DELAIN consists of founder, keyboardist and songwriter Martijn Westerholt (ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION), guitarist Ronald Landa and drummer Sander Zoer, as well as the new members Ludovico Cioffi on bass and the singer Diana Leah. This Dutch Symphonic Metal Band was formed in 2002. From their debut record until 2021, Charlotte Wessels was the woman behind the microphone. ”Dark Waters” is the group’s seventh album and Diana does a fantastic job as the new vocalist. Her voice is light and clear, but at the same time powerful and a few times it slides over to Opera style.

A slow, dreamlike rhythm is heard at the beginning of the very good ”Hideaway Paradise”, which opens the album. A soft, pumping energy in the music wells up. It is Metal in the background and on top of that there is a Poprock melody, which makes me think of WITHIN TEMPTATION. I experience DELAIN’s sound, at least on the new record, as a mixture of the group just mentioned and a rockier version of ABBA. ”Beneath” is another example of the band’s combination of synth themes and Metal riffs to create a fusion between Pop and Heavy Metal. Guitar, bass and keyboard build a strong sound carpet. Lovely bass tones almost vibrate in the air. This is one of the songs guested by the excellent singer Paolo Ribaldini.

”The Quest And The Curse” is a very good composition with a catchy chorus. The track has everything from Gregorian backing vocals by a male choir to the growls from the guitarist and bassist. It is the only song that contains precisely the latter. Although the author of these lines is not a fan of growling, I must say that it fits here. Diana Leah is a skilled singer and her beautiful tones in the mid section calm down what the guys’ aggressive sounds have torn up. A shorter piano version of the same song ends the album, then without a single grunt. Piano, keyboard arrangements and violin create a gentle and fine-tuned atmosphere. In this piece, Diana sings with more feeling and we also hear lovely soprano tones.

Dramatic, movie-like music and the choir are a recurring element in “The Cold”. Zoer does a great work behind the drums. “Moth To A Flame” has a light, Scandinavian ABBA touch, with a twist of Rock. This is interspersed with a very cool, rapid Metal sound on drums, bass and guitar. “Tainted Hearts” has fitting, pounding drumbeats and rough guitar tones. One can sense a touch of darkness in the middle, in an otherwise Melodic Pop Rock piece, which ticks along at a pleasant tempo.

Different vocal parts and variations in the music give the amazing “Queen Of Shadow” several dimensions. When Diana and Paolo sing together in the chorus, a positive energy rushes through the body of the listener. We also find a lovely energy in “Underland”. The song is built up by harmonious keyboard melodies, together with great drum- and guitarplaying. A background choir delivers words quickly, between the Heavy notes in the music, which creates a magnificent feeling.

Except Ribaldini, we find the guest artists Marko Hietala (ex-NIGHTWISH) and guitarist Ruud Jolie (WITHIN TEMPTATION), who appear on one track each. DELAIN themselves consists of a songbird and four skilled musicians. Everyone has done a fantastic work, especially the keyboardist and producer. “Dark Waters” is an imaginative and inspiring record. (Anna)

Bewertung:

 8,5 / 10

Anzahl der Songs: 11
Spielzeit: 51:30 min
Label: Napalm Records
Veröffentlichungstermin: 10.02.2023