Within Temptation

 Today in 2004 Within Temptation released the album The Silent Force

Waddinxveen, South Holland,Netherlands Symphonic Metal (early), Symphonic/Alternative Rock (later)

Status:Active

Years active: 1996 (as The Portal), 1996-present

Add Within Temptation's Sharon Den Adel to the growing list of standout female soprano metal singers, alongside Sandra Schleret (ex-Dreams Of Sanity), Floor Jansen (After Forever), and of course Tarja of Nightwish. Den Adel's vocals, particularly on the band's recent Mother Earth album, are simply beautiful. Music-wise, Within Temptation show two different styles, with Enter being more in the atmospheric gothic metal, approaching doomdeath at times due to guitarist Robert Westerholt's death vocals sung alongside Den Adel. Here, the band might remind one of Orphanage or perhaps early Theatre Of Tragedy due to the dual singing styles. By contrast, Mother Earth loses the death vocals, brings keyboards to the fore, and in general is far less heavy and more orchestral, inviting comparisons at times to the aformentioned Dreams Of Sanity. Though decidedly less metallic than Enter, this is quite a professional album. Within Temptation is a quality band that should only get better as time goes on.

Supersonic Records

Sharon den Adel Vocals

Robert Westerholt Guitars

Ruud Jolie Guitars (lead)

Jeroen van Veen Bass

Martijn Spierenburg Keyboards

Stephen van Haestregt Drums

Guest/Session

Isaac Muller Celtic instruments

Siard de Jong Celtic instruments

1. Intro 01:58

2. See Who I Am 04:51

3. Jillian (I'd Give My Heart) 04:47

4. Stand My Ground 04:28

5. Pale 04:28

6. Forsaken 04:54

7. Angels 04:00

8. Memories 03:51

9. Aquarius 04:47

10. It's the Fear 04:07

11. Somewhere 04:13

46:24

Enhanced multimedia section includes a video for the song "Stand My Ground".

Recording information:

Tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 mixed by Stefan Glaumann at Toy Town Studios in Sweden.

Tracks 1, 5, 8, 11 mixed by Håkan Fredriksson & Ola Sonmark at Headroom Studios in Sweden.

All songs mastered by Bjorn Engelmann at The Cutting Room in Sweden.

Vocals recorded at The Wisseloord Studios in Netherlands.

Guitars recorded at Soundpark Studio in Netherlands.

Drums recorded at ICP Studios in Belgium.

Orchestra recorded by Ego Works at Studio # 5 & Documentary Studio in Moscow, Russia.