Former Delain singer Charlotte Wessels has announced that she will launch a solo career, thanking fans for their continued support and wishing all her former bandmates the best.
The news follows this morning’s report that four of Delain’s five members left the band, leaving keyboardist and co-founder Martijn Westerholt to continue Delain as a solo outfit with guest collaborators.
Westerholt cited creative and working relationship differences as the cause for the mass exodus, saying, “some of us were no longer happy with the current roles in the band,” and adding that they all tried unsuccessfully to work things out over the past year.
Wessels echoed those sentiments in her own statement, referencing “built up grievances” within the band’s ranks and acknowledging that “it may be painful at first to see a Delain that I’m not a part of” while wishing Westerholt continued success.
Similar to Westerholt, Wessels did not go into any detail regarding the differences that resulted in the band’s split.
Her full statement reads as follows:
“Delain has been my world for nearing 16 years, which is half of my life and my entire career. So it is with a heavy heart that I am confirming that Delain will continue as Martijn’s solo project, and my involvement with Delain ends here.
“At this time, I know that you might have questions about the ‘why’ in all of this. I fully understand and respect that. Simply put, it is the sad conclusion of more than a year of trying to find solutions to built up grievances. Part of me feels like I’m letting all of you down, I’d like you to know that this decision was not taken lightly and I apologise to those of you who had high hopes of seeing all of us together live on stage again after lockdown. Until recently, I thought this might still be in the cards for us as well.
“In the last 15 years we have released music that we have poured our heart and soul into. We have toured the world, rocked so many stages and met so many wonderful fans; I cherish all of that beyond measure. Every eye locked during a lyric, every front row high five, every after show hug (remember hugs?) From the sweaty hole in the wall to the Wembleys, Wackens, and Paradisos of our career. The memories we — band, crew, fans — have made together, will last forever. And in the end, they are more important to me than the differences that we couldn’t overcome, so that’s where I’d like the focus of the narrative to be.
“So where do we go from here? Otto, Timo and Joey are also leaving Delain, but will carry on making music with their own projects. Make sure you’re following what they’re up to. I can’t wait to see and hear how they will take the world by storm. Martijn will continue with Delain, and although it may be painful at first to see a Delain that I’m not a part of, I do wish him the very best in this new chapter. Like any relationship, our creative partnership has required work at times, but it has also been incredibly fruitful and I am grateful for all the things that we made together. Finally, I hope that DELAIN remains a positive force in everyone’s lives. We Are The Others, always will be, and none of this changes that.
“As for myself, I’ll keep writing and performing music. It is the thing that gives me joy and purpose.
“I’m beyond grateful for my amazing community on Patreon, something that was supposed to be a side project from Delain, but will now be the primary place that I release music and create art and community. This platform allows me to keep creating independently and I am thankful for all patrons that make this possible. I am dedicated to bring you my absolute best, and look forward to making magic with all of you.
“I welcome the future with open arms, and I hope to see you on my journey.”
Wessels launched a Patreon for herself at the start of pandemic and currently has 771 supporters.
Delain were one of the many bands to fire booking agent John Finberg last September following allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying brought to light in an extensive MetalSucks report.
Delain’s most recent album, Apocalypse & Chill, came out last year.