DELAIN releases new single ‘Queen Of Shadow’

DELAIN releases new single 'Queen Of Shadow'

Album 'Dark Waters' out today

10-02-2023

Dutch symphonic metal legends DELAIN released a new single, “Queen Of Shadow”. The song is taken from the band’s upcoming album, “Dark Waters”, which is released today via Napalm Records. The song features a gueat appearance by Paolo Ribaldini.

Watch “Queen Of Shadow” below.

Keyboardist, founder and main songwriter Martijn Westerholt comments on “Queen Of Shadow”: “‘Queen Of Shadow’ is a classic example of pure DELAIN style. Musically, it has some really awesome things going on such as harmonic guitars and catchy melodies which are complemented by both the alluring and powerhouse vocals of Diana and our guest singer Paolo.”

Watch the previously released videos for “Moth To A Flame”, “Beneath” and “The Quest And The Curse” below.

The full track list of ‘Dark Waters‘ was revealed in a video on Instagram by new lead singer Diana Leah and will contain the following songs.
1. Hideaway Paradise
2. The Quest and the Curse
3. Beneath (feat. Paolo Ribaldini)
4. Mirror of Night
5. Tainted Hearts
6. The Cold
7. Moth to a Flame
8. Queen of Shadow (feat. Paolo Ribaldini)
9. Invictus (feat. Marko Hietala)
10. Underland

Watch the announcement of all songs by Diana Leah below.

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Watch the exclusive Q&A Diana gave to Arrow Lords Of Metal below.

Catch DELAIN live on one of the following dates:

Netherlands 14 / 04 / 2023 TILBURG 013
Netherlands 15 / 04 / 2023 HAARLEM Patronaat
United Kingdom 21 / 04 / 2023 MANCHESTER Academy 2
United Kingdom 22 / 04 / 2023 LONDON O2 Islington Academy
Luxembourg 24 / 04 / 2023 LUXEMBOURG Rockhal
France 25 / 04 / 2023 PARIS Le Trabendo
Switzerland 27 / 04 / 2023 ZURICH Komplex 457
Germany 28 / 04 / 2023 MUNICH Backstage Halle
Germany 29 / 04 / 2023 STUTTGART Im Wizemann Club
Germany 30 / 04 / 2023 BERLIN Hole 44
Germany 02 / 05 / 2023 HAMBURG Knust
Germany 03 / 05 / 2023 ESSEN Turock

Along with Westerholt, original guitarist Ronald Landa and original drummer Sander Zoer bolster DELAIN‘s continuity, while new members — Leah and bassist Ludovico Cioffi — continue to evolve their sound. Songs like the previously released single “The Quest And The Curse”, as well as “The Cold” (the latter featuring a real, epic choir),lure with a bombastic sound that skilfully combines orchestral melodies, epic heavy riffs and marvelous vocal performances. DELAIN magnificently manages to never lose touch with their characteristic sound, making them a constant without ever standing still. Pop-induced opening track “Hideaway Paradise” shows exactly that by inducing a dream-like feeling flirting with melodic metal guitars, while the ballad-like dark track “Mirror Of Night”, featuring WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Ruud Jolie, entices the listener with unfathomably catchy lines and melodies. “Queen Of Shadow” merges the orchestral and synth-focused soundscapes DELAIN is known for as it weaves melodic heavy guitars that intertwine with orchestral lines and vocal melodies. “Tainted Hearts” is centred around Westerholt‘s keyboard arrangements, which skilfully showcase the creative roots of the mastermind. “Invictus” is nothing less than the magnum opus of the album — a rock opera in its own right with heavy riffing, choirs and vocal parts performed by Leah, Ribaldini and Marco “Marko” Hietala (ex-NIGHTWISH), ending in a bombastic climax where everything comes together.

Westerholt adds: “This album captures all elements DELAIN is known for — our distinctive heavy guitar riffs, massive orchestral parts, both heavy metal and pop vocals, 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.”

With the addition of Diana Leah, the band now is complet again and consists of:

Martijn Westerholt
Keyboards, Orchestrations, Vocals (backing) (2002-present)
See also: Eye of Melian, ex-Within Temptation

Diana Leah
Vocals (lead) (2022-present)

Ronald Landa
Guitars, Vocals (backing) (2006-2009, 2021-present)
See also: Autumn, ex-Infinite Dawn, ex-Hangover Hero

Ludovico Cioffi
Bass, Vocals (growls, backing) (2022-present)
See also: Carnality, Nightland, Sun of the Suns, The Modern Age Slavery, Neker (live), ex-Ne Obliviscaris (live)

Sander Zoer
Drums (2006-2014, 2021-present)
See also: ex-Antares, ex-Nemesea, ex-Secret Rule, ex-Tragul

Watch the previously made statement from Martijn Westerholt, about his continuing band structure below.

Last year, Delain announced to part ways with all its members, saying in a statement:

“Delain Goes Back to its Roots

For the last year or so, the collaboration within the band ceased to work as well as it once had. Some of us were no longer happy with the current roles in the band. We all tried very hard to find a solution for over a year, but sadly we were unable to find one.

As a result, we will all be going our own ways and pursuing our own endeavors. I am very sad our cooperation has come to end, but at the same time I am very grateful for all the years we were able to work together. Together we toured the world, shared highs and lows, and met with many successes as well as times that pushed us to learn and grow. We all enjoyed meeting our fans and making new friends all over the globe. I would like to thank my fellow bandmates and wish Timo, Otto, Joey, and especially Charlotte the very best for the future. And I hope that will mean onwards and upwards to new musical adventures for each of them!

That being said, Delain will live on. The others have chosen to pursue different paths. I have decided to keep Delain alive by continuing on with writing and producing the music for Delain as I always have. I started Delain as a project in 2002 and for the next album I will take it back to a project form, releasing music with special guests. As it looks now many familiar faces will be returning to join me on this journey.

I can’t express my gratitude enough to all of you Delainers that have supported us over so many years. Your dedication to the music and the community you created for us has been overwhelming. Even though this situation is not ideal, change never usually is at first, I hope you will continue to join Delain on its new journey. This is not the end of Delain. It’s the end of a chapter, but also the beginning of a new one.”

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