Delain – Lucidity (2006) – Review

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Lucidity is the first time the Dutch boys and girls of Delain really started to manifest themselves. And – WHAM – they produce something this good and with their very own brand. This is astonishing in a way, and yet again not surprising.

The band was founded by Martijn Westerholt back in 2002, who – I am told – had to leave Within Temptation after Mother Earth for health reasons. Most definitely, the change has been a good thing. And – as the saying goes – sometimes things seem to happen for a reason.  

As of the first track … [...] Click to raid more!

Xandria – Sacrificium (2014) – Review

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Who would have thought that Xandria would evolve in this way? Judging by the almost failed, but widely hyped album Neverworld’s End, I had no great hopes for their newest record Sacrificium.

Especially because the band likes to disband their frontwomen at a very rapid-fire pace. With that kind of turnover, you just will have trouble with succession and the delivery of quality work. Unless – of course – your vocalist is just a voice piece. And let’s hope that this is not the case with this band. Honi soit qui mal y pense! As we say in … [...] Click to raid more!

Nemesea – The Quiet Resistance (2011) – Review

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I am torn. The record I like, yet something is bothering me – especially in the second half of the album. Yet, the 2011 concoction The Quiet Resistance of the Dutch Gothic Metal outfit Nemesea clearly has us in its shiny claws. But something doesn’t quite sync. Only, what is it?

Clearly, In Control was a difficult record to stomach. Its pop-infused synth rock just couldn’t warm our cold metal hearts, and for cause. Yet, The Quiet Resistance captivated us from the get-go.

Pretty abundant oomph and energy, varied track lengths, hard and soft at pretty even play. They still like their urge … [...] Click to raid more!