Delerium - Mythologie

What once was a side project for Bill Leeb, the frontman of Front Line Assembly, easily took off later years as another project he would pull through with full force. Their 1999 single 'Silence' featuring Sarah McLachlan went on to dominate charts positioning itself as number one in five different countries with the Tiësto remix of the track ranked as the twelfth greatest dance record of all time by Mixmag readers. Throughout their career, Delerium has worked with various important figureheads in the industry (Niels van Gogh, Seven Lions, Airscape, etc.) and was on Nettwerk for their late nineties and millennial album releases. Their newest album Mythologie marks the first time the band has moved over to a new home: Metropolis Records. 

Now, the amount of talent packed onto this album is quite breathtaking: five different guest vocalists are featured on this album. Delerium fans will recognize the names Leah Randi (contributor to Front Line Assembly, Conjure One, bass player/vocalist for Pink, Abandoned Pools) as well as Jaël, which the remix of 'After All' her voice was featured on went to hit #1 on UK dance charts. Newcomers on this album are JES, Phildel, Mimi Page, and Geri Soriano-Lightwood who I will be talking of later. Nonetheless, each and every single one of these musicians bring along an impeccable and perfectly coordinated effort to Mythologie. 

Mimi Page is a singer, songwriter, producer, composer- in other words, she's a woman packed full of special abilities and she can do it all. Her music has appeared as the theme song for Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures, while she has scored for video games such as Fallout 4's expansion: Far Harbor. She keeps herself busy. Page appears on four songs on Delerium: 'Blue Fires', 'Angels', 'Made to Move', and 'Dark Visions'. Each of these songs are presented in electro-ambient format with Page's ghostly vocals forming an ethereal gateway between the mechanized world and the spiritual dwelling. Her voice could easily captivate even the most battle hardened soldiers with the sheer beauty of her tongue.

London-based singer, songwriter, and producer Phildel has had her music used by Apple and Verizon advertising campaigns. It is rather fascinating that she has grown up to be such a prolific musician considering music was banned in her home as a child. However, that did not stop her passion. Phildel is present on the tracks 'Zero' and 'Ritual'. 'Zero' presents itself as a IDM laced electronic chillout song with piano notes struck. Phildel graciously carries the song forward with crytal clear vocals that transcend humanity. She performs the same manners on 'Ritual', although the song seems have dragging electronics within it and a more ambient appeal. 

Jaël is from the Swiss band Lunik and her home country absolutely loves and adores her and decorated her with one platinum, two golds, and more acclamation for her recent solo debut.  Her contribution to Mythologie is spellbinding. The electronics are light and never take the mainstay; the cinematic presence only serves to further heighten the vocal prowess of this enchantress. 

JES is from the band Motorcycle and is based out of LA though her native State is New York, has her own radio mix show Unleash the Beast', and has recently created a new artist label Intoneation Records. JES co-wrote and sung two songs on the album: 'Stay' and 'Once In A Lifetime'. Both songs fall under the electropop belt and have top notch production value. I am going to use the word cinematic once more to describe the sound Delerium delivers on this album because it's awe inspiring. JES's chords are perfect and there's never a single word sung out of place. 

Geri Soriano-Lightwood is a Chicago Punk scene enthusiast who ventured into the trip-hop territory with her band Supreme Beings of Leisure. Her contribution to Mythologie came on the song 'Ghost Rquiem'. Acoustic elements, electronic trickles, and Lightwood's sung but also spoken word delivery took over the song. The song was decent but not as fascinating nor nearly as powerful as the other tracks presented on the album. Leah Randi's contribution on 'Continuum' may not seem as prominent as her vocals do not really show up in the track. Rather, she helped write a gorgeous, relaxing track that could fit a positive dream. 

Now, the only other track on the album that comes directly from Delerium with no outside influence is the track 'Seven Gates of Thebes'. You can expect a well produced electronic track with slow rolling bass hits, dragging electronics, reversed notes, and ambient hymns. 'Twas well done. 

Whether Mythologie is blinding your senses like a Siren from the Ancient Greeks or making your jaw drop with some of the best vocal talent song after song I have ever heard it is, simply put, astounding. 
Oct 08 2016