DELAIN enters a new chapter with an extraordinary cast and release “We Are Fire”

features vocals of Fabienne Erni, Paolo Ribaldini and Noa Gruman

20-10-2026

DELAIN announces an exciting new creative transformation with an extraordinary cast of musicians and vocalists joining its new setup. One that opens its musical world to different voices, personalities and musical perspectives. Joining this new chapter are well-known musicians such as Marko Hietala, Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie), Anneke van Giersbergen, and more. The full list can be reviewed below.

These artists will contribute their own artistic identity, with several of them also joining DELAIN on stage. The first glimpse of this new era arrives today with the release of the first single “We Are Fire”, featuring Fabienne Erni, Noa Gruman and Paolo Ribaldini. At the same time, this marks the farewell of vocalist Diana Leah, who has decided to step away from DELAIN after many years with the band. While her departure naturally brings a sense of sadness, the band looks back with great gratitude on everything they have shared together.

At the heart of DELAIN is its founder, songwriter and keyboardist Martijn Westerholt. Alongside him, Ludovico Cioffi, Ronald Landa and Sander Zoer form the core of the project.

Martijn Westerholt adds:

“‘We Are Fire’ is about the inner fire that keeps us moving forward, even when the path ahead is uncertain. It’s about daring to cross boundaries, and refusing to give up on what we believe in. To me, it captures the spirit of what DELAIN is becoming. A place where different voices and personalities can come together, each bringing something unique, while sharing the same fire.”

Over the past months, DELAIN has been reflecting on its future and ultimately chose to embrace a new and exciting creative direction, bringing together a wide range of artists and musical perspectives. Rather than looking for a direct replacement for Diana, DELAIN has chosen to embrace collaboration on a much broader scale. Different voices, personalities and musical perspectives can now come together around the band, allowing each song and performance to take on its own character. Joining this new chapter are:

Marko Hietala*
Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation)
Anneke van Giersbergen
Fabienne Erni* (Eluveitie)
Patty Gurdy
Noa Gruman* (Sabaton’s legendary Orchestra)
Paolo Ribaldini*
Johanna Kurkela (Auri, Eye of Melian)
Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation)
*Artists will also join Delain live on their February 2027 tour
Stay tuned for more news coming soon!

Yesterday, DELAIN have parted ways with lead singer Diana “Leah” Orga. The Rumanian born and in Italy residing singer joined the band in 2022 and recorded one full-langth 2023 album ‘Dark Waters’.

Says DELAIN:

“Diana has decided to step away from Delain after many years with the band to pursue other things in life.

While her departure naturally brings a sense of sadness, we look back with great gratitude on everything they have shared together.

We fully respect Diana’s decision and wishe her all the best in this new chapter of her life.

She will always have a place in the Delain family, and the door will always be open to her.

We have been reflecting on our future and ultimately chose to embrace a new and exciting creative direction, bringing together a wide range of artists and musical perspectives.

At the heart of Delain remains our founder and songwriter, Martijn Westerholt.

Alongside him, Ludovico Cioffi, Ronald Landa and Sander Zoer form Delain’s core.

Rather than looking for a direct replacement for Diana, we have chosen to embrace collaboration on a much broader scale.

Different voices, personalities and musical perspectives can now come together around the band, allowing each song and performance to take on its own character.

For the upcoming album, each artist contributes their own voice, personality and musical identity, creating a record that remains unmistakably Delain while opening the door to an entirely new range of musical possibilities.

The concept extends beyond the album.

Many of the artists will also join Delain live, creating a dynamic musical collective that can take different forms from song to song and from show to show.

The timing could hardly be more fitting.

Twenty years after the debut, we are carrying forward the collaborative spirit of the beginnings while taking the idea further than ever before.

The very first album Lucidity introduced a creative formula built around bringing together different artists and musical worlds.

Now, two decades later, that spirit returns in a completely new form.

Among the artists joining Delain for the new album are two musicians who were already part of that first chapter:

Marko Hietala and Sharon den Adel.

“Delain has always been about bringing different musical worlds together. Twenty years ago, Lucidity started with that idea.

Now, twenty years later, we are taking it further than ever before.”

– 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑗𝑛

𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲.

𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀.

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲:

𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗡

First single out on October 20, 2026, via Napalm Records

Celebrating 20 years since the release of “Lucidity”, DELAIN previously announced ten extraordinary live shows in February 2027. For this special tour, DELAIN will present a special format featuring a unique selection of high-profile guest musicians and vocalists, offering a memorable and varied live experience.

Among these special guests is former NIGHTWISH bassist/vocalist Marko Hietala, whose long-standing connection with DELAIN mastermind Martijn Westerholt has resulted in some of DELAIN‘s most iconic collaborations. His appearance on this tour marks a powerful reunion and a highlight for fans. Additional guest performers will be announced at a later stage.

With this exceptional run of shows, DELAIN invites audiences to experience its music in a new and exciting way — celebrating both its legacy and its future.

DELAIN featuring Marko Hietala 2027 tour dates with special guest INFECTED RAIN:

Feb. 02 – DE – Cologne @ Live Music Hall
Feb. 03 – DE – Bremen @ Modernes
Feb. 04 – DE – Berlin @ Columbia Theater
Feb. 05 – DE – Leipzig @ Hellraiser
Feb. 06 – DE – Karlsruhe @ Substage
Feb. 07 – CH – Pratteln @ Z7
Feb. 08 – DE – Munich @ Backstage
Feb. 09 – DE – Frankfurt @ Batschkapp
Feb. 10 – LU – Esch-sur-Alzette @ Rockhal
Feb. 11 – NL – Tilburg @ O13

In November 2024, DELAIN released their very extensively filled EP ‘Dance With The Devil’ under longtime label Napalm Records. The EP followed the release of their full length album ‘Dark Waters’, from 2023. The album marked the triumphant return of the band around mastermind Martijn Westerholt, after revamping his band’s entire line-up. The song, titled “The Reaping”, cut from the new offering was released.

Watch “The Reaping” below.

Martijn Westerholt on “The Reaping”:
“’The Reaping’ is a very expressive song with a serious subject – where the world/society is heading and metaphorical storms on the horizon. Musically the song can be recognized as a typical DELAIN song filled with heavy guitars, but also with the very recognizable 80’s synth elements DELAIN is known for”.

Watch the previously released live version of “Moth to a Flame” and “Dance With The Devil” below.

Martijn Westerholt said about ‘Dance With The Devil : “We’re thrilled to have brand new material ready to be released! In addition to the new songs, it was fantastic to have captured some magical live moments of our European tour earlier this year as live tracks for the EP. We’re definitely very excited for this release and are really looking forward to bringing the new music to the stage!”

“Dance With The Devil” track listing:
01. Dance With The Devil
02. The Reaping
03. Sleepwalkers Dream(2024 version)
04. The Cold (live)
05. Burning Bridges (live)
06. The Quest And The Curse (live)
07. April Rain (live)
08. Invidia (live)
09. Queen Of Shadow (live featuring Paolo Ribaldini)
10. Your Body Is A Battleground (live featuring Paolo Ribaldini)
11. Moth To A Flame (live)
12. Control The Storm (live featuring Paolo Ribaldini)
13. Dance With The Devil (instrumental)
14. The Reaping (instrumental)
15. Underland (alternate ending version)

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