DELIGHT'S, LAST TEMPTATION is DELIGHTFUL
Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 09/26/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"WOW!! Did you notice the extraordinary erotic cover art?
Last Temptation is Delight's debut album. While not quite as good as the two subsequent albums, it's not without merit. Beside the cover art I mean. Ok, so who is Delight?
Delight
Delight is one of the ubiquitous Femme-goth metal bands that are indigenous to Poland, the land of the Polka. Forget any stereotypes you may have, this and all the many other Femme-fronted Polish bands play a mean brand of Gothique-Symphonic to progressive metal and they seem to be the most prolific of that sub genre in all the world. My own favorite such band Artrosis with the sultry sexy lead singer, Medeah, is also from this hotbed of Femme metal. I will name others at the end of this review but lets get back to Delight.
As I mentioned, this is not up to Delight's subsequent work - after all it is their debut - but I think you'll agree, this is their sexiest album cover.
What has that to do with the music? I don't know, maybe it distracted them, it certainly distracts me! Where was I, oh yes, the album cover, no wait the music. Delight's usually up tempo, hard hitting and always a very pleasant, featuring the heavenly vocals of Paulina Maslanka and five other very capable musicians. Hell, I can't think, here's my distracted version of the album cover highlights: I mean best songs:
Last Temptation
All the songs on this album have pretty much the same characteristics, namely, melodic power metal with Paulina's marvelous vocals. It is fast, heavy, melodic, crunchy guitar-driven goth metal.
The arrangements are mostly clever and upbeat, including superb catchy lead guitar work and rocking power riffing and sparse background keyboard. The song-writing is good but not great - the presentations enhance a general metal edge arrangement.
Paulina is excellent, she is very strong and soaring and way out in front of the music, however, she does not exhibit the vocal control she does in subsequent releases.
I rate no songs below 6 but only four at 8 or above(richter scale). They are:
"Time of Revenge", best song (10)It has a little different feel with the vocals in time with an excellent chugging guitar, very lush, and Paulina also does background chanting to very strong Guitar work. An exciting piece and one of the best on all their albums
"Feel my hands
Touch my pale face
My touch is vulnerable like the dust
It brings you lust"
"Farewell" (8) one of the slower pieces, Paulina sings and talks and again the guitar is terrific as the tempo picks up.
"The time was a dispassionate observer
The frost was penetrating his thoughts
It saw what was hidden inside
His cold kisses made her blind"
"Shapes and Shadows" (8) This song has a nice catchy hook in the beginning, It is a medium fast pace strongly guitar laced number. I never realized how strong the guitars were in this album.
"I am young but I feel old age
I am at the beginning but I feel the end
Here I am the lamentable monument of pride
On the monument of world standing"
"The Lamentable Monument of Stone" (9) another medium tempo song with a pretty melody but still with a strong guitar and some keyboards. very nice.
BANDMEMBERS
Paulina Ma?lanka - vocal,
Jaros³aw Baran - solo guitar & drums ,
Sebastian Wójtowicz - rhythm guitar ,
Piotr Szymañski - bass guitar ,
Tomasz Polczyk - keyboard .
Packaging
This is only the second time I've ever mentioned the packaging in one of my reviews. The first time it was because it was special and so it is this time. I tend to prefer digipacks and cover artwork aside, this is a very nice container done in autumn color with pictures of all the band members etc. Very nice.
OTHER POLISH FEMME FRONTED GOTH METAL BANDS
As promised, here is a list of the Polish Femme Metal bands I know of: Artrosis, Bladflowerz, Centuria, Desdemona, Closterkeller, Moonlight, Fading Colours, Batalion D'Amour, Undish
CONCLUSION
After dragging this out to review and re-listening to it several times, I have no compunctions about recommending Last Temptation. It is actually better than I remember and would be a nice addition to the library of anyone who likes the combination of heavy metal and good female singing. Plus the artwork is inspiring!!!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1