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Within Temptation
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Returning to the studio in 2004, Within Temptation were set to record their third and most successful record to date, The Silent Force, with producer Daniel Gibson. Fuelled by the massive international radio hit Stand My Ground, the album went to #1 in the Netherlands and Finland, #5 in Germany, Top 10 in Belgium, Portugal and Spain, Top 20 in Austria and Switzerland and Top 30 in Greece, France, Turkey, Sweden and Norway. A myriad of Gold and Platinum certifications followed.
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Dutch symphonic band Within Temptation has been an established veteran European act for well over ten years now – they have conquered all European countries and are just beginning to take America by storm. For over a decade, European audiences have been reveling in their cinematic, bombastic, brand of melodic symphonic metal.
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If the hordes of fans they have over in Europe are any indication, six-piece combo Within Temptation might finally be getting the recognition they deserve. Female-fronted metal in the ‘00s is officially no longer a rarity, with new bands popping up out of Europe’s cold, dark corners with a gothic sound literally every day. Following in the footsteps of Lacuna Coil, Theatre of Tragedy and The Gathering—but going solely on their previous two releases, 2004’s The Silent Force and Mother Earth, a long six years ago—Within Temptation have been perhaps the most vivid and cathartic of all of them.
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With "The Heart of Everything", Within Temptation has never sounded more powerful or alive. The first single "What Have You Done," featuring Keith Caputo of Life of Agony, which see-saws between caustic guitar crunch and gothy, gauzy textures, is the perfect marriage of melodic rock and metal. The equally powerful track "The Howling" showcases Den Adel's trademark haunting vocals and soaring melodies, while the glacial "Frozen," features heartrending vocals and staccato string bursts and "The Cross" which starts like an intro to a film score, segues into a winding, dramatic number that's equal parts Richard Wagner, The Gathering and Kate Bush.
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Within Temptation's dark metal roots shine through in the title track and "Deep Within." In "Enter," heavy guitar riffs blend with Robert's dark metal vocals before Sharon's sweetly contrasting lead and lush keyboards enter the frenzy. Dramatic stylistic and significant tempo changes contribute to the interest of this complex piece. "Pearls Of Light" is presented in drastic contrast. The track begins as a gentle ballad with light intrumentation but develops into a more thickly arranged piece with guitars, keyboard and percussion supporting Sharon's powerful vocal lead.
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The biggest and most enjoyable difference between the two acts lies in the richness of Within Temptation's symphonic arrangements. Amy Lee may have anted up for the odd Mozart mimicking on The Open Door, but here the tracks are turbocharged with punchy choirs and strings. That includes everything from the shimmering-pond introduction to "The Howling" to the monumental, cascading paranoia of "Final Destination", with the orchestration coming courtesy of the City of Prague Philharmonic.
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Within Temptation