Change can be often good, and often, not so good. For every Pantera ditching hair metal there is George Clooney Batman. Dutch symphonic metal outfit Delian formed back in 2002, and underwent their most dramatic change in 2021 replacing all but founding member Martijn Westerholt. Their fresh new lineup has released their latest album Dark Waters to – pardon the pun – test the waters with their new material. Fortune favours the brave, so had fortune been on the side of a renewed Delain?
Former Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Westerholt initially formed Delain as a solo project before recruiting an entire band. From their first album in 2007 the lineup has shifted about, with Charlotte Wessels a constant front and centre on vocals. The lineup stayed pretty stable from 2012, however in 2021 Westerholt decided to disband the lineup and return Delain to a solo project. In 2022 he announced Delian’s return to a full band, with new and returning members. Former members Sander Zoer (drums) and Ronald Landa (guitars) returned to the lineup, followed by newcomer Ludovico Cioffi on bass. The lineup was almost complete, with one notable absence left to unveil.
The first new single The Quest and the Curse was not just the first song released under the fresh lineup, but unveiled Diana Leah as their new lead vocalist. Replacing the ever present Charlotte Wessels as lead vocalist was always going to be the number 1 challenge to Delain‘s success with their new lineup. Diana has integrated into Delain seamlessly, with a slightly more pop sounding voice than Charlotte. This suits Delain, and Diana clearly has the vocal capability and charisma to handle front vocal duties with ease.
Although there are fresh faces in the lineup, the core DNA of Delian still flows as fresh as a mountain spring – symphonic metal with a pop twist. That certainly is no bad thing, Delain has earned reverence in the metal community for good reason. Variety is present throughout Dark Waters. Opening track Hideway Paradise leans into the trace background Diana Leah emerged from. The aforementioned The Quest and the Curse and Beneath are both prototypical Delain. Single releases Moth to a Flame and Queen of Shadow are only a couple of degrees of separation from full pop banger.
Through thoughtful lyrics and varied songwriting, Dark Waters is an album to truly enjoy repeated listen after listen. There is something for the die hard Delain fan, whilst laying the ground work for the future. Dark Waters is a solid opening chapter to Delain 2.0.
Score: 7/10
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