Dark Waters

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After their shock dissolution, especially the loss of the very talented and face of the band Charlotte Wessels, it seemed like there would be no way back for Delain but here they are! Having been a fan of Delain for many years, both on record and live shows, I was a little worried that Diana Leah becoming lead vocalist rather than Charlotte Wessels, whom I love, may change the band. Here, standards mirror those of perennial arena-fillers Nightwish, and a cameo from that band’s former bass player Marko Hietala seems wholly apt.

That's also the case on "Moth to a Flame" that opens with acapella singing before the metal kicks in with some of the record's best riffs. The downside, perhaps, is that so much attention has been given to elevating this away from the norm that focus on the actual writing has not been as sharp as previously. Each song on this long player is catchy, full of pathos and a hit, Also the new singer makes a great job and brings soul into the heavy soundscapes. Singer Sharon den Adel guested on Delain's 2006 debut Lucidity, and in 2023 Within Temptation's Ruud Jolie lends his guitar talents to "Mirror of Night," a dynamic number that has both quiet piano sections and heavy cinematic parts.

That brings the quality down slightly, but is still recommended for those who may be skeptical of a Wessels-less Delain. Sadly, Ad Infinitum chooses to throw in incomprehensible death metal growling - which I flatly can't stand. Thus, many of songs – though enjoyable – don’t come close to those adorning the recent album by outwardly similar German rockers Beyond The Black. That's contrasted by "The Quest and the Curse," a heavier and moderately paced track with harsh vocals and choirs balancing Leah's ethereal singing. DELAIN’s renowned orchestral arrangements, highlighted by modern shadings, set new standards and manifest the five-piece on top of the scene.

The vocal department holds new adventures with guest singer Paolo Ribaldini, who also highlights the hauntingly beautiful “Beneath” as the ultimate hymn. On 15 February 2021, it was announced that Delain's lineup had split up, and that it would be continuing with a new lineup that Westerholt stated would continue to "keep Delain alive", which consists of new and previous members. DELAIN magnificently manages to never lose touch of their characteristic sound, making them a constant without ever standing still.

The future of the veteran Dutch symphonic metal band Delain was unclear after the lineup disbanded in early 2021, leaving only keyboardist Martijn Westerholt. Queen of Shadow”merges the orchestral and synth-focused soundscapes DELAIN is known for as it weaves melodic heavy guitars that intertwine with orchestral lines and vocal melodies. Before I thought delain sounded like a second version of nightwish while just changing the vocal style, but I feel that they have really found their "sound" now. A sonic rollercoaster ride of catchy tunes with explosive elements - ranging from pop to film score-inspired to blistering metal - merge perfectly with Diana’s fantastic voice, showcasing her incredible talent and musical sophistication. Keyboard player and founder member Martijn Westerholt vowed to put a new band together under the same name, a prospect that made most fans hold their heads in dismay.

The biggest obstacle for me to overcome going into Dark Waters was the new vocalist, but I was pleasantly surprised. Similar to Xandria's line-up issues, I also had worries that Delain will no longer be one of my favourite female fronted metal bands after Charlotte Wessels was out as her voice is so charming with high recognition value. Emerging as a brand new start and safe haven alike, Dark Waters, without any doubt, continues the legacy of this multi-million-streamed leading symphonic metal outfit and contains everything DELAIN is loved for and more.

Charlotte Wessels: "When was the last time you heard someone ask, 'What's it like being a man in a metal band? Many songs are strong, catchy and symphonic in best Delain tradition and also the new singer makes a good job, coming close to her predecessor in style. The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.