Delain
London Islington Garage
21st March, 2010

Achilla’s seven-song set laid the way, with intricate prog-metal on the likes of Arashi and Timeless, but the quintet’s lack of keyboards was highlighted as Dutch quintet Delain took the stage. Their fulsome symphonic metal sound, shaped by ex- Within Temptation’s ivory-tinkler Marti Westerholt, saw singer Charlotte Wessels command and captivate during a 16-song, 80-minute set culled from their two albums. The fiery frontwoman, flanked by guitarist/bassist atop the monitors for opener Invidia, prompted a clapalong headlong Stay Forever, then led a call and response in the thumping Frozen. Silhouette Of A Dancer maintained momentum, while Ms. Wessels headbanged wildly through Go Away and hit the high notes with aplomb on The Gathering, awash in a confettiburst. Sleepwalker’s Dream ranks with the romping best of Nightwish, while a three-song encore took in the belting Lost and climactic Pristine, with streamer-burst. Explosive.