Tag Archives: Delain

Epica – Design Your Universe (2009) – Review

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Well, is it better than the other records or is it not? After Consign to Oblivion I grew a bit wary of what I was going to find in this Pandora’s box that this band usually delivers. Much to my relief, Epica‘s fourth studio album Design Your Universe is probably one of the better records – previous and past. It kind of sounds like a mix between Delain, Within Temptation and Nightwish fueled by top quality vitamins. They actually quite shamelessly erred on the latter’s territory.

But seriously, this is probably one of the most authentic and complex albums this side of The Phantom Agony.… [...] Click to raid more!

Xandria – India (2005) – Review

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When I read the late Twitter message from the German band Xandria a few days ago that they are now – in 2015 – heading out to India for the first time. That struck me as somewhat ironic. And this of course in light of their 2005 record and 3rd studio album India that has been on the market for … almost 10 years now. 

After their very successful 2nd album Ravenheart, it must have been decidedly difficult to create a fitting follow-on record to an already successful former offering. And – in addition – just about a short … [...] Click to raid more!

Epica – The Quantum Enigma (2014) – Review

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What a change since The Phantom Agony and the likes. Some ten years have passed and a few follow-on records, too. But this kind of change is still rough.

And – oops – gonna make friends again! Or perhaps not with all these august fans in action to protect and serve. And even the Revolver Mag giving The Quantum Enigma very high notes.

Well, I am torn on this album. And it is indeed a mixed bag that you get from the Dutch Symphonic Metal band Epica. No doubt about it.

For sure the production kinda rocks. But … [...] Click to raid more!

Delain – The Human Contradiction (2014) – Review

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Well, how to classify Delain‘s latest concoction The Human Contradiction? Still Delain, but a more sanitized, more mainstream version of their former, fresher self. And with former I mean before the album We are the Others that got itself a bit too much into the Pop Rock arena for its own good.

Their 2014 and 4th studio album The Human Contradiction very much reminds oneself of the look and feel of the latest Within Temptation development, but – perhaps – this is way too simplistic. Methinks that they actually did better than Within Temptation’s Hydra, which … [...] Click to raid more!