Within Temptation - The Heart of Everything

2007 Issued Fourth Studio Album by the Dutch Symphonic Metal Band. Within Temptation Once Again Prove Themselves as Peerless Purveyors of Quality Gotihic-tinged Rock, Produced Again by Daniel Gibson and Mixed by Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein). While the Epic Grandeur of the Band’s Sound Remains, it Now Coexists with a More Contemporary "organic" Feel. Nowhere is this Highlighted More Than on the Single "What have You Done" (Featuring Life of Agony Vocalist Keith Caputo), which Manages to Be Both Passionate and Punchy. Elsewhere "Frozen" is a Classic, Streamlined Ballad and "The Howling" Swirling Tour-de-force. Album Details

Epic, powerful, haunting, beautiful

The sound is epic, the music is powerful, the lyrics are haunting, the voice is beautiful. The mix is unforgettable! October 9, 2008

For my first listening experience, quite a surprise.

I came to WT after exhausting Nightwish's catalogue (Once, and Dark Passion Play being my favorites from that band). The first listen of The Heart of Everything didn't actually strike me, but I kept the disc in my player and listened again. Since that second listen, I have been haunted by several outstanding songs, and the CD has migrated onto my ipod. Anyone interested in dark, emotive melodies combined with some creative, often sweepingly romantic storytelling will not be disappointed. In fact, because of the quality of THOE, I have just ordered WT's Mother Earth (which other reviewers have claimed is WT's best), and The Silent Force. June 7, 2008

Great symphonic metal.

I love this album a lot. I first fell in love with their Silent Force album, and I greatly anticipated in this new album after 3 years of hiatus. This album is a very good album for people to engage into WT's music and to show Sharon's versatile vocals. It can be angelic in one song and forceful in another without losing grace. THOE's theme is somewhat darker than Silent Force, and therefore a lot more rock oriented. Expect very few ballads. If I have to say one weakness in this album is that as a whole, the songs kind of merge with each other because they're all formulated in the same way. I think the arrangement of the tracks could have been better, inserting "All I Need" (my personal favorite ballad of the album) earlier between the more rocky songs. Listening to all rock consecutively is a bit overwhelming in an album, but each song by itself are very melodic and powerful. Having "The Howling" as opening was wise. Another haunting track is "Our Solemn Hour", one of my favorites.

Up until now, I still don't hear the similarity between "What Have You Done" and Evanescence's "Bring Me To Life"... August 26, 2007

Better with each listen.

Within Temptation add a little something different in every release. While no "Mother Earth", transcending into a darker, more explosive style of music has benefited this band greatly. Before the obligatory sentiment, I will attempt explain and justify the main concern of this album.

The edited cut of "What have you done" was made for radio play. The orchestral bits were taken out, the bridge was altered in a straight-to the-point approach. The whole song is in standard radio format. Now, in the long version, the song starts out with an electronic, dark melody with Sharon gently singing the intro. The orchestral part comes along followed by Keith Caputo's singing. Added after the second chorus follows a celtic sounding melody, and then a metal bit with Sharon "ahhing".. then the bridge. Those tid-bits make the song great. Keith's vocals added to the mood, theme, and creativity of the song. So, applying everything that was stripped away makes this song exclusively 'Within Temptation'.

The whole album had been slighly directed in a modern metal approach. This band is in high demand, so limitations are set. This album was released on the label Roadrunner Records. But, I am still amazed with what creativity this band had put into the album.

"The Howling" could have been on the Silent Force, but I think it has a tougher approach. Sharon's voice proves that her lower key is a powerful tool if sung correctly. While I had thought that "Stand my ground" was W.T.'s toughest song, this song succeeds it. The ballads are wonderful, especially "Frozen". Some may not like the ballads, but they balance the album out. Within Temptation can turn hot to cold/light to dark, without warning. It's a true talent when a band can add so much atmosphere in an album.

"Our Solemn Hour" is a bombastic, powerful, and chilling piece of music. With one of Sir Winston Churchill's speaches sampled in the background, along with the choir forcefully singing "Sanctus Espiritus",it adds to the mood. Sharon still manages to stand out in this heavily layered tune. I haven't heard a song quite like this from any W.T. album. It's amazing.

"The Cross" may take some getting used to. Now we all know just how high Sharon can sing. It may sound wierd at first, but the song is actually very wonderful and easy on the ears. It's one of the most unique songs on the album.

"The Truth beneath the rose" is my favorite. The beginning starts off with a beautiful melody, the choir kicks in, and the verses are awesome. This song is creepy, mesmerizing, and the lyrics really compliment the mood. Sharon's "ahh-ing" is done at her best here.

For every female fronted metal band that we have grown with (since the early 90's) this newer release still holds magic. I absolutely cannot say that for Lacuna Coil's "Karmacode". I think this might be a supplementary addition to any Leaves' Eyes collector, or vice-vera, even though Within Temptation's "Mother Earth" and Leaves' Eyes "Vinland Saga" go better together. This band experiments and takes chances, in drastic measures. The Gathering and Withing Temptation (both dutch) are the most creative bands from the genre (while a broad, non specific one). Is female fronted metal a genre? I hope not.The band could still progress, and Sharon could keep experimenting with her voice, and I am convinced that anything they do will keep me impressed, except the small concern that they will be forced to edit all their music like the radio edit of "What have you done". If that should happen, Within Temptation will be no more. I'd say it's a fat chance because W.T still have many albums to create and blow away listeners with.

August 21, 2007

Amazing album

I purchased this album from itunes after hearing a couple of the 30 second clips. This cd is amazing, very theatrical, very epic. Sharon's voice is absolutely beautiful/haunting. I was so pumped about this cd that I ordered their Silent Force cd from amazon. While I recommend The Silent Force, its nowhere near as great as The Heart of Everything. A must buy. August 6, 2007

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