Apocalypse & Chill
Delain · 2020
67 min · 16 tracks · symphonic metal
Epic orchestral arrangements meld with heavy guitar riffs and soaring vocals, creating a dramatic landscape of symphonic metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Masters of Destiny — This track captures the album’s thematic core of empowerment and resilience, featuring poignant lyrics and anthemic choruses that resonate strongly with listeners.
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We Had Everything — A standout ballad that explores themes of loss and reflection, its emotional delivery combined with orchestration exemplifies Delain's lyrical depth and musicality.
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Vengeance — Blending aggressive instrumentals with haunting melodies, this track showcases the band's ability to balance darker themes with melodic hooks, embodying their signature sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong compositions and production but lacks cohesion due to its length and bonus tracks.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with heavy guitar riffs and orchestral arrangements, while the second half shifts to more atmospheric and introspective pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral versions of earlier songs, creating a contrast between the original and reimagined arrangements.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic progression with orchestral interludes
- wave-like pacing for immersive experience
- cinematic soundscapes for deep listening
- cathartic releases with heavy riffs
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer standalone singles over cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and evolution after lineup changes.
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2020, Apocalypse & Chill marks Delain's fifth studio album and their first since the departure of founding member and keyboardist Martijn Westerholt. This album showcases a new direction for the band, emphasizing both personal themes and expansive soundscapes while maintaining their signature symphonic metal style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nightwish· Epica· Within Temptation
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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We Had Everything
The narrative shifts from nostalgia to acceptance, revealing vulnerability in the face of heartbreak.
This progression illustrates a journey through grief toward resolution, showcasing Delain's lyrical sophistication in portraying complex emotions.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 One Second 3:37
- 2 We Had Everything 4:08
- 3 Chemical Redemption 4:39
- 4 Burning Bridges 4:14
- 5 Vengeance 4:52
- 6 To Live Is to Die 3:47
- 7 Let's Dance 4:07
- 8 Creatures 3:39
- 9 Ghost House Heart 2:59
- 10 Masters of Destiny 4:53
- 11 Legions of the Lost 5:17
- 12 The Greatest Escape 4:26
- 13 Combustion 5:25
- 14 Masters of Destiny (orchestra) 3:58
- 15 Burning Bridges (orchestra) 3:02
- 16 Vengeance (orchestra) 4:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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