So, this is the year that Delain broke up. Which sucks, for all sorts of reasons, but, dammit, they've had a good run. I was fortunate enough to see them twice in concert, both times in Manchester, both times with my younger son who's a bit of a music buff. The first concert was in a fairly small venue. They were on their We Are The Others tour and I was impressed by their energy and the grace and strength of Charlotte Wessels' awesome voice. The second time was on the Moonbathers tour. Much bigger venue and a more polished stage show. Both times were great concerts, though, and, whatever you say about them (and my son pointed out that opening act Kobra and the Lotus were much better musicians - and I ain't gonna argue with him), they knew how to put on a show and wrote some damn good songs.
In a genre where Nightwish has dominated the scene for a long time, Delain produced solid, heavy rock/metal albums which occasionally sparkled with unexpected genius. With the possible exception of their second album April Rain, Moonbathers is probably their weakest offering, but fortunately not the album after which they retired. Their last album is Apocalypse and Chill which, ironically enough, sees them embrace a slightly heavier sound as well as the kind of full-on orchestral and choral arrangements that invite a more direct comparison with the aforementioned Nightwish. The result is an album that is a cut above the band's more recent offerings. 'Burning Bridges' is a very good example - thundering riffs, soaring powerful vocals and growls that come out of nowhere but seem to fit perfectly with the song. The video below is well worth a watch.
One particular joy has been seeing the development of Charlotte Wessels from a seventeen-year old with an extraordinary fresh and sweet voice (check out 'Sleepwalker's Dream' for what I think is the quintessential early Wessels vocal performance - it really is astonishing and still sends shivers down my spine) into a mature rock powerhouse. On stage, too, she has grown in stature. Even in the two concerts I attended, the difference in her confidence and presence was marked. She's a bona fide star who, in her lyrics, has demonstrated herself to be a thoughtful and profoundly empathetic writer. I'll be following her future projects with great interest.
So, here's to you, Delain! One of my favourite bands and a mainstay of my listening since I first discovered the slightly odd genre of symphonic/gothic/power metal all those years ago. I will miss you greatly! :)
#music #delain #metal