Delain - Hunter's Moon (2019)

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Delain - Hunter's Moon (2019)

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Metal music is home to a beloved, traditional, unapologetic sound. One that’s given birth to a plethora of sub-genres across its evolution. From Progressive to Pirate Metal, unique juxtapositions and fusions have often further blended many of these sub-genres, tilting heads and peaking curiosity in the process, giving this once niche genre one of the widest sonic pallets in music. Among these sub-genres, the aptly named Symphonic Metal marries operatic and orchestral components to Metal’s roots, lending wild symphonic flourishes to its weighted grounding. Outfits such as Delain, Nightwish, Within Temptation and Epica, to name but a few, lead the movement as Symphonic Metal continues to flourish in 2019, sonically delivering something else entirely. Once again Delain are set to contribute to that rich tradition as February 22nd sees the Dutch symphonic veterans release ‘Hunter’s Moon‘, the third installment following on from 2016’s ‘Lunar EP’ and ‘Moonbathers’, rounding out the band’s ambitious trilogy. Yet, if it was a long and winding road to get here, with some spectacular views along on the way, this ending feels somewhat anticlimactic.

Even so, if ‘Hunter’s Moon’ serves as a glimpse into what the bands next full-length studio album might sound like, there may yet be some cause for excitement. Title track “Hunters Moon” shows Delain at their delightfully catchy and spellbinding best. Due in no small part to Charlotte Wessels, whose vocal delivery never fails to captivate and allure, there is no exception to be found here either.

Exclusive to this release, ‘Hunters Moon’ sees band guitarists Timo Somers and Merel Bechtold stepping to the forefront and composing two tracks. Somers’ “The Silence Is Mine” presents a lengthy and hypnotic intro built around keys layer Martijn Westerholt that generates anticipation for what is to come. Though what comes is a rather short burst of slugging energy consisting of double kicks by drummer Joey Marinde Boer and consistent soloing that feels more like studio noodling or a warm up than it does a great Delain track.
Similarly, Bechtold’s “Art Kills”, is also ushered in by a keys intro. Thankfully that’s the only area in which it follows its predecessor. “Art Kills” works hard to meet the same caliber of the bands best numbers, with its charged guitars and dynamic vocals, using its solos sparingly and its hooks masterfully. But the full force of the punch fails to carry through. If stepping up to the plate was artistically a brave move by Delain’s axemen, this opportunity feels squandered, sounding as if it was all intended to display their own playing talents as opposed to writing two great songs. In complete contrast, leading single “Masters of Destiny,” while it doesn’t represent the band at their most upbeat, thrives in capturing a more haunting, mystical and dramatic side to their music. Had the EP in its entirety met the benchmark set by its title track and first offering, something special may well have blossomed.
‘Hunter’s Moon’ offers, in part, a glimpse into what the next chapter of Delain may look like. Yet given the 2017 release of their ‘A Decade of Delain: Live at Paradiso’, the wealth of live tracks tagged on to the tail end of this half fleshed out EP feels unnecessary. Had fans been left to stew in their anticipation, and had the band used that time to flesh out one exceptional album as opposed to what feels like two great and two rushed tracks, ‘Hunter’s Moon’ might have made some serious waves. For if this effort shows some promising potential for things to come, it also raises some worries too, with the moment at hand feeling severely underwhelming.

by Carl O'Rourke, metalwani.com

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Delain - Hunter's Moon (2019)

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Delain - Hunter's Moon (2019)

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