Sharon Den Adel

Sharon Janny den Adel (born 12 July 1974, in Waddinxveen, South Holland) is a Dutch soprano/mezzo-soprano, and composer, best known as the lead singer and one of the main songwriters in the Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation. She performed with various bands since she was 13, including a blues rock band called Kashiro before joining Robert Westerholt in Within Temptation in 1996.

Within Temptation

Together with her partner Robert Westerholt, Sharon den Adel is one of the founding members of the Dutch band Within Temptation. She has defined their work as epic, and cinematic. Her vocals play a major role in the band's sound despite never having had vocal training.

Before becoming a full-time musician, Sharon worked for a fashion company. After the company's bankruptcy, Sharon had to choose whether to stay in fashion or try something else. Meanwhile Within Temptation became famous for the single Ice Queen and Sharon decided to stick with music. She still designs Within Temptation's merchandising and costumes.

Other bands

Sharon Den Adel has performed on-stage and in the studio with several notable bands, including Aemen, After Forever, De Heideroosjes, and Delain. She sang the part of Anna Held in Tobias Sammet's Avantasia projects, and the part of the Indian on Ayreon's rock opera Into the Electric Castle. She sang the vocals of one Timo Tolkki song, "Are You The One?", co-wrote and provided the vocals for the track "In And Out Of Love" from Armin van Buuren's 2008 album Imagine, and sang on the track "No Compliance" for Delain's album Lucidity, as well as working with the band Voyage on the track "Frozen" (not to be confused with the Within Temptation song of the same title).