Tag Archives: symphonic metal

(review) Delain – ‘Dark Waters’ (Napalm Records)

Delain from Holland were formed by keyboardist and mastermind Martijn Westerholt and this is their seventh full length opus. What is new in Delain, all the members except Martijn quit the band couple of years ago and it became a solo project again, but here is the new line-up, hence the new opus and it is mighty good. This one contains eleven songs, one being a piano version of one of for me best songs on this opus called ‘The Quest and the Curse’. For those who don’t know, Delain play symphonic gothic metal, bombastic sympho passages interplay with great guitar melodies topped with dramatics and beautiful voice of new singer Diana Leah. What I must also mention that this opus includes guest performances by Paolo Ribaldini and ex Nightwish bassist/vocalist Marko Hietala especially in song ‘Invictus’ which is also one of my personal favorites on this album. Some bands playing this kind of metal tend to lose their edge and become too soft, Delain on this album kept their metal edge especially in ‘Tainted Hearts’, melodic gothic metal mixed with fine dose of metal marching guitars. Songs that I must also mention as being superb are ‘Moth to a Flame’ and ‘Queen of Shadow’. This is a great sympho gothic metal album by legends of the genre.

8,5/10

SWEDISH SYMPHONIC METALBAND EMETROPIA announce European tour/watch the lyric video!

They will be joining Visions of Atlantis and Secret Rule for a European tour in May 2022.

Keyboardist Liam comments: “Wow, this is such an amazing opportunity for us! I think I can speak on behalf of all in Emetropia, that we can’t wait to get on the road for the first time – together with such incredibly talented musicians – and perform Equinox for all you guys.”

Guitarist Olle further adds to the excitement. “Fans across Europe have been asking us when we’ll be showing up in their hometowns for a while now. It’s an amazing feeling to finally be able to get out there and hopefully meet some of our long-time listeners.”

Tourdates:

12.05  AT – Bruck/Mur @ Aidora Event Center
13.05  DE – Schwäbish Gmünd @ Phönix

14.05  DE – Bad Friedrichshall  @ Lemmy’s

15.05  DE – Trier @ Mergener Hof

16.05  DE – Manmheim @ 7ER

17.05  FR – Colmar @ Le Grillen
18.05  BE – Roeselare @ De Verlichte Geest 

19.05  BE –  Bree @ Ragnarok Live Club 

20.05  DE – Selb @ Rockclub 

https://www.facebook.com/Emetropia
https://emetropia.bandcamp.com/
https://emetropiaband.com/
https://www.instagram.com/emetropiaband/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2bPXTuEopASyVAPPiXk7cu
https://twitter.com/emetropiaband
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfH2udXdIbMl8nG28XlyHDQ

Watch the lyric video from the single “The First Leaf Falls”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRYRpu8pF2g  

Watch the music video from the single “Seasonal Warfare”:  https://youtu.be/nLh6x0UW-08

(review) Esperfall – Act I – Origins in Darkness

Time for a band from our neighbors Hungarian scene to grace the pages of this zine. Esperfall are hailing from Budapest, Hungary and this is their debut full length opus. Being active since 2016, after two e.p.-s this was a time for a full length and it is just great. I expected some Nigthwish/Within Temptation clone but I got nothing like that. This is pure melodic symphonic metal with dual almost black metal vocals by guitarists Laszlo and Kerek, but the main jewel is singer Nora whose voice is one of the best I have listened to in a while. Musicianship is superb and songwriting epic and guitar border from fast power metal warrior stomping metal, to emotional almost sometimes gothic metal influenced parts and symbolize inner demons in me, fighting of good versus evil, harmony and corruption and what is evil at all? I think it lies in depending how you see it and react in life. On your feet or on your knees. Songs like Tempest in Paradise(The FirstAdvent) which is fast power metal, Plato´s Cave having a battle between guitar solo and keyboards which are so well incorporated courtesy of Zsombor Zathureczky and I would love to see these songs performed live, I am sure this sounds so good like chocolate pudding which you eat after you finally sit down and rest after long and bloody battle.

8,5/10