Within Temptation’s Sharon den Adel has never shied away from speaking her mind, and when asked about the state of the war in Ukraine, her response was blunt: “I’m always a hopeful person. But we’ve only seen it go downhill.”
The Dutch symphonic metal band has a deep connection to Ukraine, having filmed the music video to ‘A Fools Parade’ there before the full-scale invasion. Since then, den Adel has been vocal in her support for the country, and she’s now looking to do even more. “I want to be more involved in raising money for the country,” she says.
Den Adel visited Ukraine last summer to perform at a festival, but the experience was overshadowed by tragedy. “The day I was supposed to perform, a children’s hospital for cancer got hit and a lot of children died,” she recalls. The festival itself had to be postponed by a week, but in a rare show of solidarity, every artist on the lineup shifted their schedules to make it work. “Everyone that was on the bill changed their schedules so that they could do it.”
Her comments also touched on the wider global landscape, particularly how political shifts are affecting the situation. “I was hoping for better times. With Trump being elected as President of the United States, things are rapidly going downhill.”
While many artists avoid discussing politics outright, den Adel isn’t one to stay silent. Within Temptation has long used their music to highlight injustice, and their support for Ukraine has remained steadfast.
As the war drags on, den Adel’s words reflect the frustration of many who had hoped for a resolution. But even in the face of worsening conditions, she remains committed to using her platform to help. Whether through music, fundraising, or simply speaking out, she’s making it clear that her support for Ukraine isn’t going anywhere.
