The Netherlands are one of the world's foremost purveyors of the musical style that has come to be known as Symphonic Metal: epic, heavy riffs, soaring (usually female) vocals, and bombastic arrangements that evoke the string and brass sections of an orchestra. Check out our playlist HERE if you want to hear what that sounds like.
In the decade-plus since their creation, Delain has become one of the front bearers of a genre that include such acts as Within Temptation, Nigthwish and The Gathering.
They played a couple of tracks from their upcoming record Apocalypse and Chill, a few more from their current release Moonbathers, but the highlights sere undoubtedly the gorgeous gothic ballad Scarlet and the anthem set closer We Are The Others.
Vocalist Charlotte Wessels is an engaging frontwoman, and if her vocals are not as operatic as other singers in the same style, that makes the band's music a little more rock and roll.
This was the last night of the tour and the mood on stage was playful, but never at the expense of professionalism. The audience was loud and engaged throughout, banging their heads, jumping and singing during the whole concert.
When Apocalypse and Chill is released in February, they will embark on another tour that will take them to Hellfest, where they will bring their brand of melodic, epic Power Rock to the Metal masses. Last night in Paris, the masses came to them.