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We Are The Others (Special Edition)

We Are The Others (Special Edition)

BY Delain

(Customer Reviews)
$14.00
SKU: SR3062
Label:
Sensory Records
Category:
Gothic Metal
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Fronted by the fiery-tressed Charlotte Wessels, Delain is the brainchild of ex-Within Temptation keyboardist, Martijn Westerholt. Originally conceived by Westerholt as an all-star studio project, the success of the debut album Lucidity tipped his hand and Delain evolved into a full blown band. The immediate impact of their debut “Lucidity”, put Delain on tour. An instant live hit, the band’s popularity continued to grow with the release of their 2nd album “April Rain”. The band found themselves on tour through out Europe, USA, Mexico, and Brazil. Highlights of the tour included festival performances at Wacken Open Air, Sonisphere, Lowlands, ProgPower USA, and Hellfest. As the band’s popularity grew they evolved from a support act for Kamelot and Epica into full fledged headliners across Europe.

“We Are The Others” is the band’s third album. It was produced by the team of Jacob Hellner (Rammstein, Apocalyptica), Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikstrom (Scorpions, Backyard Babies). At first glance some song titles on “We Are The Others” may sound mysterious and conspiratorial, but there is a very serious background: The lyrics to the title-track were inspired by the hate-crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their goth looks. Sophie died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shock waves throughout the world. Delain’s response to this tragic case is expressed through the song We Are The Others.

The band met Fear Factory’s Burton C. Bell at Wacken Open Air. As a result he guests on the track “Where Is The Blood”. The Sensory special digipak edition features four bonus tracks. The steampunk influenced cover art was created by noted pop surrealist Glenn Arthur.

Product Review

“We Are The Others” is the long-anticipated new album from Dutch symphonic metal band Delain. Originally slated for release last spring, a shake up at the band’s label, Roadrunner Records, caused the album to be delayed with no information on when it would be released. Through the power of social media, Delain’s hardcore fans created a Facebook petition page for Roadrunner to release the album. Eventually, the label relented and ‘We Are The Others” has been released (it will be available through Sensory in the U.S. on July 3rd). Well after several spins, I can tell you that WATO was worth the wait! The trademark Delain melodic metal sound is still there although the symphonic elements have diminished slightly and new influences have been added to the mix. Lead vocalist Charlotte Wessels sounds more confident and is in fine voice on the albums twelve tracks. The guitars have been downtuned and have more of an “Evergrey” crunch to them. The first song “Mother Machine” has an industrial/steampunk intro and a heavy guitar riff kicks in. Charlotte’s sultry vocal sings about living in a cold and heartless world with the anology of a steelworker factory. The lyrics fit the song perfectly and the breakdown at the end of the song is arguably the heaviest thing that Delain has ever recorded. “Electricity” has a great mid-tempo trademark Delain chorus and keyboardist Martijn Westerholt’s trademark ivory tinkling adds the melody. The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the brutal death of British teen Sophie Lancaster, who was beaten to death simply for having a “goth” look. Knowing the meaning behind the lyrics makes the song all the more powerful when Wessels sings the first line; “I’m walking with Sophie tonight. She lives in the air that I breathe. I can’t get it out of my mind, how you were left to bleed.” It’s a great outsiders anthem and the lyrics gave me goosebumps. “Milk and Honey” has a sexy sensual vibe with industrial overtones but still maintains the Delain sound. On “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” (no, not the Pat Benatar song), Charlotte’s pop sensibilities take the center stage as she further distances herself from her symphonic metal peers. The album slows down with “I Want You”, a dark and twisted tale of love and obsession. For fans of the symphonic style it’s the closest Delain come to the genre that they get placed into. Fear Factory main man Burton C. Bell adds his distinctive vocals to the rockin’ “Where’s The Blood?” While not having the same effect as past collaborations with Tarot/Nightwish’s Marco Hietala, Bell and Wessels voices blend well together. Delan take on the subject of today’s “Twitter/Facebook” obsessed society on “ the up-tempo Generation Me”. “Babylon” is an epic metal song in the Delain tradition. The pop sound returns on “Are You Done With Me?”, which has a catchy sing-a-long refrain. The beginning notes of “Get The Devil Out of Me” bring to mind the title track to Delain’s last album “April Rain”, but soon enough it distinguishes itself with an infectious chorus. Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije makes his presence known with a thumping bass line on album closer “Not Enough” which is an appropriately titled way to end the album. The special edition digipak contains four live tracks including “The Gathering” and “Control the Storm” featuring Marco Hietala. Having been lucky enough to see these duets performed live at ProgPower XI in Atlanta in 2010, I can say they have more of a powerful punch in a live setting. Also included is the live show staples ‘Shattered” and “Sleepwalkers Dream”. With “We Are The Others” Delain has created their finest achievement. It’s high time that the band gets recognized as a major force in melodic metal and Charlotte Wessels proves she belongs at the top of her class of vocalist peers. Perhaps it’s time for Delain to finally return to this side of the pond to conquer the U.S. concert stages. Rating: 10 “We Are The Others” is the long-anticipated new album from Dutch symphonic metal band Delain. Originally slated for release last spring, a shake up at the band’s label, Roadrunner Records, caused the album to be delayed with no information on when it would be released. Through the power of social media, Delain’s hardcore fans created a Facebook petition page for Roadrunner to release the album. Eventually, the label relented and ‘We Are The Others” has been released (it will be available through Sensory in the U.S. on July 3rd). Well after several spins, I can tell you that WATO was worth the wait! The trademark Delain melodic metal sound is still there although the symphonic elements have diminished slightly and new influences have been added to the mix. Lead vocalist Charlotte Wessels sounds more confident and is in fine voice on the albums twelve tracks. The guitars have been downtuned and have more of an “Evergrey” crunch to them. The first song “Mother Machine” has an industrial/steampunk intro and a heavy guitar riff kicks in. Charlotte’s sultry vocal sings about living in a cold and heartless world with the anology of a steelworker factory. The lyrics fit the song perfectly and the breakdown at the end of the song is arguably the heaviest thing that Delain has ever recorded. “Electricity” has a great mid-tempo trademark Delain chorus and keyboardist Martijn Westerholt’s trademark ivory tinkling adds the melody. The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the brutal death of British teen Sophie Lancaster, who was beaten to death simply for having a “goth” look. Knowing the meaning behind the lyrics makes the song all the more powerful when Wessels sings the first line; “I’m walking with Sophie tonight. She lives in the air that I breathe. I can’t get it out of my mind, how you were left to bleed.” It’s a great outsiders anthem and the lyrics gave me goosebumps. “Milk and Honey” has a sexy sensual vibe with industrial overtones but still maintains the Delain sound. On “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” (no, not the Pat Benatar song), Charlotte’s pop sensibilities take the center stage as she further distances herself from her symphonic metal peers. The album slows down with “I Want You”, a dark and twisted tale of love and obsession. For fans of the symphonic style it’s the closest Delain come to the genre that they get placed into. Fear Factory main man Burton C. Bell adds his distinctive vocals to the rockin’ “Where’s The Blood?” While not having the same effect as past collaborations with Tarot/Nightwish’s Marco Hietala, Bell and Wessels voices blend well together. Delan take on the subject of today’s “Twitter/Facebook” obsessed society on “ the up-tempo Generation Me”. “Babylon” is an epic metal song in the Delain tradition. The pop sound returns on “Are You Done With Me?”, which has a catchy sing-a-long refrain. The beginning notes of “Get The Devil Out of Me” bring to mind the title track to Delain’s last album “April Rain”, but soon enough it distinguishes itself with an infectious chorus. Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije makes his presence known with a thumping bass line on album closer “Not Enough” which is an appropriately titled way to end the album. The special edition digipak contains four live tracks including “The Gathering” and “Control the Storm” featuring Marco Hietala. Having been lucky enough to see these duets performed live at ProgPower XI in Atlanta in 2010, I can say they have more of a powerful punch in a live setting. Also included is the live show staples ‘Shattered” and “Sleepwalkers Dream”. With “We Are The Others” Delain has created their finest achievement. It’s high time that the band gets recognized as a major force in melodic metal and Charlotte Wessels proves she belongs at the top of her class of vocalist peers. Perhaps it’s time for Delain to finally return to this side of the pond to conquer the U.S. concert stages.
- 2012-06-27 15:42
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