Delain

Delain
Delain performing live at Wacken Open Air in August 2010
Background information
Origin	Zwolle, Netherlands
Genres	Symphonic metal Gothic metal
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Roadrunner
Associated acts	Within Temptation
Website	www.delain.nl
Members
Charlotte Wessels Martijn Westerholt Sander Zoer Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije Timo Somers
Past members
Anne Invernizzi Ewout Pieters Roy van Enkhuyzen Tim Kuper Frank van der Meijden Martijn Willemsen Ray van Lente Ronald Landa Rob van der Loo

Charlotte Wessels, vocalist of Delain during a concert in p60.

Delain is a Dutch symphonic metal band. The band was founded by the ex-keyboardist of Within Temptation, Martijn Westerholt.

Biography

Founding

Delain was founded by Martijn Westerholt and Charlotte Wessels. Westerholt is the ex-keyboardist and brother of one of the founders of Within Temptation, Robert Westerholt. He left Within Temptation in 2001 when he suffered from Pfeiffer's disease. Wessels was, at that time, an unknown singer living near Westerholt. They started Delain, as a project involving many of Westerholt's friends in the Symphonic Metal Community, in 2002, and began recording the debut album in July 2005, after they had signed a contract with Roadrunner Records.

Lucidity

For their first album Lucidity they invited several well known musicians: Marco Hietala from Nightwish and Tarot (bass, vocals), Liv Kristine from Leaves' Eyes (vocals), Ariën van Weesenbeek from ex-God Dethroned, Epica (drums), Ad Sluijter from ex-Epica (guitar), George Oosthoek (growling) and Guus Eikens, both former members of Orphanage, Sharon Den Adel from Within Temptation (vocals) and Jan Yrlund from Imperia (guitar).

Delain's first album Lucidity was to be released April 2006, but was postponed to the end of May and postponed again to August 21 before it was finally released on September 4. Samples of their music have been released on their website, and full versions of the songs Sleepwalker's Dream and The Gathering, as well as the music video for the song Frozen.^[1] From Lucidity they released the singles Frozen, See Me In Shadow and The Gathering, the last one being a download-only single.

With the success of Lucidity, Delain turned into a touring band, rather than a project. The band then consisted of Martijn Westerholt (keyboard) and Charlotte Wessels (vocals), the only two members who appeared on the album. Furthermore, the band consisted of Rob van der Loo (bass), Ronald Landa (guitar) and Sander Zoer (drums).

April Rain

At the end of 2007, Delain stated that they intended to release a second album in 2008, and began playing two new songs live, Stay Forever and Start Swimming. In November 2008, it was announced on their official website that the new album, April Rain, would be released on February 9 2009. Also, they played a new song on Dutch television called I'll Reach You. This turned out to be a different version of the song that would appear on the forthcoming album.

Since then, April Rain has been released^[2] to coincide with foreign release dates. The first single from the album was the title track April Rain. The second single from this album was Stay Forever.

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.^[3] In March Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije was announced as Rob's successor.^[4]

In July 2010 they were the opening band at the Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth, UK. They opened on Friday July 30 on the Saturn Stage

Third Album

The band has been working on new material and plan to release a new album in 2011.^[5]

On October 4, 2010 Delain announced they were to part company with guitarist Ewout Pieters from October 30 and also announced that they were actively seeking a new guitar player.^[6][7]

In February 2011, the band launched their new website.

On April 17 2011, they announced on their official website and blog that the new guitarist will be Timo Somers.^[8]

In 2011 Delain began playing three new songs with the working titles of Manson, Get The Devil Out Of Me and Milk And Honey

Members

Current

• Charlotte Wessels – Vocals (since 2005)
• Martijn Westerholt – Keyboards (since 2002)
• Sander Zoer – Drums (since 2006)
• Otto van der Oije – Bass (since 2010)^[9]
• Timo Somers - Guitars (since 2011)

Former

• Ewout Peters - Guitars (2009–2010)
• Rob Van Der Loo - Bass (2005–2010)
• Ronald Landa – Guitars / Vocals (2006–2009)
• Ray van Lente – Guitars (2006–2007)
• Roy van Enkhuyzen – Guitars (2002–2005)
• Frank van der Meijden – Guitars (2002–2005)
• Anne Invernizzi – Vocals (2002–2005)
• Martijn Willemsen – Bass (2002–2005)
• Tim Kuper – Drums (2002–2005)

Touring

• Roel Vink – bass (2009)

Session

• Marco Hietala - bass and vocals (2006, 2008–2009)

Discography

Albums

Release date	Title
2006	Lucidity
2009	April Rain
2012	TBA

Singles

• "Frozen" (2006)
• "See Me In Shadow" (2007)
• "The Gathering" (2008)
• "April Rain" (2009)
• "Stay Forever" (2009)
• "Nothing Left" (2010)

Demos

• Amenity (2002)

Awards and Nominations

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
2007	TMF Awards	Best Rock	Best New Band	Nominated

References

1. ^ "Sleepwalker's Dream from Roadrunnerecords.nl". http://www.roadrunnerrecords.nl/shared/downloads/Delain/Delain_-_Sleepwalkers_Dream.mp3. 
2. ^ Delain reveals ' April Rain ' album cover art and tracklisting!!
3. ^ "Delain Online – News". Delain. 13 February 2010. http://site.delain.nl/news/. Retrieved 13 February 2010. 
4. ^ "Delain Online – News". Delain. 11 March 2010. http://site.delain.nl/news/component/Articles/show/article/id/1273. Retrieved 11 March 2010. 
5. ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=145881
6. ^ "Delain Online - News". Delain. 4 October 2010. http://site.delain.nl/. Retrieved 4 October 2010. 
7. ^ http://www.facebook.com/notes/ewout-pieters/statement-concerning-departure-from-delain/151755414859951
8. ^ http://site.delain.nl/
9. ^ Delain Welcomes Otto!

3. Interview with Charlotte Wessels @ La Boule Noire (Paris - 25.01.2008) - From www.metal-ways.com

External links

• Official website
• Metal Archives on Delain
• Official Delain MySpace page
• Official French website and Official French forum