Delain - Dance with the Devil (2024)

Continuing the momentum gained with their 2023 release “Dark waters”, Delain is back with a bombastic EP, titled “Dance with the Devil”. Showcasing the new incarnation of the band’s synth driven sound, this EP is far from a regular one as it delivers two brand new tracks, two reworked fan-favorites, nine live tracks, and two instrumentals. Packing plenty of bang for your buck, this release also foreshadows the band’s return to North America with Xandria in 2025, so be prepared for a party.

Opening with “Dance with the Devil”, we get the new bombastic and playful Delain with the charismatic Diana Leah settling into the band’s sound with her talented vocals and Martijn Westerholt really going wild with the synths. The lush “The Reaping” continues with a very crafty Synth-wave vibe alongside a hefty dose of distorted guitars and a good amount of catchiness. The band’s sound in these two new songs is quite explosive and leverages Diana’s vocals even better, creating masterful Symphonic Metal music.

Of the reworked fan-favorites, “Sleepwalkers Dream” stands out with a slightly different pace, and with Diana reshaping some of the vocal melodies to fit her singing style. This is one of our favorite ‘old’ Delain songs, and this new version is definitely good but still lacks some of the power that Charlotte has. Having seen the band live a couple of times on their new phase (photo gallery here), their energy is top notch and this is very well captured on live renditions of “The Cold”, “April Rain”, and “Control the Storm”, some of our favorite tracks.

As one of the longest EP’s we have ever reviewed, “Dance with the Devil” provides great value for your money and it showcases the band’s latest era with great grace and power. The live tracks alongside the new songs create a certain level of excitement for the band’s upcoming North American tour, and we will certainly be right there to see them again. If you are a fan of the band, this is definitely a good addition to the collection.

Label: Napalm Records

Release: November 8th, 2024

Genre: Symphonic Metal

Country: Netherlands