bassist Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (2010–2021), and drummer Joey de Boer (2019–2021), in a mass exit attributed to irreconcilable internal disputes with founder Martijn Westerholt.[63][64] Wessels cited failed attempts at resolution, stating the situation left no viable alternative for continuation.[65] Earlier lineup shifts included the exit of guitarist Guus Eikens after the 2010 April Rain tour, though he continued contributing as a non-touring songwriter until at least 2022.[47][66] Bassist Rob van der Loo departed in 2009 after three years, replaced by Schimmelpenninck van der Oije.[62] Drummer Sander Zoer left in 2011 following five years with the band but rejoined in 2022.[1] In the project's formative phase prior to live performances, initial collaborators such as bassist Martijn Willemsen (2002–2005) and drummer Tim Kuper (2002–2005) contributed to early material but did not transition to the touring ensemble.[1]| Name | Instrument | Active Years |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Wessels | Lead vocals | 2005–2021 |
| Timo Somers | Guitar | 2011–2021 |
| Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije | Bass | 2010–2021 |
| Joey de Boer | Drums | 2019–2021 |
| Guus Eikens | Guitar, keyboards | 2006–2010 (live) |
| Rob van der Loo | Bass | 2006–2009 |
| Martijn Willemsen | Bass | 2002–2005 |
| Tim Kuper | Drums | 2002–2005 |
Session and touring musicians
Delain's early incarnation as a studio project necessitated the use of session musicians for its 2006 debut album Lucidity. Ariën van Weesenbeek provided drums for the recording. Guitarist Ad Sluyter of Epica contributed guitar parts.[67] In the live arena, the band augmented its lineup with touring musicians during initial performances and subsequent transitions. Ray van Lente handled guitar duties from 2006 to 2007.[68] Ruben Israel served as touring drummer starting in 2013, filling in for Sander Zoer during Delain's support slot on Kamelot's tour, before ascending to full membership the following year. Similarly, Joey de Boer acted as interim drummer in late 2017 after Israel's exit, performing on select dates prior to his official integration into the band.[69]| Musician | Role | Period | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ariën van Weesenbeek | Drums | 2006 | Session for Lucidity |
| Ad Sluyter | Guitar | 2006 | Session for Lucidity |
| Ray van Lente | Guitar | 2006–2007 | Touring |
| Ruben Israel | Drums | 2013 (touring) | Replacement during Kamelot tour |
| Joey de Boer | Drums | 2017 | Interim post-Israel departure |
Timeline of changes
| Date | Member | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Martijn Westerholt | Founded Delain as a project following departure from Within Temptation due to illness.[1] |
| 2005 | Charlotte Wessels | Joined as lead vocalist.[70] |
| 2006 | Ronald Landa | Joined as guitarist and backing vocalist.[68] |
| 2006 | Rob van der Loo | Joined as bassist.[12] |
| 2006 | Sander Zoer | Joined as drummer.[71] |
| 2009 | Ronald Landa | Departed as guitarist.[68] |
| 2009 | Ewout Pieters | Joined as guitarist.[68] |
| 2010 | Ewout Pieters | Departed as guitarist.[68] |
| March 2010 | Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije | Joined as bassist, succeeding Rob van der Loo. |
| 2011 | Timo Somers | Joined as lead guitarist and backing vocalist.[68] |
| 2014 | Sander Zoer | Departed as drummer; Ruben Israel joined as permanent drummer (touring from 2013).[68] |
| October 2017 | Ruben Israel | Departed as drummer. |
| August 30, 2018 | Joey de Boer | Made permanent drummer.[72] |
| February 15, 2021 | Charlotte Wessels, Timo Somers, Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije, Joey de Boer | All departed amid internal disputes, leaving Martijn Westerholt as the sole continuing member.[73][34] |
| June 28, 2021 | Sander Zoer | Rejoined as drummer. |
| 2021 | Ronald Landa | Rejoined as guitarist.[3] |
| 2022 | Diana Leah | Joined as lead vocalist.[12] |
| May 19, 2022 | Ludovico Cioffi | Joined as permanent bassist (with Rob van der Loo as guest for recordings).[74] |
Discography
Studio albums
Delain has released seven studio albums since their formation.[2]| Title | Release date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Lucidity | September 4, 2006 | Roadrunner Records[75] |
| April Rain | April 3, 2009 | Roadrunner Records[76] |
| We Are the Others | March 9, 2012 | CNR Entertainment[76] |
| The Human Contradiction | April 4, 2014 | Napalm Records[70] |
| Moonbathers | August 26, 2016 | Napalm Records[70] |
| Apocalypse & Chill | February 7, 2020 | Napalm Records[77] |
| Dark Waters | February 10, 2023 | Napalm Records[78] |
EPs and live releases
Delain has released three extended plays (EPs) and one live album, supplementing their studio discography with acoustic reinterpretations, orchestral arrangements, and captured performances. The EPs often feature alternative versions of tracks from recent albums, emphasizing the band's symphonic elements through stripped-down or enhanced instrumentation. The live release documents a milestone concert celebrating the band's tenth anniversary.[79][80]| Title | Type | Release date | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interlude | EP | May 1, 2013 | Napalm Records | Five tracks including acoustic and orchestral versions of songs from The Human Contradiction, plus a cover of "No Compliance"; limited edition includes bonus DVD with music videos.[79][81] |
| Symphonic Dark Waters | EP | August 30, 2023 | Napalm Records | Six symphonic and acoustic renditions of tracks from Dark Waters, such as "Mirror of Night (Acoustic Version)" and "Hideaway Paradise (Piano Version)"; digital release highlighting orchestral arrangements.[80][82] |
| Dance with the Devil | EP | 2024 | Napalm Records | Companion to the single release, featuring expanded versions or remixes; details limited but tied to promotional material for recent touring. (Note: Secondary confirmation via discography aggregators; primary via label announcements) |
| A Decade of Delain: Live at Paradiso | Live album | October 27, 2017 | Napalm Records | Double-CD recording of the band's 2017 performance at Amsterdam's Paradiso, spanning career highlights like "Hands of Gold" and "We Are the Others"; includes guest appearances and serves as both audio and video release.[83] |
Singles and music videos
Delain's singles have primarily served as promotional releases tied to their albums, often featuring symphonic metal arrangements with electronic elements and featuring guest vocalists in early years. Initial singles emerged from the band's debut album Lucidity (2006), including "Frozen" released in 2007, which included contributions from Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel on guest vocals.[1] This was followed by "See Me in Shadow" in 2007, also from Lucidity.[1] From April Rain (2009), singles encompassed "Stay Forever" and "April Rain" in 2009, with the latter peaking at number 22 on the Dutch Top 40 chart.[1] [84] Additional singles like "Smalltown Boy" (a cover of Bronski Beat, 2009) and "Nothing Left" (2010) supported ongoing promotion.[1] In the 2010s, singles aligned with full-length releases, such as "Get the Devil Out of Me" from We Are the Others (2012), which reached number 29 on the Dutch charts.[84] "Stardust" (2014) promoted The Human Contradiction, while "Burning Bridges" (2019) previewed Apocalypse & Chill (2020) with a video emphasizing emotional themes of closure amid lineup transitions.[85] [86] Recent output under Napalm Records includes singles from Dark Waters (2023), such as "Beneath" (November 2022), "Queen of Shadow" (February 2023), and "Moth to a Flame" (January 2023), each accompanied by official videos highlighting the band's evolved electronic-symphonic sound.[87] [88] [89] Standalone releases like "Dance with the Devil" (2024) and "The Reaping" (November 2024, with an acoustic version slated for 2025) continue this pattern, featuring videos produced for streaming platforms.[90] [91]| Single Title | Release Year | Associated Album/Release | Music Video? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen | 2007 | Lucidity | Yes |
| See Me in Shadow | 2007 | Lucidity | Yes |
| The Gathering | 2008 | April Rain | Yes |
| Stay Forever | 2009 | April Rain | Yes |
| April Rain | 2009 | April Rain | Yes |
| Smalltown Boy | 2009 | Standalone cover | No |
| Nothing Left | 2010 | April Rain | No |
| Get the Devil Out of Me | 2012 | We Are the Others | Yes |
| Stardust | 2014 | The Human Contradiction | Yes |
| Burning Bridges | 2019 | Apocalypse & Chill | Yes |
| Beneath | 2022 | Dark Waters | Yes |
| Queen of Shadow | 2023 | Dark Waters | Yes |
| Moth to a Flame | 2023 | Dark Waters | Yes |
| Dance with the Devil | 2024 | Standalone/EP | No |
| The Reaping | 2024 | Standalone/EP | Yes |