CD Review
This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.
These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins.
Artist : Delain
Album : April Rain (2009 Roadrunner)
Tracks : 11
Artist website : http://www.delain.nl/
OVERVIEW
This is the sophomore effort from Dutch symphonic metal band, Delain. I had not previously heard any music from this band until sitting down to review this album.
From the get go, I really loved the vocals. Very easy to listen to.
The music is indeed very symphonic. Great arrangements! I am also impressed by the fact that not one song went over six minutes! (The longest track clocks in at 5:18). All songs feel like full compositions and not at all compromised by shorter lenths. This is impressive since song lengths in this genre tend to be on the longer side.
This album has really impressed me. Can’t wait to hear more from this band in the future.
HIGHLIGHTS :
April Rain, Invidia, Start Swimming, I’ll Reach You
PLAY BY PLAY
Track 1 – April Rain
Awesome opening track! Also the title track of the album.
Track 2 – Stay Forever
Cool track.
Track 3 – Invidia
Very cool song. It has really nice vocal melodies.
Track 4 – Control The Storm
This track features Nightwish bassist/vocalist Marco Hietala. This song has some interesting vocal parts. Very powerful.
Track 5 – On The Other Side
Interesting track. Very mellow. It does get a bit more energetic towards the end. Very pretty melodies.
Track 6 – Virtue and Vice
Cool track.
Track 7 – Go Away
Intense in places. Some very beautiful ideas in this track. I did find the arrangement to be a bit on the busy side, though.
Track 8 – Start Swimming
I guess it would be fair to call this track a ballad, though it gets a bit heavy at times. There were a few moments during this track when I thought I was listening to Tori Amos.
Track 9 – Lost
Intense. The arrangement was really busy. Not a whole lot of room to breathe.
Track 10 – I’ll Reach You
This is really a power ballad. Very nice melodies.
Track 11 – Nothing Left
This track also features Nightwish bassist/vocalist Marco Hietala. It’s a cool track.