Sharon den Adel Announces Retirement from Within Temptation: “It’s Time for Me to Let Go”
By Evelien Vos | June 7, 2025
Amsterdam, Netherlands — In a moment that has sent shockwaves across the symphonic metal world, Sharon den Adel, the iconic vocalist and co-founder of Within Temptation, has officially announced that she is stepping down from the band after nearly three decades at the helm.
The announcement came via an emotional video message posted to the band’s official social media channels on Saturday morning. In the 12-minute clip, Den Adel—visibly holding back tears—spoke candidly to fans, expressing her gratitude, her exhaustion, and her decision to “step into a new chapter of life.”
“This has been the hardest decision of my life,” she said. “But after 28 years, countless tours, and unforgettable moments with you all, I feel in my heart that it’s time for me to let go. I need time for myself, for my family, and for healing.”
Fans around the world immediately flooded social media with tributes, disbelief, and gratitude for a woman whose voice and presence helped define a genre—and whose impact transcended musical boundaries.
A Voice That Shaped a Generation
Sharon den Adel, now 50, formed Within Temptation in 1996 alongside guitarist and life partner Robert Westerholt. The band’s debut album, Enter (1997), laid the groundwork for what would soon become a symphonic metal empire. But it was their 2000 breakout Mother Earth and its iconic single “Ice Queen” that catapulted them into global stardom.
With her operatic vocals, emotional depth, and powerful stage presence, Den Adel became a symbol of strength, femininity, and artistic integrity. From soaring ballads like “Angels” to anthemic collaborations with the likes of Tarja Turunen and Jacoby Shaddix, she brought both grace and grit to every performance.
By 2025, Within Temptation had released eight studio albums, toured more than 60 countries, and headlined festivals including Wacken Open Air, Download, and Graspop Metal Meeting. The band’s most recent record, Bleed Into Light (2024), was widely regarded as a creative high point—introspective, cinematic, and politically charged.
Fans and critics alike hailed Den Adel not only as a vocalist but as a storyteller, activist, and visionary.
The Announcement: Raw, Honest, and Final
The decision, Den Adel explained, was not sudden but something that had been building over time. She described feeling “burned out” after years of touring, struggling with mental and physical exhaustion, and wanting to reclaim her identity outside of the band.
“Being Sharon from Within Temptation has been an honor,” she said. “But I also want to be Sharon the mother, the friend, the human being who can rest. I’ve missed birthdays. I’ve missed grieving. I’ve missed silence.”
She emphasized that the band’s dynamic had always been a “deeply personal and emotional ride,” and that continuing without the same level of passion would feel dishonest.
“The worst thing I could do is go on stage and pretend,” she added. “You deserve the truth, and the truth is, I’m tired. I’m proud, but I’m tired.”
Bandmates React: ‘We Support Her With All Our Hearts’
Shortly after Den Adel’s announcement, the remaining members of Within Temptation—Robert Westerholt, Ruud Jolie, Martijn Spierenburg, Jeroen van Veen, and Mike Coolen—issued a joint statement.
“We are heartbroken, but we understand. Sharon is not just our singer—she’s our sister, our soul. Her voice brought these songs to life, and her heart kept us together through everything. We support her with all our hearts and wish her nothing but peace.”
The band also clarified that Within Temptation will not continue under the same name without Den Adel, effectively marking the end of the band as fans have known it.
A Legacy Beyond Music
Beyond her vocal range and gothic elegance, Den Adel has been admired for her ability to evolve. From the ethereal Celtic vibes of Mother Earth to the darker, industrial edge of Hydra and Resist, she always pushed the boundaries of the genre. Her lyrics tackled topics ranging from loss and love to climate change, political oppression, and women’s rights.
In 2017, during a band hiatus, Den Adel released a deeply personal solo project under the name My Indigo, which explored her struggles with depression and anxiety. The album was praised for its vulnerability and its deviation from the symphonic metal sound.
She also became a mentor for younger women in the scene, often advocating for mental health, artistic freedom, and gender equality in metal—a genre historically dominated by male voices.
“She was my hero growing up,” said Simone Simons of Epica. “I wouldn’t be doing what I do without her.”
What’s Next for Sharon?
While Den Adel emphasized that she is not retiring from music entirely, she made it clear that she has no immediate plans to perform or record.
“I want to live quietly for a while,” she said. “I want to be with my children, walk my dogs, see the world not just from a tour bus window. Maybe one day I’ll write again. But not now.”
When asked about future creative projects, she hinted at possibly returning to solo work, writing, or even visual art, a passion she’s long expressed on tour and in interviews.
Fans shouldn’t expect a farewell tour either. Den Adel explained that her final performance with the band—an unannounced, emotional set at Hellfest 2025 just two weeks ago—will now be her last.
“I didn’t know it then, but it was the perfect goodbye.”
The Fans Respond: ‘Thank You, Queen’
Within hours of the announcement, hashtags like #ThankYouSharon, #WithinTemptationForever, and #MetalQueenRetires were trending on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok.
Thousands of fans shared clips of concerts, lyrics that helped them through hard times, and personal memories of meeting Den Adel during signings or tours.
A fan from Brazil wrote:
“Sharon saved my life with her music when I was at my lowest. I’m sad she’s leaving, but so grateful she ever existed in the first place.”
Another, from Poland, said:
“You gave us beauty, rage, peace, fire. You were never just a singer. You were our sanctuary.”
A Final Word
Sharon den Adel’s departure marks the end of an era—not just for Within Temptation, but for the global metal community. Few voices have carried such elegance, power, and sincerity across so many stages and hearts.
As the curtain falls, it leaves behind a legacy built on authenticity, resilience, and a kind of strength that doesn’t shout, but sings.
“Thank you for giving me your ears, your hearts, your love,” she said in closing. “Now, it’s time for me to listen to mine.”
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