Delain are the latest in a long line of esteemed female fronted metal bands originating in the Netherlands, home of symphonic stablemates Epica, Within Temptation and After Forever, as well as doom/death turned alternative rockers The Gathering. Since the release of their debut, Lucidity, in 2006, they have been going from strength to strength. Over a decade later, they have established themselves as one of the standard bearers of the symphonic metal genre, with a penchant for packaging epic musical movements into concisely written anthems. Moonbathers is no different as Delain once again draws you into their world for another thrilling journey.
It’s always a challenge when new members join the fold, but drummer Ruben Israel and guitarist Merel Bechtold seamlessly slot into their respective positions. Delain are very much a team, with every member a vital component in the construction of each song. Nobody is a superstar or a standout, with the band primarily ensuring that the music is as good as can be. There’s a variety of tempos and textures, with moments of dense musical backdrops contrasted with more pensive, sparse sections. Most importantly, the songs always feel vibrant, engaging and alive. The guitars, bass and drums lock in with each other, with keyboards and orchestral elements creating huge symphonic soundscapes over the tight, chugging rhythms. Charlotte Wessel’s vocals are as strong as ever, showing great depth, emotion and passion.
Delain have always shown a knack for writing great choruses, and while Moonbathers continues that trend, many of the hooks feel less immediate and a little more subtle than on previous efforts. The likes of “The Glory and the Scum”, “Pendulum” and “Danse Macabre” are infectious earworms that don’t strike you until you find yourself singing along hours after you’ve turned the record off. Of course, there are tracks that are likely to be instant crowd pleasers, such as “Suckerpunch”, “Hurricane” and “Fire with Fire”. The latter is probably the strongest track on the record, with a wonderful twin lead paving the way for an up tempo metal anthem in the vein of defunct Finnish outfit Lullacry. There’s always been a trace of Lullacry’s driving hard rock in their sound, with some of Wessel’s vocals phrasing also bearing similarities to that of Tanja Lainio.
It’s not all smooth sailing however. Bands of this style tend to include ill fitting harsh vocals, and Delain have to cop a guilty plea on opener “Hands of Gold”. The song has a nice, brisk pace to it until Alissa White-Gluz’s guest vocals bring the momentum to a juddering halt. I am a fan of her vocals, but they’re not really suitable here. Elsewhere, token ballad “Chrystalis” is a bit tepid and forgettable, whilst “Scandal”, an admirable take on a Queen classic, is missing the raw intensity of Mercury’s magnificent delivery. Closer “The Monarch” sells itself far too short, with a wonderful two minute instrumental passage seemingly building to a crescendo, only to have the plug prematurely pulled and go out with a whimper. I’d hesitate to really call these tracks poor though, they’re merely minor stumbling blocks on an otherwise comfortable trek.
There’s no doubt that Moonbathers is another solid entry into the ever impressive Delain discography. It exhibits all the qualities that make Delain such a great band and consolidates their status as one of the premier symphonic acts in the metal scene today.
Rating: 4/5 – Delain delivers again with another strong, memorable record.
Highlights: “The Glory and the Scum”, “Fight with Fire”, “Danse Macabre”
Band links: Facebook, Official Website
