Delain: Moonbathers

2016 is a key year in Delain's history given that it is the band's tenth anniversary. The solid EP Lunar Prelude appeared earlier in the year and in the autumn there are plans afoot to record a celebratory live CD/DVD. Before that, we find a new album, Moonbathers, the fifth studio effort mastered by Grammy award winning Ted Jensenwhich according to their record company should satisfy, " your hunger for the symphonic greatness, catchy hooks and solid dose of metal that the band is known for."

I said in my review of 2014's the Human Contradiction that, "I fully expect this album to take Delain onto larger stages," which is certainly the case in the case of the upcoming tour in support of Moonbathers and now it remains to be determined if there will be a step up into larger (probably just below arenas) as a result of this album. Moonbathers is a very good album, though I'm not sure it does anything better than their previous efforts and it is ever so slightly worrying that "Suckerpunch", which was on Lunar Prelude, is the best song on offer here. If I was to point any flaws it would be that there isn't a standout track to build one's listening pleasure around – everything is strong, solid without being out-of-this-world-brilliant and all their contemporaries (Within Temptation and Nightwish for example) have signature hits. Perchance they were hoping the cover of "Scandal" by Queen would do the job but it is somewhat out of place.

I don't want to seem like I'm down on the album (as I'm not) because there is much to enjoy for long term fans. Everything is in working order; grandiose keyboards? Yup. Charlotte Wessels' voice? Present. Chugging rhythm and riffs? Definitely. It's possible that Delain have plateaued and the formula may require a little tweaking if the upward curve is going to continue for another decade.

Track Listing:
1. Hands Of Gold
2. The Glory And The Scum
3. Suckerpunch
4. The Hurricane
5. Chrysalis - The Last Breath
6. Fire With Fire
7. Pendulum
8. Danse Macabre
9. Scandal
10.Turn The Lights Out
11.The Monarch
BONUS CD
12. Suckerpunch - Live In The Netherlands
13. Turn The Lights Out - Live In The Netherlands
14. The Glory And The Scum - Live In The Netherlands
15. Don't Let Go - Live In The Netherlands
16. The Glory And The Scum - Orchestra
17. Hands Of Gold – Orchestra

Added: August 30th 2016
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 2265
Language: english

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