I first heard the name Delain when conducting an interview with Epica vocalist Simone Simons. She mentioned them as one of the standouts of the Netherlands' gothic metal scene. With their sophomore album, April Rain, I guess I'll be the judge of that.

Formed by former Within Temptation keyboardist Martijn Westerholt, the band features a vocalist, Charlotte Wessels, who sounds equally like Lacuna Coil's Cristina Scabbia when singing more accessible material and Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel when hitting the high notes during operatic songs. She is talented and a good singer—especially when her sexy accent shines through on the standout “Start Swimming”—but she doesn't firmly stand out from the already crowded scene.

Delain has a strong European sound with symphonic and orchestral elements. Westerholt is clearly the driving force of the band. “Stay Forever” could easily be a Within Temptation song from The Silent Force. The guitars are groovy and heavy, and most of the songs have catchy hooks. But in the end, April Rain has the trademarks of gothic metal, except it's performed at a high, memorable level. Standouts include “April Rain”; “Control the Storm,” featuring powerful classic metal male vocals; the “beauty and the beast” vocal trade off of “Virtue and Vice”; the aforementioned “Start Swimming”; and “Lost.”

Delain is a must own for fans of Within Temptation, Epica, Lullacry, Nighwish, Therion and Lacuna Coil.