Line #195 Music/Delain


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/delainbanddec2018_638.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:L-R: Otto, Merel, Joey, Charlotte, Martijn, Timo]]
3
4	'''Delain''' is a Dutch SymphonicMetal band founded by keyboardist Martijn Westerholt (brother of Robert Westerholt) in 2002, after leaving Music/WithinTemptation the year prior due to Pfeiffer's disease. The band released a demo, ''Amenity'', but Martijn abandoned the project afterwards.
5
6	Three years later, joining forces with singer Charlotte Wessels and signing a contract with Roadrunner Records, Martijn restarted Delain, envisioning it as a musical project featuring various guest musicians from symphonic metal bigwigs Music/{{Epica}}, Music/WithinTemptation, Music/{{Nightwish\|Band}}, and others. This vision came to bear fruit as ''Lucidity'', released in 2006 despite delays. The live band was then formed as Delain accepted offers to tour around the Netherlands and Europe, and has undergone frequent lineup changes since.
7
8	On February 15, 2021, Martijin Westerholt issued [[https://www.loudersound.com/news/delain-splinter-as-four-band-members-depart a statement via the band's Facebook page]], that the other members had decided to leave the group. Westerholt wrote "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." He then said he would be continuing on with Delain as a solo project. Charlotte Wessels [[https://www.metalsucks.net/2021/02/15/charlotte-wessels-issues-statement-on-her-departure-from-delain/ also made a statement]] where she apologized to fans who had been patiently waiting for the band to return to the stage, but "[simply] put, it is the sad conclusion of more than a year of trying to find solutions to built up grievances."
9
10	In 2021, Westerholt announced that Delain would become a band again, and said that former drummer Sander Zoer and former guitarist Ronald Landa would be returning to the band. In 2022, bassist Ludovico Cioffi and vocalist Diana Leah were announced as the remaining members. They released a new studio album ''Dark Waters'' in 2023, and begun touring extensively again across the Europe and North America.
11
12	The band is named after the fictional Kingdom of Delain in Creator/StephenKing's ''Literature/TheEyesOfTheDragon''.
13
14	[[folder:Members and guests]]
15	!!Current lineup
16	* Diana Leah - Vocals (2022-present)
17	* Ronald Landa - guitars, backing vocals, harsh vocals (2006-2009, 2021-present)
18	* Ludovico Cioffi - bass, backing vocals, harsh vocals (2022-present)
19	* [[Music/WithinTemptation Martijn Westerholt]] - keyboards (2002, 2005-present)
20	* Sander Zoer – drums (2006–2014, 2021-present)
21
22	!!Former members
23	* 2002 lineup:
24	** Roy van Enkhuyzen – guitars (2002)
25	** Frank van der Meijden – guitars (2002)
26	** Anne Invernizzi – lead vocals (2002)
27	** Martijn Willemsen – bass (2002)
28	** Tim Kuper – drums (2002)
29	* Rob van der Loo – bass (2006–2010)
30	* Ray van Lente – guitars (2006–2007)
31	* Ewout Pieters – guitars, backing vocals (2009–2010)
32	* Ruben Israel – drums (2014–2017; live 2013)
33	* [[Music/{{Mayan}} Merel Bechtold]] - rhythm guitar (2015-2019)
34	* Charlotte Wessels - lead vocals (2005-2021)
35	* Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije - bass, harsh vocals (2010-2021)
36	* Timo Somers - guitars, backing vocals (2011-2021)
37	* Joey de Boer - drums (2017-2021)
38
39	!! Guest musicians
40	* [[Music/{{Tarot}} Marco]] [[Music/{{Nightwish\|Band}} Hietala]] – bass (2006), co-lead vocals (2006, 2009, 2014)
41	* [[Music/{{Epica}} Ad Sluijter]] – guitars (2006)
42	* Guus Eikens – guitars, backing vocals (2006, 2009, 2012, 2014)
43	* Ariën van Weesenbeek – drums (2006)
44	* Rosan van der Aa – backing vocals (2006)
45	* Jan "Örkki" Yrlund – guitars (2006)
46	* [[Music/WIthinTemptation Sharon den Adel]] - co-lead vocals (2006)
47	* [[Music/LeavesEyes Liv]] [[Music/{{Midnattsol}} Kristine]] - co-lead vocals (2006)
48	* George Oosthoek - co-lead vocals (2006, 2009, 2012, 2014)
49	* Music/AlissaWhiteGluz - co-lead vocals (2014, 2016)
50	* [[Music/FearFactory Burton C. Bell]] - co-lead vocals (2012)
51	[[/folder]]
52
53	[[folder:Discography]]
54	* ''Amenity'' (2002, demo)
55	* ''Lucidity'' (2006)
56	* ''April Rain'' (2009)
57	* ''We Are The Others'' (2012)
58	** ''Interlude'' (2013, compilation)
59	* ''The Human Contradiction'' (2014)
60	* The ''Moonbathers'' trilogy
61	** ''Lunar Prelude'' (2016, EP)
62	** ''Moonbathers'' (2016)
63	** ''Hunter's Moon'' (2019, EP[=/=]compilation)
64	* ''Apocalypse & Chill'' (2020)
65	* ''Dark Waters'' (2023)
66	[[/folder]]
67	----
68	!The Glory and the Tropes:
69	* TheAntiNihilist:
70	** In "The Tragedy Of The Commons" and "Danse Macabre", the narrator talks about the futility of their efforts and the inevitability of death but decides to live and fight.
71	** In "Masters of Destiny", the narrator suspects that [[YouCantFightFate the higher forces are playing her]], then [[ScrewDestiny decides to make her own choices anyway]].
72	** "To Live Is To Die" says life is short, urges the listener to be kind and asks, "Tell me how you'll fill the void / Screaming sorrow or screaming joy?"
73	* ArcSymbol: The [[AnimalMotif hummingbird]] that first appears on ''We Are the Others'' makes appearances on ''Interlude'', Lunar Prelude, ''Moonbathers'', and ''Apocalypse & Chill''.
74	* BookEnds: "Are You Done With Me?" begins and ends with the same line: "This city drinks and roars."
75	* BreakUpSong:
76	%%** "Virtue and Vice," "Milk and Honey", "Where Is the Blood?".
77	** "Lullaby" can be read as one of those, with a sinking ship[[note]] No, not [[{{Shipping}} this one]] [[/note]] as a metaphor for ending relationship.
78	** "Are You Done With Me?" is a variation, with the singer asking an increasingly distant partner to make a decision about whether or not to end the relationship.
79	* CentralTheme: Death for ''Moonbathers'', though Charlotte says it was inadvertent: she didn't realize how many songs about death she'd written until she was halfway finished.
80	* CoverVersion: ''Moonbathers'' features a cover of "Scandal" by Music/{{Queen}}.
81	* CreepyChild: The little [[spoiler:ghost]] [[http://cdn.zapkolik.com/resimler/delain-frozen-391410.jpg boy]] in the music video for "Frozen."
82	* DeerInTheHeadlights: In "Masters Of Destiny," the narrator is frozen in fear as she thinks [[YouCantFightFate she can’t fight fate]].
83	-->And like a deer, still I stood on the road\
84	As headlights approach
85	* DeterminedDefeatist: "The Tragedy Of The Commons."
86	-->I raise my glass\
87	To another investment\
88	Into the future of wasteland\
89	Well here's to pulling the waistband\
90	\
91	But I know at least I thought, at least I fight\
92	At least I know at least I tried\
93	I know I thought, I know I’ll fight\
94	Tonight I kiss the world goodbye
95	%%* DesignStudentsOrgasm: The ''Hunter's Moon'' cover.
96	* DestructiveRomance: Oh boy, is it ever - whoever the protagonist of the various relationship-related songs is, you do ''not'' want to get on her bad side. Special mention goes to "No Compliance", "Milk [[WomanScorned and]] [[BreakUpSong Honey]]," "[[{{Yandere}} I]] [[LoveHungry Want]] [[IfICantHaveYou You]]," and "[[SlapSlapKiss Hit Me]] [[LoveMartyr With Your Best Shot]]."
97	* DissonantSerenity: The album cover for ''Apocalypse & Chill'' features a woman on a beach chair looking indifferently through her glasses [[https://img.discogs.com/9TI3u-IGbFJHm3n4m6SmdeTF3UE=/fit-in/600x537/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-14717994-1581097045-9641.jpeg.jpg while her surroundings are on fire]]. If you look at the album's title, it's the Apocalypse, and she's chilling out.
98	* DramaticThunder: During the bridge of "Lullaby," thunder is paired with Charlotte's OneWomanWail.
99	* DueToTheDead: The name and title track of the group's third album ''We Are The Others'' was dedicated to the memory of Sophie Lancaster.
100	* ExactWords: Hinted in "Danse Macabre"
101	-->I said I'd walk the mile, [[LoopholeAbuse not that I'd walk in line]]
102	%%* FollowYourHeart: "April Rain."
103	* GiveMeAReason: Inverted in "Vengeance," where this phase is used to offer a LastSecondChance to a [[WeUsedToBeFriends former loved one]].
104	* GreenEyedMonster: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Invidia"]] goes right into IJustWantToBeYou territory.
105	* HarshVocals: Used occasionally.
106	** "Hands of Gold" has Music/AlissaWhiteGluz growling the bridge.
107	** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpJ1ma3I0Ag "Burning Bridges"]] includes a Music/{{Epica}}-esque roared line at the start of the bridge.
108	* HeavyMithril:
109	** "The Gathering" is about, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin well]], TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering.
110	** [[WordOfGod Charlotte has stated point-blank]] that "Turn the Lights Out" is about [[ComicBook/TheSandman Death of the Endless]].
111	* HollywoodThin[=/=]HollywoodPudgy: Both "Your Body Is a Battleground" and "Army of Dolls" ridicule this concept.
112	* HugeGuyTinyGirl: As per the page image, EVERYONE to Merel.
113	%%* HumansAreBastards: A recurring theme on ''The Human Contradiction'', especially on "Stardust" and "Tell Me, Mechanist". "The Tragedy of the Commons" has this vibe as well, as does "The Glory and the Scum".
114	* IfICantHaveYou: "I Want You" starts out seeming like a typical unrequited-love song; it gradually becomes clear the narrator is a StalkerWithACrush and in the end, implies that [[{{Yandere}} she murders her LoveInterest for rejecting her]].
115	-->She'll never send you thrills\
116	If I can't have you no one will
117	* IfItBleedsItLeads: Mentioned in "The Glory and the Scum".
118	-->We all live in unforgiving precarious ways\
119	If it bleeds it leads\
120	Is all we seem to hear today
121	* IJustWantToBeYou: [[GreenEyedMonster "Invidia"]] states it bluntly:
122	-->I don't wanna be like you\
123	I want to be you
124	* {{Instrumentals}}: "Combustion".
125	* LeaveMeAlone: "Generation Me":
126	-->I don't need anyone or anything\
127	I'll make it alone\
128	Can't you see it's generation me\
129	We don't need anyone or anything\
130	Just leave me alone
131	* LighterAndSofter: The [[ChangedForTheVideo video]] and ballad versions of "We Are The Others" compared to the album version.
132	* LoveAtFirstSight: "One Second" says, "It takes a second just to fall in love."
133	%%* MoodWhiplash: The first minute of "Masters of Destiny" is this '''IN SPADES'''.
134	* NonAppearingTitle: "Frozen", "Sleepwalkers Dream", "Pristine", "Invidia", "Virtue And Vice", "Mother Machine", "Electricity", "Milk And Honey", "The Tragedy Of The Commons", "Danse Macabre".
135	* OminousLatinChanting: "Legions of the Lost" starts with this.
136	-->Temet Nosce\
137	Acta Non Verba\
138	Temet Nosce\
139	Dum Spiro Spero\
140	Omnium rerum principia parva sunt
141	* OneWomanWail:
142	** During the bridge of "Lullaby," Charlotte's otherworldly wail is paired with DramaticThunder.
143	** Charlotte lets out an incredibly '''epic''' one on "Masters of Destiny".
144	** Diana provides one on "The Quest and the Curse".
145	* PrecisionFStrike:
146	** "Generation Me":
147	--->All I know is my face looks fucking right\
148	From this certain angle certain light
149	** "Sing to Me":
150	--->You might want to confess\
151	That we have made\
152	A fucked-up place\
153	That I can not erase
154	* ProtestSong: "Your Body Is a Battleground" does ''not think highly'' of the medical-industrial complex.
155	* RevolvingDoorBand: There have been multiple lineup changes since the band's revival in 2005:
156	** For vocals, Charlotte Wessels (2005-2021) was replaced by Diana Leah (2022-present).
157	** For bass, Rob van der Loo (2006–2010) was replaced by Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (2010-2021), who was then replaced with Ludovico Cioffi (2022-present).
158	** For guitars, Guus Eikens (2006–2007 session, 2008-2009, 2011-2012) took a backseat role and helps with songwriting. Ray van Lente (2006–2007) left for unknown reasons. Ronald Landa (2006–2009) left to focus on other things and was replaced with Ewout Pieters (2009–2010) who was then replaced by Timo Somers (2011-2021). They also added Merel Bechtold (2015 - 2019) as rhythm guitarist which meant that Timo could become the lead guitarist. Merel left in 2019, once again leaving Timo as the band's only guitarist until his departure. Ronald returned to the band in 2021.
159	** And for drums, Sander Zoer (2006–2014) left and was replaced with Ruben Israel (2014-2017), who was then replaced by Joey de Boer (2017-2021). Sander returned to the band in 2021.
160	* SpotlightStealingSquad: Everyone other than Martijn, considering it is his band.
161	* {{Scatting}}[=/=]SingleStanzaSong: "The Monarch", where the tune is hummed for the majority of the song, save for a brief pause in the music 2:20 in
162	-->I looked at the stripes\
163	The monarch flies\
164	I halt my cries\
165	If my friend\
166	If you can change\
167	[[RayOfHopeEnding Perhaps then so can I]]
168	* ScrewDestiny: "Masters of Destiny".
169	-->I am the dreamer\
170	I roll the dice and I align\
171	My hands aren't tied\
172	We are the dreamers\
173	We rather die so we're alive\
174	We'll always be\
175	Masters of destiny
176	* SelfBackingVocalist: Charlotte on most of ''April Rain'', ''Hunter's Moon'', and ''Apocalypse & Chill''. Diana has carried on with this on ''Dark Waters''.
177	* SelfDeprecation: These lyrics from "Here Come the Vultures", which are strange to think about since when the album was released Charlotte was in her mid-20s and she is (to this day) quite pretty:
178	-->They said you cannot sing the blues\
179	When you're pretty and young\
180	Let me show you a face that fits to neither one
181	* SocialMediaIsBad: "Generation Me" depicts an obsession with social media, targeting Website/{{Twitter}} and Instagram in particular.
182	* SopranoAndGravel:
183	** Charlotte played this straight, dueting with:
184	*** George Oosthoek ("Lucidity", "Tell Me, Mechanist")
185	*** Marco Hietala ("No Compliance", "April Rain", "The Human Contradiction")
186	*** Ronald Landa ("Virtue and Vice")
187	*** Burton Bell ("Where Is the Blood?")
188	*** Alissa White-Gluz ("The Tragedy of the Commons", "Hands of Gold")
189	*** Twan Driessen ("Art Kills")
190	*** Yannis Papadopoulos ("Vengeance")
191	*** Otto van der Oije (during live performances as well as in "Burning Bridges")
192	*** Timo Somers (refer to StepUpToTheMicrophone)
193	** Charlotte also provided her own gravel on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5NcmAFdv9U occasion]].
194	** In the current lineup, Diana Leah plays this straight with Ronald Landa and Ludovico Cioffi.
195	* StartMyOwn: Martijn formed the band a year after he left Music/WithinTemptation, however, his decision for leaving had nothing to do with creative differences but with health issues, and he had been writing songs for those four years mainly by himself.
196	* StepUpToTheMicrophone:
197	** On ''April Rain'', then-guitarist Ronald Landa contributes HarshVocals on "Virtue and Vice" and clean vocals on "Invidia".
198	** Timo Somers started taking on more prominent backing vocals, both clean and harsh, from ''Moonbathers'' onwards. He shared lead vocals with Charlotte on ''Apocalypse & Chill'''s "One Second".
199	* SymphonicMetal: The band wanders between GothicMetal, PowerMetal, and occasionally ProgressiveMetal but is centered here. They're usually more on the synth end of the symphonic metal spectrum with the focus on the guitars rather than the keyboard backing, but songs like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpJ1ma3I0Ag "Burning Bridges"]] would not be out of place on an Music/{{Epica}} or Music/{{Nightwish\|Band}} album.
200	* TruckDriversGearChange: "The Greatest Escape", where the song shifts from A minor to D♯ minor before the second chorus. In a twist on the usual use of the trope Charlotte's vocals shifts to a lower range when this change occurs.
201	* TwoGirlsToATeam: It was this when Merel was a member from 2015 to 2019.
202	* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Most noticeable when you see Merel (tomboy) and Charlotte (girly girl) near each other [[http://www.tpimagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Delain_pushingpixels.de-photo.jpg onstage]].
203	* WeAllDieSomeday:
204	** "Danse Macabre" uses a variation:
205	--->Let the earth cover me\
206	Angels will call for me\
207	But in time\
208	Not tonight
209	** "To Live Is To Die."
210	--->Life will pass / Like a flash
211	* WeUsedToBeFriends: "Burning Bridges" and "Vengeance" are about former friends or lovers turning on each other.
212	* {{Yandere}}:
213	** "I Want You" might sound like one of the usual SillyLoveSongs at first, [[AntiLoveSong but as it goes on...]]
214	--->No one could see it coming\
215	A tragic day\
216	[[WhamLine How did that car get in your way?]]...
217	** "Chrysalis - The Last Breath" starts nice and comforting to end like this:
218	--->Don't deny me!\
219	Do you want to try me?\
220	I know exactly what you need\
221	You're nothing without me
222	* YouAreNotAlone: "We Are the Others", title track of the group's third album. [[WordOfGod According to an interview with Charlotte]], after drawing inspiration from the case of Sophie Lancaster (a young British woman attacked and killed in a violent hate crime for expressing her gothic fashion), Charlotte said she wanted ''"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"''.
223	-->We are the others\
224	We are the castouts\
225	We're the outsiders, but you can't hide us\
226	We are the others, we are the castouts\
227	You're not out there on your own\
228	If you feel mistreated, torn and cheated\
229	You are not alone

Context Music / Delain