Delain are a Dutch symphonic metal band founded in 2002 by ex-Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Westerholt. Lucidity is their debut album and has many guest artists including Marco Hietala (Nightwish), Liv Kristine (Leaves' Eyes) and Sharon Den Adel (Within Temptation). The album opens with the song 'Sever', which is a brooding, atmospheric example of symphonic metal. The lyrics and vocals are almost haunting at first before the introduction of Marco Hietala's voice. Overall this song is a strong start to a good album. I particularly like the almost monk-like chanting that appears to be the bridge and outro for this song. The second song on ...  Read the complete review

As far as symphonic gothic metal bands go, Delain are among the most enjoyable, though still a little inescapably dull. Formed by ex-Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Westerholt who dominates the soundscape alongside by the pleasant vocals of Charlotte Wessels, this is a heavily symphonic band that thankfully avoids the operatic clichés of groups such as Nightwish, relying on something more atmospheric and frankly, less cheesy. All of the songs are performed at a relatively slow tempo and exude eloquence in their synthesised orchestral bombast, with only a couple of deviations from the standard formula. Opener 'Sever' is more orchestral, 'See Me in Shadow' ...  Read the complete review