Delain

Delain
Delain performing live at Wacken Open Air in August 2010
Background information
Origin	Zwolle, Netherlands
Genres	Symphonic metal
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Roadrunner
Associated acts	Within Temptation, Hangover Hero
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 formed in 2002 by former Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Westerholt and Charlotte Wessels.

Biography

Formation

In 2001, Martijn was forced to leave Within Temptation after contracting Pfeiffer's disease. In 2002, he joined with Charlotte Wessels to form Delain. In the same year, they independently released the demo Amenity. However, it was not until 2005 that they were signed to Roadrunner Records. At the time, the band was envisioned as musical project featuring a host of guest musicians, and not as a live band.

Lucidity (2006-2007)

Lucidity brought to fruition Martijn's dream of a musical project, featuring many well-known musicians from the metal community: 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).

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 neighbouring countries. Rob van der Loo, Ronald Landa and Sander Zoer were added on bass, guitar and drums respectively to round out the live band.

April Rain (2008-2010)

At the end of 2007, Delain announced that they were working on their sophomore album. New songs from the album - Stay Forever and Stop Swimming - were added to the band's setlist in early 2008. Their second album, "April Rain" was released on February 9, 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. 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. In March, Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije was announced as Rob's successor. On October 4, 2010, Delain announced they were to part company with guitarist Ewout Pieters. Timo Somers was announced as his replacement on April 17 2011.

We Are The Others (2011-present)

During their 2011 live shows, Delain debuted three new songs - Manson, Get The Devil Out Of Me and Milk And Honey - from their upcoming third album, We Are The Others. In an interview with Sonic Cathedral, Charlotte 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.

Originally intended for release in early 2012, the album's release date is currently unknown after Warner Music's purchase of Roadrunner Records.

Members

Current

• Charlotte Wessels – Vocals (since 2005)
• Martijn Westerholt – Keyboards (since 2002)
• Sander Zoer – Drums (since 2006)
• Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije – Bass (since 2010)
• Timo Somers - Lead Guitar (since 2011)
• Bas Maas - Guitar (live) (since 2012)

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

Year	Title
2006	Lucidity
2009	April Rain
2012	We Are The Others

Singles

• "Frozen" (2006)
• "See Me In Shadow" (2007)
• "The Gathering" (2008)
• "April Rain" (2009)
• "Stay Forever" (2009)
• "Smalltown Boy" (2010)
• "Nothing Left" (2010)
• "We Are The others" (2012)

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
	TMF Awards	Best Rock	Best New Band	Nominated

References

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