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Within Temptation started as a band of friends playing the type of music they were passionate about, without too many pretenses. In 1997, when the only leading names among the very few metal bands with a female voice were The Gathering and Theatre Of Tragedy, the group from Utrecht made their entrance into the scene with the album "Enter," an unripe but explosive mix of doom guitars, guttural vocals, female angelic voice, and solemn keyboards. Following the debut's pattern, the band released an EP the following year titled "The dance," containing unreleased tracks, remixes, and acoustic versions of already published songs.
In 2000, "Mother earth" saw the light, still an unsurpassable masterpiece of their career, crowned by melancholic atmospheres reminiscent of Celtic folklore. Despite the unparalleled quality, success was slow to come, and it was only thanks to the contract with Gun Records, able to offer the band a wider distribution, that the single "Ice queen" began to nest in many heads, transforming Sharon Den Adel and company from a small niche band to an international phenomenon. From here on, some minor tension within the band started to be felt. The fans have increased, and expectations toward the new album could not be disappointed. Four years of hard work led Within Temptation to release "The silent force," work that established them as a cult band even outside the old continent, granting them media visibility only Evanescence and Lacuna Coil enjoyed. However, their music underwent an unthinkable transformation. The self-imposed commercial shift is more than evident; they favor uniform songwriting and memorable choruses over the magical atmospheres of the past. Thanks to collaboration with an orchestra, the symphonic aspect is also highlighted, yet it damages the performance of the instrumentalists and offers the compositions a distinctly pop flavor. The only sign of improvement comes from Sharon's voice, more versatile and intense than ever. "The silent force" wasn't a bad album. Despite an evident economic mechanism tainting the band's sincerity, it even had the prerequisites to surpass the previous one; it was the heavy compositional staticity, the superficiality of the guitar parts, and the overabundance of orchestrations that prevented it from becoming a masterpiece.
In 2006, the beautiful country welcomed the band for the first time on one of its most renowned stages, that of the Evolution Festival. Thanks to a prominent position in the lineup and the disappointing performance of the evening's headliners, Within Temptation took home the trophy for the most heartfelt performance of the day. However, it was sad to see how there were more young girls infatuated with Sharon's moves than listeners enraptured by the sonic beauty like myself, who still can't consider the said performance as the best of the day due to an evident intention of the band to focus all its energy on the singer, the only pillar in rendering some simplistic songs, among which the sly "Stand my ground" prevails. The premises that led me to approach the new album were not among the best, especially considering the fact that after the Tarja Turunen-Nightwish split, something in the music market shifted; all the leading names of the female branch of the metal world decided to compete in a breathless race for the success the Finns achieved with the masterpiece "Once." In chronological order, Lacuna Coil, Theatre Of Tragedy, Evanescence, Tristania, Within Temptation, After Forever, and last, the renewed Nightwish (only Epica decided to wait) have made a return or will do so in the upcoming months. The verve of the past, which some had unfortunately lost along the way, seems not to have abandoned the Dutch sextet, who with "The heart of everything" decided to amaze critics and fans.
For what is defined as the first true metal album of their career, Within Temptation wanted to do things on a grand scale, perfecting what was done well in the past and purging their sound of some stylistic impurities that now seem a distant memory. The symphonic parts take a backseat, and the rough guitars of the Jolie-Westerholt pair, the diverse rhythms created by Stephen van Haestregt's drums and Jeroen van Veen's bass, upon which Martijn Spierenburg's romantic keyboards stand out, burst into the sonic economy. New ingredients are also added to the mix: acoustic guitar, mandolin, male backing vocals, and cinematic samples intensify the emotional impact of the tracks. Sharon's performance behind the microphone is superb: the singer has developed her style in an incredible way, interpreting each track differently. High tones often give way to low ones, and in some passages, we find surprising operatic parentheses. In other reviews, I have described Floor Jansen's as the best female voice in metal, but I was forced to reconsider. 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 lyrics, written four-handedly by the beautiful singer and her husband, tackle deep themes such as love, sins, doubts, regrets, lies, and truths. Among decadent images, romantic emotional introspections, and amorous stylistic dedications, they search for the center of everything, of every system, and in particular, of man. The heart is seen as the compass rose of life, allowing one to understand their mistakes, suggesting how to remedy them, and what is right to believe in.
"The bowling," the opening track, is a clear demonstration of the new direction taken by the band. Not even the catchiness of the chorus undermines the hardness and power of the guitar plots and the roughness of the vocals in the verses. The lead single "What have you done" features Keith Caputo from Life Of Agony, and the duet between his voice and Sharon's is truly beautiful, their voices blend perfectly, but the coordinates on which the track moves are too indebted to the Evanescence of "Fallen"; those who don't appreciate the American band might struggle to appreciate this track, though it is intense and well-orchestrated. "Frozen" presents the band’s poppiest side to fans; here the guitars make room for vocal sweetness to give a subtly metallic tone to the whole, but here come majestic Latin choruses introducing us to the most operatic episode, also the first highlight of the opus, "Our solemn hour." Therion should learn from Within Temptation how to better balance choral parts; they might seem more digestible and less dispersive. The track that gives the album its title follows, resuming the discourse initiated by "The bowling." A piano, a mandolin, and a cello introduce us to "Hand of sorrow," the second peak of the record where the orchestra and guitars become a single body and Sharon's performance is superb, especially in the chorus. All the elements of previous tracks (pop, rock, metal, gothic, and classical music) are then summarized in "The cross." To describe "Final destination," one could use the term "Film score metal," not intended in the manner of Rhapsody, but identifying a type of song of clear metal matrix that could serve as a backdrop to cinematic images (the track is indeed inspired by the first episode of the homonymous American saga). Anyone wishing to melt their heart in a passionate love song must not miss "All I need," an anthological ballad entirely written and arranged by Sharon.
Until this point, the album settles on medium-high levels, but it is with the next two songs that it verges on absolute perfection. Nightwish composed a symphonic masterpiece like "Ghost love score"? So be it, Within Temptation can even do better. In "The truth beneath the rose," the masterpiece of the album and all of symphonic metal, all the elements that distinguished them in these ten years of activity converge. We find the Gothic solemnity of "Enter," the heartrending melancholy of "Mother earth," and the symphonic grandeur of the best episodes of "The silent force." Adding to all this an emotional crescendo that culminates in an incredible finale, which I still can't describe with simple words, the band arrogantly snatches the scepter that had so far belonged to Tuomas Holopainen's band. The lyrics revolve around the concept that it is important to always seek the truth, even when everything instilled in us since childhood by external influences has always tried to hide it from us. I can confidently say this is the most beautiful song ever written by Within Temptation, who demonstrate they have nothing left to envy from other bands. As if that weren't enough, a very delicate piano and Sharon's soothing and satisfied voice give us another masterpiece, another beautiful ballad named "Forgiven."
Forgive the length of the review, I assure you the album deserves even more attention than I have given it. Open your eyes and forget the little misstep of "The silent force"; only a few chosen ones will be able to offer us absolute works like "The heart of everything," so intense and disarming in their sincerity.
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 elythecrow
The orchestral accompaniment makes the melodies majestic and solemn, yet without overshadowing them: truly remarkable.
'Our Solemn Hour'... well-structured and powerful, Within Temptation reach a very high level of expressiveness.
