DELAIN – Dance With The Devil

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6.0

• Bands:
  DELAIN
• Duration: 01:03:24
• Available from: 08/11/2024
• Label:

• Napalm Records

Streaming not yet available

After introducing the new line up last year with “Dark Waters”, Martijn Westerholt's Delain (the only survivor of the original lineup) return with a new EP, released a month after the former singer's solo debut Charlotte Wessels. Leaving aside the conspiracy theories worthy of Kazzenger – it is true that the Dutch band has always alternated full length and medium-distance works – we note that “Dance With The Devil” is actually a maxi EP, even if in fact the unreleased songs are limited to just two tracks.
The title track at the beginning is probably the highlight of this release and, despite being amore of the same' by the old Delain, Diana Leah's tone goes well with the more danceable synths, even if the breakdown in the bridge sounds a bit forced. The following “The Reaping” is also decent, a classic Within Temptation-style symphonic metal piece that rests on Diana's shoulders and Martin's keyboard, as is the revisitation of the old classic “Sleepwalkers Dream”.
Nothing to say about the rich live section either: the nine pieces proposed here, from the more recent “Moth To A Flame” and “The Quest And The Curse” to the older “April Rain” and “Invidia”, are played and sung great (also note the presence of special guest Paolo Ribaldini on the microphone on three tracks, increasing the Italian component together with bassist Ludovico Cioffi and Diana herself), just as the audience interaction is perfect to the point of almost seeming sampled; the doubt remains as to their usefulness, given that anyone who hasn't yet seen them live with the new lineup will have already had an idea on Youtube, while the incomplete set list doesn't make it a full-fledged live album.
Finally, the karaoke versions of the first two tracks at the end are certainly useless, just as the alternative ending of “Underland” is good only for breaking through the barrier of an hour of duration; quite paradoxical, considering the nature of the release, probably destined to beat the iron of the algorithm and milk the most loyal fans a little more.