I’ve been awaiting Moonbathers, the fifth album from Delain, ever since they put out their Lunar Prelude EP, which was a release that definitely left me wanting more. Thankfully the wait didn’t end up being that long, and the album itself is another absolutely stunning piece from the Dutch symphonic metallers.
There’s a great amount of movement and momentum to the album, as always, with plenty of catchy tracks to get stuck in your head courtesy of the fantastic symphonic lines and the beautifully performed vocals. An early highlight is second track The Glory And The Scum, which features a seriously catchy chorus and I can definitely picture this one being included in their live set! Meanwhile Scandal (which is a cover of the Queen track) sees the band take a slightly different approach – the track is quite true to the original, so naturally the style is different to what the band’s music usually sounds like, but it really works for them!
Although the album as a whole is excellent, it does fall a little short on the opening track, however. It starts off well enough with a fast-paced and punchy introduction that is soon followed by a powerful vocal delivery from Charlotte that is simply begging to be sang along to…but then a guest vocal line from Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy) joins in, and it feels stale and stagnant; almost like it’s being included for the sake of it, and it results in a jerkier flow as a result.
Moonbathers is another great album from Delain, and showcases the band on top form once again.
9/10
