(Photo credit: Blackbriar)
"A Symphonic Tragedy" is the third song & single of DIANNE’s waterfall release album "Soulward Bound". It is co-written & produced by Joost van den Broek (Powerwolf, Epica, Blind Guardian) and features multiple well-known musicians from the metal genre: Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) on solo guitar, Ferry Duijsens (Ayreon, VUUR) on rhythm guitar, Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation) on bass guitar and Sander Zoer (Delain, LEAH) on drums.
“A Symphonic Tragedy” is an epic power ballad in which DIANNE brings an ode to her voice. Through the lyrics, she is opening up about the life-saving abdominal surgery that she endured five years ago, that wasn’t without risk: “while this surgery saved me, I could have lost the one thing that has been my lifelong companion, my refuge, and my loved one: my voice.”
The song is set in the perfect vacuum, devoid of time, of being under anesthesia. A vacuum where the past is just a framed picture and the future, and all its complications, has not arrived yet. In the lyrics DIANNE is pleading with her voice to stay with her, to not let go but embrace the climb.
“The operation took place more than 5 years ago and, as you might have noticed, my voice did not leave me; it survived without a scratch. Today, I have managed to leave all the possible tragic scenarios behind me and a profound sense of strength has ignited in me”, says DIANNE.
“I am here to sing ‘A Symphonic Tragedy’ for you. It tells my tale. But I hope that if you, or a loved one is battling with their health, it will bring you comfort and motivate you and them, to always embrace the climb."
In “A Symphonic Tragedy” DIANNE takes the spotlight with her characteristic, classically trained voice and performs a dramatic balled like no other. Fans of Xandria will recognize her lyrical way of singing, fans of Ex Libris will recognize her deep, meaningful way of storytelling. It is all coming together in this song and its cinematic music video by Blackbriar.
Fans who enjoy bands like Nightwish, Epica, Powerwolf and other similar bands from the symphonic metal genre, will definitely want to hear DIANNE’s music.
“A Symphonic Tragedy” is released on March 14th, 2024.
“SOULWARD BOUND” – THE ALBUM
RELEASED THROUGH A WATERFALL STRATEGY
On the 13th of September 2022, exactly 5 years after her departure from Xandria, Dianne van Giersbergen announced her return into symphonic metal through the creation of her own solo album: “Soulward Bound”. An album under her own name “DIANNE”.
Her album title "Soulward Bound" embodies the drive and devotion that guided Dianne on her journey towards finding herself again. To have the album mirror her journey, “Soulward Bound” will be released through a waterfall release strategy: spread out over 5 years, with 2 singles each year. All songs on the album will be co-written and produced by Joost van den Broek and feature many different guest musicians from the genre.
All songs released/announced so far are:
1. "After the Storm". Released February 14, 2023.
Featuring: Isaac Delahaye (Epica) on guitar, Johan van Stratum (Blind Guardian, Stream of Passion, VUUR) on bass guitar, Koen Herfst (Van den Berg, Armin van Buuren) on drums.
“AFTER THE STORM” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/PaYRvjoeNyg?si=rXxGZTM02QjufewZ
2. "Unleash the Siren". Released September 22nd, 2023.
Featuring: Timo Somers (Delain, Charlotte Wessels) on guitar, Luuk van Gerven (After Forever, Ex Libris) on bass guitar, Roel van Helden (Powerwolf) on drums.
“UNLEASH THE SIREN” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/SGI-f90QbDs?si=IBKNvHUUBQgOGSmg
3. "A Symphonic Tragedy". Released March 14th, 2024.
Featuring: Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) on solo guitar, Ferry Duijsens (VUUR, Dear Mother) on rhythm guitar, Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation) on bass guitar, Sander Zoer (Delain, LEAH) on drums.
“A SYMPHONIC TRAGEDY” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://youtu.be/nu4GpQBCA5I
SOULWARD BOUND – THE UPCOMING ALBUM
On the 13th of September 2022, exactly 5 years after her departure from Xandria, Dianne van Giersbergen announced her return into symphonic metal through the creation of her own solo album: “Soulward Bound”. An album under her own name “DIANNE”.
Her album title "Soulward Bound" embodies the drive and devotion that guided Dianne on her journey towards finding herself again. To have the album mirror her journey, “Soulward Bound” will be released in a new and unconventional way: spread out over 5 years, with 2 singles each year. All songs on the album will be co-written and produced by Joost van den Broek and feature many, different guest musicians from the genre.
The first single to “Soulward Bound”, titled “After the Storm”, was released on February 14th 2023. The second single “Unleash the Siren” on September 22nd 2023.
BIO/DISCOGRAPHY
Dianne van Giersbergen (1985) is a Dutch dramatic soprano, who is best known as the former lead vocalist of German symphonic metal band Xandria. With whom she toured the world and released 2 albums and 1 EP: “Sacrificium” (2014), “Fire & Ashes” (2015) and “Theater of Dimensions” (2017), all through Napalm Records.
You might also know Dianne as founding member and frontwoman to progressive metal band ‘Ex Libris’ and heard her voice on Powerwolf's "The Sacrament of Sin" (2018), Ayreon's "Transitus" (2020) and/or Amorphis' "Halo" (2022).
Dianne received her first singing lesson at the age of 4. In 2005 she started her bachelor studies in classical music & opera at the 'ArtEZ Academy of Music' conservatory. She graduated with distinction in 2009 (bachelor) and in 2012 (master).
Currently, Dianne is focused on the launch of her solo career in symphonic metal. After the overwhelming response to her first single “After the Storm”, her second single “Unleash the Siren” is the eagerly awaited follow up. Both songs will feature on her debut album “Soulward Bound”. "Soulward Bound" will be produced by heavyweight symphonic metal producer Joost van den Broek, and feature many well-known guest musicians from the genre.
CREDITS – VIDEO
Music video by 'Blackbriar' – https://www.blackbriarmusic.com/
Blue dress by 'The Tailor Witch' – https://www.instagram.com/thetailorwitch/
Jewelry by 'Precious Metal Jewelry' – https://www.preciousmetaljewelry.com/
CREDITS – AUDIO
Produced, orchestrated and co-written by Joost van den Broek -
https://joostvandenbroek.com/
Featuring...
Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) on solo guitar,
Ferry Duijsens (VUUR, Dear Mother) on rhythm guitar,
Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation) on bass guitar,
Sander Zoer (Delain, LEAH) on drums.
follow DIANNE online:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Patreon