Delain – Live – The Garage

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Review By Darren McIntyre Photos By Scott Anderson

Delain are a symphonic metal band from Zwolle, Overijssel, Netherlands who originally formed in 2002, the band have gone through a complete revamp with Martijn the only survivor from the original band. The band have given us Lucidity in 2006, April Rain in 2009, We Are The Others in 2012, The Human Contradiction in 2014, Moonbathers in 2016, Apocalypse & Chill in 2020, Dark Waters in 2023 and most recently they brought us EP Dance With The Devil. The band welcomes Diana Leah on lead vocals and to celebrate the new EP & vocalist they are hitting the road and tonight they roll into Glasgow to bring their infectious symphonic brand of rock to the fine people of Scotland, the place is filling up nicely as the band takes to the stage to rapturous applause as they launch straight into –

The Cold – As the dark brooding melodic intro music bellows through the house PA we await the arrival of this Dutch phenomenon and we did not have long as the gig bursts into life with a pounding rhythm section that lets the song erupt into life as the melodic vocals of Diana fill the venue as the boys bring the mysterious tones as the cool synth notes make themselves known as we welcome the band to Glasgow. The meaty full on bassline is getting the place warmed up as the cool tones let us feel the band deliver a soaring chant that gets the place raising it’s fists as we get into this awesome opener, the shredding guitar riffs are working well as the place is just bubbling under the surface as the mesmerising track comes to a dramatic ending as streamers litter the venue and let us know that Delain are in the house, up next –

The Reaping – The cool synth keys are oozing from the stage as the band kicks in the doors with a crunching guitar filled track that is just bringing a real edgy groove to Glasgow tonight. The vocals are smooth, melodic and just fill the place as they reach all the way to the back of the hall and all the way forward as we get a rousing rhythm beat that gives us double bass kicks that are followed by a pounding snare drum beat that allows the track to breathe. The dark, mellow bass is dropping full on tones that really wrap themselves around this colossal piece of music. The tempo changes pace for a bit as we feel the mesmerising vocals reach out to us as this crunching, foot stomping bruiser really grabs our attention as the place is going nuts for these Dutch Metallers, up next is –

Burning Bridges – Pouring from the stage comes a gritty guitar rasp that is followed by a snare drum beat that lets this cool foot stomping beast rear it’s head as the vocals are oozing from the front of the stage. A deep funking bassline is dropping cool notes all through the arrangement as we feel the energy coming at us from this grooving bunch of metal maniacs, we get growler vocals that changes the pace of this symphonic number as the pounding double bass kicks raise the tempo of this fantastic number. Dianah bellows out let me hear you Glasgow as the place responds and sings back to a real warm reception. The groove is building and building as the place gets warmed up to this growling band as they deliver a mesmerising track that hits all the right notes, we move onto –

April Rain – Diana chats with us and thanks us for coming out to party with them which again gets a huge cheer from this packed out crowd before the track erupts into life with soaring vocals. The rhythm section is bringing the groove with a salvo of snare / bass kicks that just lets this track leave it’s mark on the fine folk of Glasgow, the bassline is dropping dark, delicious tones that wrap themselves around this synth laden rock track that is kicking in the doors and letting us know that Delain are in the house. The keys are coming at us as Martijn delivers a real melodic tone as his rig lights up with smatterings of white, blue, red & green neon lights that give this foot stomping beast a real reason to be played live and loud, the place is really getting into the soaring symphonic groove as fists are raised all over the venue tonight, up next –

Suckerpunch – The track comes at us with a pounding bass / snare kick as the rasping guitar chords make themselves known as this anthemic beast awakens and gives it to us straight. Diana lets her soaring vocals flow into the venue as the band joins in and brings the noise with a killer guitar / bass drive that is wrapped in the epic keys as Martijn steps up and rocks out to let this number flow, the boys are bringing the tone as their backing vocals adds to the mystery in this foot stomping, fist pumping rock track that has depth, swagger and lets us bellow back with a killer vocal salvo that just rocks, we roll into –

The Quest & The Curse – A sampler groove blasts through the house PA as Diana brings her mellow vocals and lets the groove flow into Glasgow as we feel the lyrics wrap themselves around us. The addition of the growler vocals adds mystery to this foot stomping number as the pounding bass kicks pour from the stage as this fantastic track delivers with bags of groove as the cool synth keys get the place moving as the synth stand lights up through the thick smoke as the band really steps it up a gear and brings us a real symphonic number that slows the pace down a tad. The dark brooding bass kicks are allowing Diana to let her vocals run free and really spread her infectious tone all through the venue, we stroll into –

Army Of Dolls – The stage is black and buzzing as a cool symphonic tone descends upon Glasgow as the symphonic notes builds and builds before Diana lets her vocals fill the room and bring this classic track to our attention. The rhythm section is hitting us with cool deep snare drum beats that work well in this melodic beast as we watch in awe as the band delivers a no nonsense beat that has this place bouncing, the keys are oozing from the stage as the band is just smiling from ear to ear as they watch our faces beam to the wonderous sound that is coming from this mesmerising outfit. The shredding guitar riffs are chipping away at us as they wander freely around the stage and let Diana do her thing as a cool synth tone fills the air, this is a real crowd pleaser that has the place bouncing before we move onto –

Get The Devil Out Of Me – Sweet piano tones get this pounding number off the ground as the cool bass kicks make themselves known as this gritty rocker opens up and comes to life. Diana lets her melodic vocals fill the air as this thundering monster comes at us with real swagger as the snare drum punches bring the noise as we let the band build as Martijn lets the keys roll into the venue as this cool track lets us get into this melodic number as the place feels the gritty rasping guitar licks reach all the way to the back of the hall, this is a short, sharp burst of symphonic, melodic rock at it’s finest and we are wanting more from these Dutch metallers, moving on we get –

Queen Of Shadow – The symphonic keys are flowing from the stage as a pounding snare drum beat combines with a bass kick as this colossal number unfolds and really gets us moving. Diana’s soaring vocals are melodic and get this monster track off the ground as we are hit with a funking bassline that is wrapping itself around this killer track as the gritty guitar riffs erupt and give this track depth and bags of attitude, the cool keys are littered throughout the number and really let the musicality flow as the killer beats bring this track kicking and screaming to us tonight. The place is again rocking out with many having their horns in the air as this bass drum pounding melodic monster brings the mystery to Glasgow tonight, the place is filled with pyro smoke which makes it sometimes difficult to see the band but they are certainly giving us what we came for tonight as the haunting tones are oozing from the stage tonight as Diana brings her effortless vocals that really lift the tracks as we power through onto –

Your Body Is A Battleground – A punchy pounding rhythm section leans in as this fist pumping beast springs to life as the boys give us a real gritty rocking track as Diana lets her soaring vocals take the track onwards, Damian wanders onto the stage and immediately lets us hear those blistering pipes as he bellows out with Diana and this track takes on a new identity. The slick, rumbling guitar licks are reaching every corner of the venue tonight as the boys join in and bring a fierce deep bassline that is wrapping itself around this anthemic monster as Damian bellows out his soaring vocals that just set this track apart from anything else tonight, the tracks are powerful, melodic and have plenty of swagger as they crank out symphonic hit after hit as we roll into –

The Gathering – Diana and Ronald get this pounding monster off the ground as they get the crowd to chant along with the intro beats that have synth keys for company as we feel the full force of Delain. The pounding double bass kicks really give this track depth as the shredding guitar riffs flow effortlessly through this foot stomping, fist pumping rocker track as we get a shredding guitar that wanders freely through the mid section as the band brings the full force of their symphonic, melodic grooves that are getting this Glasgow crowd all hot and bothered. The tempo changes pace as we clap along to the mid section salvo of Diana, Ronald and the boys as they give us a real killer track that keeps building and building as we stroll into –

Don’t Let Go – We get a sweet mellow keys intro as the grungy riffed guitar leans in and shreds along with the punchy rhythm section as a solid snare drum beat lets the tempo run free. The soulful soaring vocals are allowing the track to breathe as the boys bring a cool bassline that just gives this track a full on funk effect that has the crowd in the palm of their hands, the foot stomping beat is building as the tempo changes pace for a second as Martijn brings a synth laden attack that gives this track a real mysterious feel as the band really hit the ground running in this fast paced, grooving symphonic beast as we are sucking up every morsel of this anthemic pounding synth laden track that is leading us to the business end of the show as we roll into –

Moth To A Flame – Backing vocals ooze from the stage as this growling monster erupts into life with a sizzling synth tone that welcomes a rasping guitar riff that brings the rhythm section along for the ride. The boys are really getting us whipped up with a full on bassline that drops killer funk style grooves that let Diana bring her cool vocals as this mesmerising arrangement really brings the heat, the place is bouncing as we get a real party style atmosphere from these melodic masters from the Netherlands as they drop the hammer and get us to sing along to the heaving chorus as the boys up the tempo and really give us a rocking, pounder track that has mystery, swagger, attitude and bundles of quality as we feel the anthemic tones rain down on us from all corners of the stage, we kick into –

Dance With The Devil – As the track kicks off we are again hit with a furious double bass kick that brings a snare drum beat that really allows the track to kick off and bring us a soaring intro that is just awesome. The killer keys are really wrapping themselves around this high energy melodic number as the shredding guitar licks are dropping epic chords all through the track as we feel the energy pulsing from the stage as Diana lets her vocals do the talking as a growling dark vocals joins the party and takes the track in another direction as the place gets to grips with this killer new offering. The rhythm section is controlling the tempo from the back of the room as the energy is rising with every not e that is oozing from the stage as this grinding beast leaves it’s mark on the crowd tonight, coming at us next is –

Not Enough – Ronald steps forward and hits us with a real grungy riffed guitar lick that welcomes a pounding rhythm section that gives us a snare drum beat that lets this track breathe. Diana brings her angelic, melodic vocals that lets the track tell it’s own story as the cool synth keys bring depth and swagger to this foot stomping monster that just keeps building and building, the place is rocking as the boys kick in and drop a full on meaty bassline that is getting the place moving. The mesmerising keys are dropping down on us as the haunting vocals really stop us in our tracks as we feel the mystery oozing from this colossal piece of music that has really made this night a must see for all Delain fans everywhere, we stroll into the last track of the evening as we get hit with –

We Are The Others – Diana steps forward and thanks us for coming out to support Delain and her as she carries on with her journey with these symphonic masters. The rhythm section comes in first with a cool solid snare drum beat that lets this melodic monster leave it’s mark as the last song has us punching the air with real joy as the place is rocking and rolling as the boys bring a sweet cool piano style tone that mixes well with the cool dark bassline that works so well with a shredding guitar riff that leads us into a change of tempo as Diana sings back to us as this fast paced melodic number builds and builds as the band are strolling around the stage with huge smiles on their faces as we get hit with another streamer cannon that brings down the curtain on a cracking night of melodic, symphonic rock that was fresh, groovy and worth the night alone.

Delain –

Diana Leah – Lead Vocals

Ronald Landa – Guitar / Backing Vocals / Harsh Vocals

Ludovico Cioffi – Bass / Backing Vocals / Harsh Vocals

Martijn Westerholt – Keys

Sander Zoer – Drums

Setlist –

The Cold

The Reaping

Burning Bridges

April Rain

Suckerpunch