Within Temptation - The Dance

The goth-rock act's 1998 EP features six tracks including CD-ROM material, 'The Dance', 'Another Day', 'The Other Half (Of Me), 'Remix Restless', Remix Candles & Pearls Of Light' & enhanced material with information, special song & pictures of the band. Rough Trade. Album Description

very nice

je suis vraiment très satisfait de mon achat, les CD sont arrivés en excellent état malgré la distance parcourue ^^ merci encore August 13, 2008

Nice Solid Release

While this is more of a mini-CD/EP than an album, WT still manages to shine with this second music release. Once again, they manage to combine an array of differing styles within the album.

There's what sounds like bells (probably the keyboard), a choir, and folk-music leanings at times of the title track. All this combined with drums, soft guitar rifts, and Sharon's voice (which shifts from harsh to soft on a dime) make the Dance a fun song to listen to.

Then there's the gothic/dark sound of "Another Day", which revolves around lost love. Sharon's voice echoes (actually echoes) throughout the song heightening the sense of isolation within the song. Yet it never falls into the generic sound of a pity party. It's a strong song that rises above that. The calming vocals take the listener along for the duration of the song. It's a very easy song to get into.

Both versions of Restless (classical and remix) are both well done. For those who don't know where to find the classical mix-insert your Dance CD into your computer. A music file will show up where you can listen to the classical mix. The remix doesn't have much variation from the original-it mainly has bits cut from the song making it shorter. This isn't bad. It makes for easy listening.

The only song I disliked would be "The Other Half (Of Me)". My major problem is I can't understand what Sharon and Robert are singing. The music tends to drown out the vocals in places. While the music is nice, it's annoying not being able to understand the song because of this.

Remix Candles and Pearls of Light: A very calming remix with slower techno/electronic bits added to the beat. A few trumpet sounds are added as well. Sometimes bits of singing, "oh oh oh," mixed with techno add to the song. There are even bird sounds in the Pearls of Light remix, which is really cool. It's easy to get caught up in the music-it carries the listener along with it.

The Dance is overall a nice follow up to their previous album Enter. Recommended for WT fans and those who like to listen to different styles included an album. December 18, 2007

Someone is dancing on my grave...

After the release of their gothic metal classic Enter, Within Temptation decided to put out an intermission CD for their ever-hungry fans. Consisting of 3 new tracks, 2 remixes, and bonus enhanced material, I'm going to say any fan of WT should try to get their hands on this, especially for the new songs.

The EP begins with the self-titled track, a favorite of mine with one of the most unforgettable choruses I think I've ever heard. Some male grunting is featured, but thankfully it's pushed back into the mix a little. Following this is a quirky little ballad called "Another Day" - which only showcases Sharon's airy, angelic singing. A beautiful song altogether, also featuring a great chorus. The track 3 slot belongs to fan favorite "The Other Half (Of Me)". This song is a lot heavier and faster than the WT I had already acquainted myself with, so it took me awhile to appreciate it. Of course, a few listens changed that, and now it could very well be one of my all-time favorite WT songs.

The remixes aren't anything special, but they're nice to have if you're a collector. A classical version of "Restless" is included as an enhanced track, accompanied by band bios and tour photos.

Again, this is a must for WT fans. However, to anyone just starting to get a hold of this band, I'd suggest getting the follow-up album Mother Earth or 2004's The Silent Force first. But you really can't go wrong either way. January 21, 2006

Where it all began............

Some 6-7 years ago I was napstering around and found out (cant remember exactly how) about the songs in this EP. I was really pleased/amazed/thrilled by this lovely voice.... Being a ToT fan (dropped being a fan after musique though) I really enjoyed the melodies, growlings, music, and definately this sweet voice.... I would advise to get this one to understand the complete evolution of one of the best dark/gothic/doom bands available. August 28, 2005

Wonderful And Gorgeous Metal Grandeur

An EP by Within Temptation carries more substance within it than most bands's full-length albums; "The Dance" is a deep and lush mini-album that fuses the epic feel and invigorating nature of power metal, the massive grandeur of symphonic doom metal a la Morgion or Orphanage, and the rich beauty of atmospheric metal like Nightsky Bequest and The Gathering. Some have complained that some of the elements used - the choir effects, the alternating female and male vocals, etc. have been used a lot in recent years. I'd respectfully counter that elements like guitar solos and drums have been used a lot for decades and decades; the fact remains that having them doesn't automatically make a band unoriginal. Within Temptation is one of the freshest and most original bands to emerge in the last decade; there are no sound-alikes to the group that I know of. The closest comparison to the material on "The Dance" might be The Gathering with their awesome "Mandylion" and "Nighttime Birds" albums, but the two sounds are only about as close a reference point as, say, Judas Priest to Iron Maiden to Accept - similar in ways but certainly not clones.

The soft-to-crushingly heavy guitars, the innovative keyboard effects, the powerful bass and the varied drumming are all outstanding, as are the 'growled/savage' male vocals of Robert Westerholt (which in Within Temptation actually fit in exceptionally well with the music they're playing, which isn't always the case with female-fronted symphonic/atmospheric metal of this kind). The star performer though has to be lead singer Sharon den Adel, whose emotive vocals soar with the power of a majestic falcon and the graceful beauty of an angel. Exceptionally well put-together songs - a tribute to the art of musical and lyrical composition - with melodies and words that make lasting impacts. Everything I've heard from Within Temptation is excellent and "The Dance" is no exception; may the mammoth success they're enjoying in Europe soon be replicated in North America and the rest of the world. August 15, 2005

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