DELAIN has started a thrilling new chapter and is ready to storm the globe again. After experiencing a lineup change in 2021, Martijn Westerholt (founder/main songwriter/keys) was rejoined by long-time members Ronald Landa (guitars) and Sander Zoer (drums). In early 2022, DELAIN was further strengthened by the addition of Diana Leah (vocals) and Ludovico Cioffi (bass) completing their dynamic lineup in time to record the band’s highly anticipated seventh studio album DARK WATERS which was released via Napalm Records on February 10, 2023. DELAIN has seven studio albums and three EP’s to its name, including guest performances from the titans of the scene, among others: Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Marko Hietala (NIGHTWISH) who is a returning guest on the new album DARK WATERS, and Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY). Having toured the globe with bands like NIGHTWISH, SABATON and WITHIN TEMPTATION, and having rocked festivals like WACKEN, GRASPOP, and DOWNLOAD, DELAIN has strongly carved its niche within the scene as one of the original early generation bands in the genre. With its revitalized lineup, including the stunning and breathtaking vocals by Diana Leah, DELAIN is set to continue their legacy and forge new paths within the metal scene. “This album captures all elements Delain is known for”, Westerholt says of DARK WATERS. “Our distinctive heavy guitar riffs, massive orchestral parts, both heavy metal and pop vocals, and rock opera vibes along with 80s synth sounds. In short, this is definitely a recognizable Delain album that contains classic ‘Delain elements’ while also moving forward with fresh influences”. A sonic rollercoaster ride of catchy tunes with explosive elements - ranging from pop to film score-inspired to blistering metal, DARK WATERS is sure to enthrall long-time fans and new listeners alike. The album presents 10 brand new tracks, including guest appearances by Marko Hietala (Nightwish) and Paolo Ribaldini (Skiltron and Seraphiel), one bonus track, instrumental versions of entire album and four orchestral tracks of film score quality to immerse the listener in the depths of DARK WATERS.

Dutch vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen is easily one of the hardest working people in music, and an artist that defies being pigeonholed by genre. She will forever be known as the vocalist for melancholic metallers The Gathering, but since striking out on her own in 2007, she has solidified a solo career, recorded and performed multiple times with Canadian metal genius Devin Townsend, and lending her honey-sweet, yet powerful voice to the likes of Anathema, Icelandic folk group Árstíðir, Within Temptation, Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen, Moonspell, John Wetton and Napalm Death. This has provided Anneke with a huge catalogue to choose from as a live performer, but it has also created a certain amount of confusion amongst her fans which has led to the creation of a new group, VUUR, a band that features some of the best heavy metal players in the Netherlands. In 2016, Anneke decided for the sake of clarity to narrow her musical focus, choosing to go in a folk acoustic direction as a solo artist and in a heavy progressive metal direction as a band vocalist. The name VUUR – translated from Dutch as “fire”, which can also be interpreted to mean “passion” or “drive” – was chosen as a moniker to represent Anneke’s metal side, with the idea that when fans buy a ticket with the VUUR name on it they will be getting her heavy progressive music, while an Anneke van Giersbergen show will be entirely different. Having proven her credentials and immense vocal talent for 13 years as front woman of The Gathering, in 2007 Anneke felt it was time to begin her own solo career. Along with her new band Agua de Annique the charismatic singer quickly established herself as a solo artist, releasing several albums to critical and popular acclaim. 2012’s Everything is Changing was something of a milestone in Anneke’s solo career. The album, which was the first to be released under her own name got her nominated for two Edison awards – Holland’s most prestigious music prize – in the categories ‘Best Female Artist’ and ‘Best Album’. Anneke’s latest solo album Drive (2013) was her first release for German label InsideOut Music. Its accompanying tour took Anneke and her band all over the world as she toured over 25 different countries in Europe and the Americas. On March 20 2015, Anneke van Giersbergen and Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) released their collaborative album The Diary under the name The Gentle Storm. VUUR will release their full-length debut in October 2017 on InsideOut Music. From there the band will hit stages across Europe and beyond. Make no mistake: VUUR is a band and not a project, meaning that Anneke will focus on new material as well as the heavier side of her previous outings.