WITHIN TEMPTATION — The Unforgiving (review)

WITHIN TEMPTATION — The Unforgiving album cover Album · 2011 · Symphonic Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Stephen
Within Temptation returns again to the scene after being silence for 4 years since their highly acclaimed 'The Heart of Everything' by bringing something new, a conceptual-driven album which is their first attempt and simultaneously released with the comic book under the same title, "The Unforgiving".

As we all know, Within Temptation had started to move away from their symphonic/gothic roots to incorporate more commercial approach and in "The Unforgiving", they pushed this even more, and this album turns out to be an accessible melodic metal record still with the symphonic and gothic trace in their very own style, which might not a good news for earlier fans but definitely the best move in my opinion.

After the enigmatic intro of 'Why Not Me', WT kicks in with the dreamy atmospheric synth to combine the powerful Verse with Sharon's enchanting voice. The chorus is spectacular and the guitar solo part is a blast. I conclude that this is simply the greatest tune of the album after more than 5 spins. "In The Middle of The Night" is a cracking uptempo tune with a flawless arrangement and Sharon's vocal is the center of the show. "Faster" is the first single but funny I don't think it's as great as the previous two.

"Fire And Ice" is a haunting metallic ballad, along with "Lost" and "Stairway To The Skies", both are just great pieces of WT's mellow side. "Iron", "Sinead", and "A Demon's Fate" are another personal favorites and the rest tracks are around good level and slightly inferior than the other. The production is excellent, suits the music very well, and the best thing of this album is that it just keeps getting better after repetitive spins. A superb release and undoubtedly deserved the high rank to be one of the highlights of 2011 !
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