DELAIN vocalist Diana Leah has announced her departure from the band, having recorded only one studio album with them, 2023’s “Dark Waters”, released in February of that year through Napalm Records.
On October 19, DELAIN released the following message via social media: “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 wish 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: [former NIGHTWISH bassist/vocalist] Marko Hietala and [WITHIN TEMPTATION singer] Sharon Den Adel.”
Martijn Westerholt commented: “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.”
Leah said in a separate statement: I’m thankful for the experiences and memories I’ve made during my time with DELAIN, and to everyone who has supported me throughout these years. I’m now fully dedicated to DYYA, with my new single ‘Too Tired To Be Dead’ already out and my debut EP ‘Welcome To Nowhere’ coming very soon. I’m looking forward to what comes next, and I hope you’ll continue to be part of it.”
In March, Leah unveiled the official music video for “Holy Water”, the debut single from her new solo project, DYYA. She has since released three additional singles under the DYYA name: “Eternal Trophies”, “Black Honey” and the latest track, “Too Tired To Be Dead”.
Diana Leah joined DELAIN in 2022, taking over vocal duties from longtime frontwoman Charlotte Wessels.
