For the second year in succession, Dutch symphonic metallers Delain are introducing a new band member on their British dates. Last year bassist Otto 'The Baron' Schimmelpenninck van der Oije joined up just before heading across the North Sea, and this year guitarist Timo Somers has made his live debut with the band in this country. The departure last year of Ewout Pieters was unexpected and personally, I was sorry to see him go. The group took a long time in choosing a successor on the six-string, so despite having seen the band before I was intrigued to see what the new axeman brought to the table.
Before all that, it was a long trip to the Midlands to Leamington Spa, somewhere I've never been before. The reason for the excursion was because my intended Delain gig (Manchester Academy 3) sold out before I had a chance to get a ticket! Usually, when a gig in the smaller venue sells out at Manchester University the act is bumped up to a bigger stage - not this time, the larger venue was booked for the same night so it was either not see Delain or go somewhere else. After I was blown away by the gig last year at Leeds, not seeing them wasn't an option! The Assembly venue is a nice hall, fairly ornate setting and a good sized stage for the band to perform on. I got there in plenty of time for the gig, intending to get on the barrier and got talking to several fans already outside. All of those who had been before said the venue was a good one, so I was looking forward to this show. Having pre-booked the ticket, it was a bit worrying that it wasn't possible to collect the ticket before the doors opened, and those fears were well-founded once they did let us in at 7:15. It only takes one person whose name can't be found on the list, and that led to the depressing sight of fans streaming in ahead while I was stuck in another queue! By the time I got in, the barrier had gone but I got in behind some of the folks I was talking to earlier. There wasn't too much time to get annoyed about it though, as opening act Lost in Thought came on while the hall was still filling up. I know nothing whatsoever about these guys, but their short set reminded me a little of Dream Theater. The singer had a good voice, the guitar player was excellent but maybe it was a bit too early, I didn't really get into them. Next up were Austrian metallers Serenity; this set kicked things up several gears, with a very polished set. Vocalist Georg Neuhauser made his grand entrance wearing a greatcoat, and soon got the crowd (by now filling up rapidly) going. They're another band I know very little about but they played extremely well, their music is hard to put into a neat 'symphonic' or 'progressive' box but if you want a reference point, I'd say they weren't a million miles removed from Queensryche. The set included not one but two duets; first up was former Xandria vocalist Lisa Middelhauve to perform 'Fairytales' with Neuhauser before she made way for none other than Charlotte Wessels, to sing 'Serenade of Flames'. Her appearance, with her hair up and dressed in what looked like a business suit, brought about a massive cheer from the crowd, although given that she provided vocals on that track for Serenity's album, it wasn't a total surprise to see her on stage with the guys. Guest appearances aside, Serenity went down really well and will doubtless be back again on their own terms soon. Delain came on stage at around 9:15 and opened their set with a new song. Provisionally titled 'Manson', it was one of three new tracks performed during the set. The band are due to record their third album after this run of dates, and as well as showcasing Timo Somers it was a chance to see how their new songs would go down with their increasingly-loyal fanbase. The new songs were spaced out throughout the set, with plenty of familiar stuff for the fans to enjoy, such as 'Stay Forever', Invidia', and 'April Rain'. Somers turned out to be a blaze of activity on the stage, headbanging away in unison with the other guys and frequently swapping places with the bassist. His playing stayed quite close to the recorded solos although he managed to find room for a few shreds - verdict, thumbs up! The other thing I did notice was that the 'growly' vocals previously performed by Pieters and before that, Ronald Landa, have been taken over by 'the Baron'. Only the clean male vocal line in 'Invidia' was sung by Timo Somers, but both guys did backing vocals behind Charlotte Wessels. Regardless of who is on the six-string, it is the flame-haired frontwoman that is far and away the main attraction. Once again she gave an assured performance, that honey-coated voice holding everyone captive. I said last year that she has everything in her locker to become a huge star in her own right; I still believe that now but for the present she is focusing on the next album with Delain. The new material does seem a bit of a departure, definitely heavier, but we'll only be able to judge properly once the record is released. There were a few changes to the set from what was played at Manchester; they've been performing a cover of the Cranberries' 'Cordell' but that was dropped at Leamington in favour of material from 'Lucidity'; 'Silhouette of a Dancer' and 'Shattered' were played instead. Personally I'd have loved to hear 'Come Closer' but, next time round please folks! The older songs did go down better, although the singer was visibly delighted with the reception she was getting. After ending the main set with 'Pristine', we got three songs in the encore. 'Sleepwalker's Dream' was followed by a Hietala-free rendition of 'Control The Storm' and finally, 'The Gathering' complete with tinsel falling on the crowd. A step up from last year's ticker tape during the same song! This was once again an excellent performance from a band rapidly growing in popularity on these shores. The element of surprise wasn't present for me this time, last year I came away completely blown away but it was no less enjoyable for that. A vocal talent such as that possessed by Charlotte Wessels deserves much more than a cult following; in a scene with many excellent female vocalists I rate her a cut above them all. Before she does go supernova though, I'd like a few more Delain albums and shows! One thing I didn't get to do last year was greet the band after the show; unbeknownst to me then they do meet and greets afterwards (provided the venue doesn't chuck everyone out immediately after the show) and this time, sticking around for a while meant I got the chance to meet the whole band. It was a pleasure to meet them all, Timo Somers looked very happy to be there especially. However, meeting Charlotte herself was a huge highlight - captivating when on stage, gracious when off. Definitely something to look back on if as I expect, she does reach the very top. Just one request though Charlotte/guys: play my home city before you become huge and end up playing in stadia!
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