Ex Libris (band)

Formation (2003)

Ex Libris formed in 2003 in the Netherlands. Operatic soprano Dianne van Giersbergen leads the band. In 2004, with the addition of guitarist Paul van den Broek and keyboardist Koen Stam, the band's name changed from Erinyen to Ex Libris.

Drawn demo and debut album Amygdala (2005-2008)

In 2005, they released a 4-song demo Drawn. They started playing more shows and bassist Peter den Bakker joined the band while recording their debut album. Amygdala was released in 2008, featuring demo tracks from Drawn, "Dawn of Sugars" and "Breath with Me". The album was well received.

Ex Libris supported shows with other Dutch symphonic metal bands such as Epica, Stream of Passion and ReVamp. They played abroad, in Germany, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom (with Delain).

Line-up changes and Medea (2011-2014)

In 2011, Ex Libris returned to the studio and recorded a 3-track demo "Medea" for their upcoming album.

In 2013 drummer Joost van de Pas was replaced by Eelco van der Meer, who toured with Stream of Passion in 2012.^[1] Around the same time, Dianne became the new front-woman for German symphonic metal band Xandria, right after the departure of Manuela Kraller, without leaving Ex Libris.^[2]

The new album Medea is a concept album about the Greek tragedy of Medea and her lover Jason. The album was funded via an IndieGogo campaign with the goal of €2.000 which was successful and passed the goal with €3.549.^[3] The album was released independently in January 2014.

On June 2014, drummer Eelco van der Meer departed.^[4]

Third studio album (2017-present)

Ex Libris is currently preparing for their 3rd studio album a metal trilogy called Ann. It will be divided into three chapters. The first chapter, called Anne Boleyn was released on August 1st, 2018. The other two chapters are scheduled to be released in 2019.