Maybe it's just me, but I find the rise of female fronted symphonic metal to be a welcome breath of fresh air. The passion and the angst of the female perspective mixes well with the power driven guitars and keys. I have always had an interest in female voices in metal. Something about that innocence intertwined with pounding metal and drifting keyboards. Delain is one of those bands.
Charlotte Wessel is a powerhouse front woman. Her voice is angelic and sinful at the same time. You get a sense from her vocals of a life committed to the sound of Delain. Sure there is a hint of sexiness, but also a solid, intelligent, emotional energy that connects all facets of the song with the audience. She holds the lyrics close to her heart on this album. It's a collection reworked classics, new songs, and covers. Make no mistake Delain are a force of power to be reckoned with. The perfect blend of keyboards and guitar work. Nothing seems to be over the top when you listen as a song, but dissecting the tracks, it's clear that there is a lot of algebraic musicianship taking place.
Of the 13 tracks on this special release, 6 are live versions, 3 are covers, and the rest are new tunes or reworked ones. Released as a special for the fans it is clear from the live tracks that Delain is well seasoned and well rehearsed. The tracks are flawless stellar examples of the musical superiority. Stand outs include, "It's Not Enough", and "Get The Devil Out Of Me".
The cover songs are well played versions and showcase a sound all their own. "Smalltown Boy" is a great example of what Delain has to offer both the fans and the music world. I like this track. It stands out in my head. Equally haunting in its beauty is "Cordell"
"Breathe On Me", and "Collars and Suits" are two new songs. "Breathe" is a song that just stuck in my head. The song hints at something...I'm not sure what...but it's good. Real Good. Perfect introduction to the music of Delain for those unfamiliar but also a look into the future sound of this growing band. "We are the Others" is a finely crafted ballad that showcases some of Charlotte Wessel's vocal acrobatics.
Clearly we are entering a new age where bands like, Nightwish, Epica, Leave's Eyes, and more, begin to ascend to the throne of symphonic metal. The overall feel of this release is one of a band that has a firm sense of itself. They don't pander to trends or to labels. You can hear the conviction in the lyrics and the songwriting. This is real. There is a subtle, yet powerfully emotional realism to the songs. Do yourself a favor and grab this release.
8 horns up!
--MetalRising