Delain // Dark Waters Over UK / Ireland Tour 2024 // Live Review // The Limelight // Belfast
Winter has come, the drive into Belfast was not a joy but a sleet-infested journey that signals adios to the milder weather. The journey was better than expected as I landed outside my home from home, The Limelight Belfast, where this evening we have Delain headlining, this will be my first time catching these Dutch symphonic metallers in the flesh. I recently reviewed their new EP/Live Album ‘Dance With The Devil’, which gave me a taste of what to expect.
In tow, we have two very different artists in support, Stone Broken a British rock band that has graced this stage before, a band of real quality who have been grafting up and down the UK clocking up the miles and building up a fierce reputation. But opening for us tonight we have Damian Wilson, a British singer and songwriter / Troubadour who is blowing the roof off this place with a set of lungs I’ve not heard in quite a while.
I love moments like this, capturing pure talent in the flesh for the very first time. There only ever is one first time and you just have to soak it up and let it envelope you like a warm cosy blanket on a cold winter night such as this. From the moment Damian started singing he has the room captivated from his acoustic numbers to his glorious storytelling and a Capella number that takes the breath away.Damian’s set is short and sweet but makes a lasting impression, his family originally from this part of the world tells me that it won’t be long before he’s back on local shores once again. A glorious rendition of ‘Homegrown’ brings his set to a close and Belfast has welcomed in as one of their own, if you get the opportunity to catch him anywhere along the road do so, you’ll not regret it.
Up next Brit rockers Stone Broken, back in Belfast once again these guys ( & doll ) put on a kick-ass show. Right from the off these guys rock! Every song is an absolute banger, I would like them to be a UK version of everybody’s favourite Canadian band, no not Bryan Adams, no not Billy Talent! The other one, Nickleback! They have this gargantuan sound that is so melodic and easy on the ear, that you can’t help but get pulled in by these anthemic sounding tracks. A really polished band, they have it all done to a T, the live presence, the sound, the songwriting, Stone Broken has got their signature sound and it works. A great band, a great set, Belfast is fully on board with Stone Broken singing every lyric they can at the top of their lungs in support of these Brit rockers, a blistering set from start to finish there was barely time to catch your breath, pedal to the floor Stone Broken took it to another level and we are well ready for the mighty Delain to finish us off.
The guys on their team scramble to get the stage ready for Delain’s arrival, The Limelight II is a great venue from the perspective of a fan, you can get up close and personal with your fav artists which is great, for me as a tog/reviewer is presented its own challenges, there is no pit, they have a pit but choose to push it up against the stage, so actually clambering over it is a logistical nightmare and a health and safety issue! And if you get your fat ass in there, you’re then looking up the nose of the artist, not flattering at all. But this is the way, so somehow I have to make it work, Delain has great visuals on tap, all artists in the band have led mic stands, the drum kit has led’s, so do the keys and synth setup, it looks great, but someone in the venue decided that due to this the band didnt really need any light on them, the horror on the poor tour togs face kinda said it all. But alas, this is the way.
The band hit the stage and just took flight! There’s no other way to describe it now symphonic metal would not be in my wheelhouse generally, but as a live entity, I appreciate all genres of music, you get to see what it is all about, feel the full force and effect of a band like Delain in full flow. But what I love even more is when a band like Delain do what they do so well. They are majestic live, the sound is impeccable, the vocals are glorious, and the musicianship of each band member is on another level. The setlist is huge! The band have 17 odd tracks to slay the Northern Irish crowd with, and they do just that. Smiles as wide as a Chesire cat, the band get down to business and rarely takes a breath, after around three songs, frontwoman Diana Leah stops to say hello to the Belfast crowd and acknowledges their first time in the city, but really, this was all about the music. The band is making a sonic statement, playing classic Delain tracks as well as newer material from their latest offering. I mentioned previously I had recently reviewed their latest EP, which consists of a number of live tracks, but that just does not touch the sides of experiencing it live in the room.
Delain is a tour de force live, the music is so beautifully melodic and gnarly all at the same time, hefty riffage and punchy synths add girth and weight to the tracks but Linda Leah’s soft vocal delivery is what gels it all together to create this beautiful sonic tapestry live. A thoroughly enjoyable night of music, from Damian Wilson’s charm and glorious musicality to the punch in the chest from the killer Stone Broken, Delain just topped it all off with a musical education you didn’t realise you needed. I am a convert! I shook my little toosh off into the night warbling away like a man possessed. The good news is they play Dublin tonight and then 3 dates across the UK, so you still have time to get on the Delain gravy train! I highly recommend it, especially with the current support on this tour, it’s a great night’s music all around and well worth your hard-earned money.
https://linktr.ee/Delainofficial
Photos : Mark McGrogan
