Delain

Born in Zwolle, the Netherlands, around keyboardist Martijn Westerholt, Delain took shape in 2002 as a symphonic metal project before becoming a full band in 2005 with the arrival of vocalist Charlotte Wessels. Delain’s music blends heavy guitars, prominent keyboards, melodic choruses and arrangements derived from European symphonic metal, with songwriting that also incorporates rock and pop‑metal touches. The first album, Lucidity, was released in 2006 with several guests from the metal scene; Delain then established itself on Dutch and European stages and expanded its international touring after April Rain in 2009. Subsequent releases include We Are the Others (2012), Interlude (2013), The Human Contradiction (2014), Moonbathers (2016) and Apocalypse & Chill (2020). During that period the band also played festivals such as Hellfest, Wacken and Sonisphere and supported several metal acts on tour. In 2021 the lineup split around Westerholt, who relaunched Delain with a new lineup. Singer Diana Leah was announced in 2022, and this new incarnation released Dark Waters in 2023 as a quintet, continuing the band’s symphonic identity while tightening its melodic approach.