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DELAIN Relentless Garage, London
21 March 2010

A Sunday night out in North London is not normally my idea of a great night out, but the thought of giving up the chance of seeing Dutch symphonic metallers Delain performing their first headline show here in the UK was an opportunity too good to miss.  Having seen them just last December at the Hard Rock Hell bash, I knew I would  be in for a treat.

The Defiled were an odd choice for opening up tonight's show.  Promoting the '1888' EP, a year when Jack The Ripper was laying fear across the capital, the Defiled were terrifying some of the audience with their apocalyptic metal with some cut throat razor blade vocals from Stitch D.

A few fans got the circle pit going at a ridiculously early time and the band slayed those down the front.  A group of friends left the building after the Defiled set ,saying ''They've seen what they've came for.''

With the approach of Armageddon now safely behind us for another day, Achilla were much more of a appropriate support act. Steadily building a fan base for themselves over the last year, Achilla are following in the footsteps of Nightwish, Evanescence in the ever growing female fronted progressive goth rock scene.

Tonight was a chance for the band to debut some tracks from the forthcoming CD 'Timeless'.  New songs like 'Your Face' shows a good deal of promise.  Guitarist Daniele Panza provides the band with some great hooks, but singer Martamaria needs to build on her stage presence and break out of her chrysalis before she spreads her butterfly wings.

Already flying in their homeland, Delain oozes class and confidence.  After contracting Pfeiffers disease keyboardist Martijn Westerholt had to retire from the band he shared with his brother in Within Temptation. What originally only started out as a studio project, Westerholt has turned Delain into a strong tour de force, which will keep his energy levels to a high for many years to come.

The shining star is singer Charlotte Wessels.  The Utrecht born 23 year old is the focus of all attention.  The photogenic girl has the voice to suit the wall of symphonic sound the band produce at a high level.

Opening up with 'Invidia' from the Roadrunner 2009 release 'April Rain', the band quickly follow this with the singles 'Stay Forever' and 'Frozen' (From the debut 'Lucidity') and also the title track single from the latest opus, which had the crowd giving an euphoric response, which meant that Wessels and the band had to pause whilst lapping up the endless applause.

Performing his debut with the band tonight was bassist Otto Schimmelpennick van der Oije, (Who has a name as long as his hair, and must also get a late night when asked to sign autographs), or simply known as 'The Baron' to bandmates and fans, did a sterling job pulling some Steve Harris moves to fulfil his new full time job.

Ticker-tape rained down from the roof for end of 'The Gathering' which was a beautiful spectacle.  With three encores ending what was a pulsating set.  Delain started of their UK with aplomb.  I doubt we will see Delain in such small venues again.  Delain are going global.

Set list : Invidia / Stay Forever / Frozen / Sever / April Rain / Go Away / I'll Reach You / Come Closer / The Gathering / Nothing Left / Sleepwalkers Dream / Control The Storm / Silhouette Of A Dancer ...encores.. Virtue And Vice / Lost / Pristine
 

Review and photos by Mark Taylor