WITHIN TEMPTATION — The Heart of Everything (review)

WITHIN TEMPTATION — The Heart of Everything album cover Album · 2007 · Symphonic Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
topofsm
Within Temptation are often cited as leaders in the gothic/symphonic styled genre of music. Fans who are looking for deep and emotional though often sorrowful toned easily listening metal will find them to be just their pick. It should be noted though, that on this album the songs are relatively simple, all very similar, and very based in basic pop rock format.

That's right, you're not going to be wowed at any technical surprises in this album, and over the top compositions are absent, but it's hardly a bad album. Strings and orchestrations compliments of Martijn Spierenburg add a little bombast to the already emotional styles of the record, and certainly improve the sound. The other notable aspect of the band is the singer Sharon Den Adel, whose voice is pure and beautiful and can soar with the best of them.

As previously stated, most of the songs are formulaic and the riffs and melodies are simple as a rule, so most of the songs are the same. However, there are some great tracks that seem to stand out. The opener, "The Howling" is about as angry as the album gets, and bursts open with grandiose symphonic sweeps and waves of strings. For those preferring the more 'epic' type of songs they might enjoy "Our Solemn Hour", which bursts in with a marching tempo and gigantic choral backings.

The rest of the songs are more standard, having a lot to do with Evanescence styled pop rock, songs like the energetic "What Have You Done", the piano-laced "Hand of Sorrow", and "The Heart of Everything". There are a couple ballad type tracks on the album too. The best one is probably "All I Need" where Sharon's emotions hit their peak with a pleading chorus and soft verses. "Frozen" and the closer "Forgiven" are also nice.

All in all, as leaders of the genre, one would expect a bit more out of the band. Though there are little complaints, as this is good, if one doesn't mind metal that plays it safe and wants to put good songwriting ahead of pushing boundaries.
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