Delphic - Acolyte
This album has been eagerly awaited since I heard Counterpoint back in April 2009. It will be released on 11th January, with the single, Doubt, released this week. It is now available to listen to on the band's MySpace page.
Clarion Call
This one starts the album, as it has started live sets too. It is a great opener, and at 1 minute 30 when it kicks in it is triumphant. It sets the tone for the rest of the album and is over way too soon.
Doubt
The new single, this sounds different to the version I had heard before. Doubt is brilliant and the phoneme sounds are simple, but work really well. I like the vocal style and the harmonies, which Delphic always work really hard on. It is like a sophisticated computer game soundtrack in the best possible sense and the first track I have ever played air guitar to (not cool I know.)
This Momentary
This track has pretty much been the staple of my Delphic playlist before this album, as I have the different remixes. The album version is very similar to the single version with a slight edit. The harmonies and vocals on this are amazing and the 'Let's do something real' part kicks in and just makes the song. I don't think I will ever get tired of listening to it.
Red Lights
Along with This Momentary I was singing along to this when I first saw Delphic live. I've been looking forward to this for months and it doesn't disappoint. Hearing the vocals clearly for the first time, I love the way there is the combination of distance and closeness in the music and lyrics. The song builds and more is added each time. I absolutely love it.
Acolyte
One of the new songs for me. It has a beautiful intro and starts to build up at 1 minute only to take us back down before going into it full at around 2 minutes. This is a brilliant mix of subtle vocals, electro sounds and dreamy chords. I love the twinkly outro. Fantastic.
Halcyon
This is gorgeous - full of a haunting longing. The drums in the second verse take it up a level and by the second chorus you will be on your feet. I love the guitar part. There is an extended outro, too.
Submission
This sounds quite different from the previous version, with classic computer type sounds complemented by the factory metal reverb. It takes the tempo down and craves understanding, with dark guitar that you can lose yourself in.
Counterpoint
This already feels like a classic. It's similar to the single version with a few tweaks. This song has two great build-ups. The first time I heard it I was inspired to create Delphic threads on forums and try to get people interested. That doesn't happen often. A brilliant song.
Ephemera
This is a more experimental piece with vocal effects which reminds me of Sigur Ros. It would have been a good piece of music to end the album. It is growing on me all the time.
Remain
This track to me sounds the most conventional and unlike the others, although it definitely fits in with the themes explored on the album. It is catchy but it still keeps a sense of darkness.
I partly knew what to expect with the album because I had heard a lot of the songs live, but it has still blown me away, and I love the new versions that have been recorded for it. I haven't been as excited over an album for a while. I just hope it is massive, as it deserves to be.
Order here:
http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/12160242/Acolyte/Product.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acolyte-Delphic/dp/B002USCGOS
