Baltimore, MD – Love European symphonic metal? If so, hopefully you had the chance to catch Delain and Xandria, with the support of California based Edge of Paradise on their most recent tour! Delain and Xandria were both on my European bucket list, so I knew I was in for a treat at the Baltimore Soundstage for their March 24, 2025 tour stop.
Having caught Edge of Paradise a couple years back at Blue Ridge Rock Fest, I knew the night was going to kick off with a bang. The band, consisting of Margarita Monet (vocals), Dave Bates (guitar), David Ruiz (guitar), Jamie Moreno (drums), and Kenny Lockwood (bass), started the night with “Prophecy Unbound” and never looked back. A highlight of their set was the appearance of Ben V with “Give it to Me (Mind Assassin)“.
Edge of Paradise Gallery
Edge of Paradise Setlist
Prophecy Unbound
The Other Side of Fear
Hologram
Death Note
Falling Light
Give it to Me (Mind Assassin)
The Unknown
Next up for the night was the German symphonic metal band, Xandria. Appearing alongside the headliner on my bucket list, they were the perfect act to get the Soundstage crowd ready for the headliner. Marco Heubaum (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Ambre Vourvahis (vocals), Rob Klawonn (guitar), Tim Schwarz (bass), and Dimitrios Gatsios (drums) took the stage to “You Will Never Be Our God” and proceeded to symphonocize the audience!!
Xandria’s set included old and new to the delight of all. “Universal” and “Two Words” showcased their transition to Ambre in the most delightful way. Their set concluded with the song that put them on by must see list, “Nightfall“. We were ready, the night was still young!!
Xandria Gallery
Xandria Setlist
You Will Never Be Our God
Reborn
Universal
200 Years
Two Worlds
Live the Tale
Nightfall
Ahead of schedule, Delain appeared. Martijn Westerholt (keyboards), Sander Zoer (drums), Ronald Landa (guitars, backing vocals, harsh vocals), Ludovico Cioffi (bass, backing vocals, harsh vocals), and Diana Leah (lead vocals) took control starting off with the epic sounding, “The Cold“.
I must admit, I have a weakness for European symphonic metal. Anyone who has read some of my previous articles knows I would love to make a trip to Wacken, in my opinion, the Mecca of symphonic metal. With that said, getting little bits and pieces of the Wacken experience, is not a bad thing. It just makes me want more.
Delain played a mix of old and new, including “Suckerpunch” and “The Reaping“, their most recent single. Next, Diana took took the lead on a “Dance With The Devil” before “Burning Bridges” and “Creatures“.
Classic Delain included in the mix were “Stardust” and “Get the Devil Out of Me“. The latter which had the Baltimore Soundstage crowd creating a little seismic disturbance jumping along to the music.
Before going into “The Gathering” they introduced a little reality stating that it was a Monday and many had to go to work the next day. When asked if we were tired, the resounding response was a Soundstage “F?ck No!”.
Rounding out the night, the set included “Don’t Let Go“, “Moth to a Flame“, and “Not Enough“.
Delain Gallery
Of course, they were not really done. The night came to an end with the song that I think defines what it means to be a metalhead in so many ways, “We Are The Others” which has a wonderful message. We are all different and there is nothing wrong with that. This night, like so many metal nights I have been part of, was a gathering of the others in the most delightful way. There are so many influences trying to tear us apart, metal, and music in general, can bring us all together. A great conclusion to a great night.
Check out “Moth to a Flame” below
Delain Setlist
The Cold
Suckerpunch
The Reaping
Dance With the Devil
Burning Bridges
Creatures
Sleepwalkers Dream
Stardust
Get the Devil Out of Me
Your Body Is a Battleground
Queen of Shadow
The Gathering
Don’t Let Go
Moth to a Flame
Lucidity Medley
Not Enough
We Are the Others
