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Rating:
Describing this album in a small space without getting lost in digressions and praise seems improbable, but I'll try.
Since the first album of Within Temptation, things have changed. Over the years, the band's sound has evolved, as it naturally should, for better or worse, it's not for me to say. In this new chapter of the band's discography, those expecting deep male voices like in "The Gatekeeper" might be disappointed, while others just have to dive into listening to "The Heart Of Everything," which marks a more metal turn compared to tradition, without losing the right contribution given by the atmospheres, sometimes so understated, sometimes truly captivating, enhanced by the strength of the lyrics. I would also like to emphasize the effectiveness of the orchestral accompaniment, which makes the melodies majestic and solemn, yet without overshadowing them: truly remarkable.
The album begins with "The Howling," and the choice to open with this song immediately proves excellent, truly beautiful. A dark atmosphere, interesting rhythmic work; Sharon Den Adel immediately proves her excellent voice and interpretative charisma. It continues with "What have you done," where Sharon duets with Keith Caputo of Life of Agony, in a song reminiscent of Evanescence (and this makes me cringe, I never wanted to make such a comparison). Everything is decent, not particularly innovative but sharp. It follows with "Frozen," a rather slow opening track that continues with powerful riffs softened by an orchestral background, for an extremely enjoyable result. With "Our Solemn Hour," in my opinion the best song on the album, well-structured and powerful, Within Temptation reach a very high level of expressiveness. The choral background and the contrast it creates with Sharon's voice are stunning. The fifth track is "The Heart of Everything," which starts with the best intentions, with a very gothic atmosphere that continues even in the instrumental interludes, then Sharon's voice, following a more aggressive line here, does not always manage to seem appropriate, at least in this song, with which she nonetheless demonstrates a certain vocal versatility. "Hand of Sorrow" opens very slowly, then continues with smooth and gripping vocals. One of the best songs, also in terms of lyrics. "The Cross" starts in a very curious way, with a voice challenging a distorted guitar over a hallucinatory background; it creates a very "metal" and at the same time mysterious atmosphere. Sampled voices for "Final Destination", in a very hard and powerful piece. "All I Need" is perhaps the most pop-leaning song, not ugly for that reason, but perhaps not the most successful on the album. Sharon's voice nevertheless elevates its fortunes.
"The Truth Beneath the Rose" starts off very epically, an excellent track, along with its lyrics and the great closure entrusted to the orchestra. An extremely important contribution to the entire album is provided by the dark voices of the choir, certainly a strong point. The latest effort from our Dutch friends closes with "Forgiven", a beautiful slow song where Sharon's voice, accompanied by a piano, engages in delicate vocalizations. A very moving, very melancholic song, which to an inattentive listener might seem banal, but truly dramatic in its lyrics and accompaniment.
Once again, Within Temptation leave us pleasantly surprised and offer us this "The Heart of Everything," which will undoubtedly represent a very important phase in their evolution.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 The Howling (05:33)
We've been seeing what you wanted, got us cornered right now
Fallen asleep from our vanity, might cost us our lives
I hear they're getting closer
Their howls are sending chills down my spine
And time is running out now
They're coming down the hills from behind
When we start killing
It's all coming down right now
From the nightmare we've created,
I want to be awakened somehow
(I want to be awakened right now!)
When we start killing it all will be falling down
From the Hell that we're in
All we are is fading away
When we start killing...
We've been searching all night long but there's no trace to be found
It's like they all have just vanished but I know they're around
I feel they're getting closer
Their howls are sending chills down my spine
And time is running out now
They're coming down the hills from behind
When we start killing
It's all coming down right now
From the nightmare we've created
I want to be awakened somehow
(I want to be awakened right now!)
When we start killing it all will be falling down
From the Hell that we're in
All we are is fading away
When we start killing...
When we start killing...
I feel they're getting closer
Their howls are sending chills down my spine
And time is running out now
They're coming down the hills from behind
The sun is rising
The screams have gone
Too many have fallen
Few still stand tall
Is this the ending of what we've begun?
Will we remember what we've done wrong?
When we start killing
It's all coming down right now
From the nightmare we've created
I want to be awakened somehow
(I want to be awakened right now!)
When we start killing it all will be falling down
From the Hell that we're in
All we are is fading away
When we start killing...
When we start killing...
When we start killing...
02 What Have You Done (feat. Keith Caputo) (05:13)
''Would you mind if I hurt you?
Understand that I need to
Wish that I had other choices
Than to harm the one I love''
What have you done now?
I know I'd better stop trying
You know that there’s no denying
I won't show mercy on you now
I know I should stop believing
I know that there's no retrieving
Its over now
What have you done?
What have you done now?
I, I've been waiting for someone like you
But now you are slipping away ...oh (What have you done now!)
Why, why does fate make us suffer?
There's a curse between us, between me and you
What have you done! What have you done!
What have you done! What have you done!
What have you done now?
What have you done! What have you done!
What have you done! What have you done!
What have you done now?
Would you mind if I killed you?
Would you mind if I tried to?
Cause you have turned into my worst enemy
You carry hate that I don't feel
It's over now
What have you done?
What have you done now!
I, I've been waiting for someone like you
But now you are slipping away ...oh (What have you done now!)
Why, why does fate make us suffer?
There's a curse between us, between me and you
What have you done! What have you done!
What have you done! What have you done!
What have you done now?
What have you done! What have you done!
What have you done! What have you done!
What have you done now?
I will not fall, won't let it go
We will be free when it ends
I, I've been waiting for someone like you
But now you are slipping away ...oh (What have you done now!)
Why, why does fate make us suffer?
There's a curse between us, between me and
You. I've been waiting for someone like you
But now you are slipping away ...oh (What have you done now!)
Why, why does fate make us suffer?
There's a curse between us, between me and you
03 Frozen (04:28)
I can’t feel my senses
I just feel the cold
All colors seem to fade away
I can’t reach my soul
I would stop running, If knew there was a chance
It tears me apart to sacrifice it all but I’m forced to let go
Tell me I’m frozen but what can I do?
Can’t tell the reasons I did it for you
When lies turn into truth I sacrificed for you
You say that I’m frozen but what can I do?
I can feel your sorrow
You won’t forgive me,
but I know you’ll be all right
It tears me apart that you will never know but I have to let go
Tell me I’m frozen but what can I do?
Can’t tell the reasons I did it for you
When lies turn into truth I sacrificed for you
You say that I’m frozen but what can I do?
Everything will slip way
Shattered peaces will remain
When memories fade into emptiness
Only time will tell its tale
If it all has been in vain
I can’t feel my senses
I just feel the cold
Frozen...
But what can I do?
Frozen...
Tell me I’m frozen but what can I do?
Can’t tell the reasons I did it for you
When lies turn into truth I sacrificed for you
You say that I’m frozen, frozen...
04 Our Solemn Hour (04:17)
("I speak to you for the first time as Prime Minister in a solemn hour for the life of our country, of our empire, of our allies, and, above all, of the cause of Freedom.")
Sanctus Espiritus redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus! Sanctus Espiritus! Sanctus Espiritus!
In my darkest hours I could not foresee
That the tide could turn so fast to this degree
Can’t believe my eyes
How can you be so blind?
Is the heart of stone, no empathy inside?
Time keeps on slipping away and we haven’t learned
So in the end now what have we gained?
Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve,
can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?
Are they themselves to blame, the misery, the pain?
Didn’t we let go, allowed it, let it grow?
If we can’t restrain the beast which dwells inside
it will find it’s way somehow, somewhere in time
Will we remember all of the suffering
Cause if we fail it will be in vain
Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve,
can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?
("A tremendous battle is raging in France and Flanders. The Germans, by a remarkable combination of air bombing and heavily armoured tanks, have broken through the French defences north of the Maginot Line, and strong columns of their armoured vehicles are ravaging the open country, which for the first day or two was without defenders. They have penetrated deeply and spread alarm and confusion in their track.")
Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve,
can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?
Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour (Solemn hour!)
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us (All around us!)
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve,
can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?
06 Hand of Sorrow (05:36)
The child without a name grew up to be the hand
To watch you, to shield you or kill on demand
The choice he’d made he could not comprehend
His blood a grim secret they had to command
He’s torn between his honor and the true love of his life
He prayed for both but was denied
So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind?
So many years have past, who are the noble and the wise?
Will all our sins be justified?
The curse of his powers tormented his life
Obeying the crown was a sinister price
His soul was tortured by love and by pain
He surely would flee but the oath made him stay
He’s torn between his honor and the true love of his life
He prayed for both but was denied
So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind?
So many years have past, who are the noble and the wise?
Will all our sins be justified?
Please forgive me for the sorrow, for leaving you in fear
For the dreams we had to silence, that’s all they’ll ever be
Still I’ll be the hand that serves you
Though you’ll not see that it is me
So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed
Was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind?
So many years have past, who are the noble and the wise?
Will all our sins be justified?
07 The Cross (04:51)
Nothing’s ever changed, you still turn away
You’ve washed your hands, you’ve made that all too clear
You just keep on living this lie
You refuse to see, you’re denying me
the cross I bear but you don’t seem to care
Even Judas knew he had lied
I keep wondering why
I’m still calling your name through my tears
Why have you waited to embrace me my dear?
Cold is your silence, denying what is real
I’m still wondering why
I’m still calling your name my dear
I’m sorry if you can’t stand the naked truth
All you see is how you want it to be
So you keep on living your life
Release me from this cross after all these years
Oh call my name and help me with this weight
Even though it comes far too late
I keep wondering why
I’m still calling your name through my tears
Why have you waited to embrace me my dear
Cold is your silence, denying what is real
I’m still wondering why I’m still calling your name
and I wonder, oh I wonder ...
In my heart I still hope you will open the door
You can purify it all, answer my call
Why? Why?
Why have you waited to embrace me my dear?
Cold is your silence, denying what is real
I’m still wondering why I’m still calling your name
and I wonder, oh I wonder ...
In my heart I still hope you will open the door
You can purify it all, answer my call
08 Final Destination (04:43)
I escaped my final moment
But it’s turning back at me
On every corner I can feel it waiting
Just a moment, no awareness
I could easily slip away
And then I’ll be gone forever
I’m searching,
I’m fighting for a way to get through
To turn it away
It’s waiting, always trying
I feel the hands of fate, they’re suffocating
Tell me what’s the reason
Is it all inside my head
Can’t take it no more!
All around me I see danger
And it’s closing in on me
Every second I can hear it breathing
I can’t stand the fear inside me
Cause it’s leading me astray
And it will be my ending
I’m searching
I’m fighting for a way to get through
To turn it away
It’s waiting, always trying
I feel the hands of fate, they’re suffocating
Tell me what’s the reason
Is it all inside my head
Can’t take it no more!
But no one faced what's coming my way
And I will let my fear fade away
Whatever may be, I'll have to find out
It's waiting, always trying
I feel the hands of fate, they're suffocating
Tell me what's the reason
Is it all inside my head
Can't take it no more
10 The Truth Beneath the Rose (07:05)
Give me strength to face the truth, the doubt within my soul.
No longer I can justify the bloodshed in His name.
Is it a sin to seek the truth, the truth beneath the rose?
Pray with me so I will find the gate to Heaven's door.
I believed it would justify the means
It had a hold over me.
Blinded to see the cruelty of the beast
It is the darker side of me.
(Forgive me my sins)
The veil of my dreams deceived all I have seen.
Forgive me for what I have been
Forgive me my sins!
Pray for me 'cause I have lost my faith in holy wars.
Is paradise denied to me 'cause I can take no more?
Has darkness taken over me, consumed my mortal soul?
All my virtues sacrificed, can Heaven be so cruel?
I believed it would justify the means
It had a hold over me.
(Forgive me my sins)
Blinded to see the cruelty of the beast
It is the darker side of me.
(Forgive me my sins)
The veil of my dreams deceived all I have seen.
Forgive me for what I have been
Forgive me my sins!
I'm hoping, I'm praying
I won't get lost between two worlds,
For all I have seen the truth lies in between.
Give me the strength to face the wrong that I have done
Now that I know the darkest side of me.
How can blood be our salvation
And justify the pain that we have caused throughout the times?
Will I learn what's truly sacred?
Will I redeem my soul?
Will truth set me free?
(Forgive me my sins)
Blinded to see the cruelty of the beast
It is the darker side of me.
(Forgive me my sins)
The veil of my dreams deceived all I have seen.
Forgive me for what I have been
Forgive me my sins!
11 Forgiven (04:54)
Couldn’t save you from the start
Love you so it hurts my soul
Can you forgive me for trying again
Your silence makes me hold my breath
Time has passed you by
Oh, for so long I’ve tried to shield you from the world
Oh, you couldn’t face the freedom on your own
Here I am left in silence
You gave up the fight
You left me behind
All that’s done’s forgiven
You’ll always be mine
I know deep inside
All that’s done’s forgiven
I watched the clouds drifting away
Still the sun can’t warm my face
I know it was destined to go wrong
You were looking for the great escape
To chase your demons away
Oh, for so long I’ve tried to shield you from the world
Oh, you couldn’t face the freedom on your own
And here I am left in silence
You gave up the fight
You left me behind
All that’s done’s forgiven
You’ll always be mine
I know deep inside
All that’s done’s forgiven
I’ve been so lost since you’ve gone
Why not me before you?
Why did fate deceive me?
Everything turned out so wrong
Why did you leave me in silence?
You gave up the fight
You left me behind
All that’s done’s forgiven
You’ll always be mine
I know deep inside
All that’s done’s forgiven
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Other reviews
By lovelorn
Sharon’s interpretation is so intimate and delicate that it borders on perfection; I am increasingly convinced that if angels had a voice, it would probably be hers.
'The truth beneath the rose' is the masterpiece of the album and all of symphonic metal... the band arrogantly snatches the scepter that had so far belonged to Tuomas Holopainen’s band.
