EP Review: Delain – Dance With The Devil (Napalm Records)

Dutch metal maestros Delain are set to captivate fans with their upcoming EP, ‘Dance with the Devil’, due for release on November 8th, 2024 via Napalm Records. This, the second release with a revitalised lineup, features two brand new tracks, two newly-presented favourites, nine electrifying live performances, and two instrumental bonus tracks.

EP or not, there is a lot of bang for your buck here, even if the majority is for the hardcore fanbase only. Which is fine, it’s who Delain are aiming this record at as they continue to showcase their new line-up, and in the case of the new tracks, the direction they are heading in.

A new era that sees the band confidently striding forward with focus and drive as they unleash the two new efforts, the title track and The Reaping. Regardless of the line-up change, they continue to showcase the dynamic (and familiar) symphonic and cinematic metal sound that they are so well known for. Both tracks offer up plenty of catchiness crafted around heavy instruments, epic vocals, and big melodies.

No complaints here and certainly no complaints with what comes afterwards either. First, Delain going all the way back to their debut record, ‘Lucidity’, taking the track Sleepwalkers Dream, rerecording and remastering it, and then having new vocalist Diana Leah sing in favour of original Delain vocalist, Charlotte Wessels. No comparisons are needed as both vocalists are immense and both the original and this version have their own merits.

Then, it’s all about live as the breadth of the Delain back-catalogue (limited, of course) is explored and the majestic stance this band has in that environment is on clear display. Burning Bridges, The Quest and the Curse, Queen of Shadow, and A Moth to a Flame are just some of the big hits being played here.

Which is where this EP will end for most, unless you pick up the digipak edition which features a few more tracks. Namely instrumental versions of Dance with the Devil and The Reaping, which are a nice bonus to have, but lacking the incredible vocals of Diana Leah, they don’t have staying power.

Finally, to cap off a substantial EP, it’s an alternate ending version of Underland, the final track from their 2023 album, Dark Waters. A very cool idea and something that more bands should explore. That’s Delain for you, always ahead of the symphonic metal curve and ensuring that fans have no excuse not be getting used to their revitalised lineup now.

Delain – Dance with the Devil Track Listing:

1. Dance with the Devil
2. The Reaping
3. Sleepwalkers Dream – Rerecorded and Remastered with Vocals by Diana Leah
4. The Cold – Live
5. Burning Bridges – Live
6. The Quest and the Curse – Live
7. April Rain – Live
8. Invidia – Live
9. Queen of Shadow – Live
10. Your Body is a Battleground – Live
11. A Moth to a Flame – Live
12. Control the Storm – Live
13. Dance with the Devil – Instrumental Version
14. The Reaping – Instrumental Version
15. Underland – Alternate Ending

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