DIANNE - neue Single "Phantom Of War" ft. Francesco Paoli

Verfasst von Mike Langer am 25. Oktober 2025.

"Phantom of War" is the sixth song & single from Dianne van Giersbergen’s waterfall release album "Soulward Bound", which she will release under her own name “DIANNE”.

All songs on this album are co-written & produced by Joost van den Broek (Powerwolf, Epica, ao). Each song features a different band, made up of well-known international musicians from the metal genre. “Phantom of War” features:

"It is a song about survival, bravery and standing up for yourself:
‘Your fight, not my fall’! A real-life story from my more recent past,
that I turned into a powerful anthem."

Soaring operatic vocals by Dianne van Giersbergen represent innocence, while fierce growls by Francesco Paoli (Fleshgod Apocalypse) embody chaos. With genre-classic staccato choirs and the defiant lyric line “Your fight, not my fall,” the song declares strength and freedom.

"The artwork and music video both strikingly capture the moment I pick up
the axe - still reeling from the realisation of what I’ve been pulled into -
and prepare to strike the first blow in self-defence."

Fans who enjoy bands like Nightwish, Xandria, Epica, Powerwolf and other similar bands from the symphonic metal genre will definitely want to hear DIANNE’s music.

“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

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

3. "A Symphonic Tragedy". Released on 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu4GpQBCA5I

4. "Flameborn". Released on October 17th, 2024.
Featuring: Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion,, Ayreon) in duet with DIANNE. Christian Hersmdörfer (Beyond the Black, Serenity) on guitar, Steven Wussow (Orden Ogan, ex Xandria) on bass guitar, Ariën van Weesenbeek (Epica, Mayan) on drums.
“FLAMEBORN” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://youtu.be/IdjG-1ONQLE

5. "The Elders’ Call". Released on April 17th, 2025.
Featuring: Patty Gurdy on Hurdy Gurdy, Jeroen Goossens (Ayreon) on Flutes & Whistles, Morten Veland ( Mortemia, Sirenia) on Guitars, Rowan Roodbaert (Heidevolk) on Bass, René Patrick Boxem (Blackbriar) on Drums
“THE ELDERS’ CALL” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://youtu.be/X8O9IbmMvc0

6. "Phantom of War". Released on October 24th, 2025.
Featuring: Francesco Paoli (Fleshgod Apocalypse) on growls, Jord Otto (Revamp | VUUR | Dark horse white horse) on guitars, Siebe Sol Sijpkens (Blackbriar | David Maxim Mimic) on bass, Ivo Maarhuis (Floor Jansen | For I am King | Izegrim) on drums
“PHANTOM OF WAR” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeKeFagfWB0

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 her solo career in symphonic metal with her debut album “Soulward Bound”. The album will be produced by heavyweight symphonic metal producer Joost van den Broek and feature many well-known guest musicians from the genre.

LINKS & CREDITS

“PHANTOM OF WAR” Official Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeKeFagfWB0

VIDEO
Music video by Cinebuds - https://cinebuds.nl/
Precious Metal Jewelry - https://www.preciousmetaljewelry.com/

AUDIO
Produced, orchestrated and co-written by Joost van den Broek -
https://joostvandenbroek.com/

ARTWORK
Painted by Teresa Ramos - https://www.artstation.com/teradiam

DIANNE online:
https://diannevangiersbergen.com

Quelle: Head Of PR