WITHIN TEMPTATION — The Unforgiving (review)

WITHIN TEMPTATION — The Unforgiving album cover Album · 2011 · Symphonic Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
2/5 ·
Wilytank
So, I listen to Within Temptation's 'Enter' to condition myself before listening to their newest offering, 'The Unforgiving'. A lot must have happened between '97 and now, because the sound has changed a little drastically.

Now, there are times when that can be a good thing; but in this case, it isn't.

Straight from "Shot in the Dark", the impression is "This is Evanescence with Rihanna's vocals mixed with Amy Lee's. Wtf?" The music in "Faster" and "Iron" sounds like is was taken (stolen?) from an Amorphis song. In fact, there are times on this album where I wonder if Within Temptation actually did rip off Amorphis or Evanescence on this album.

The reason why I have brought up Evanescence is 1): The female vocalists, and 2): the popish appeal of the music. How Within Temptation went from a pretty interesting gothic metal band in '97 to this symphonic pop/rock now is beyond me. They've got epic sounding music in a vein NEAR Amorphis, but at least Amorphis has the progressive elements to make their music more interesting. All the guitar riffs are really simple and uninteresting. All the lyrics are pretty lame and forgettable.

Another album that won't make it on my 2011 list.
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adg211288 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Faster sounds similar to Wicked Games, it has its own touches. It's not completely the same.They say its almost impossible to write something truly original these days anyway. The band is actually aware of the similarities between the two songs.

I agree with Xaxaar's comment. People generally seem to love or hate this album. And yes Wily, a lot has changed from Enter to The Unforgiving. A lot changed between Enter and The Dance EP to the second full-length Mother Earth. If you were to listen to all their major releases in order you'd notice the gradual shift towards The Unforgiving's sound, though this is quite different even to The Heart of Everything.

I personally consider this album a masterpiece, but maybe to use Xaxaar's words it's because I get the genre.
Xaxaar wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Yeah, wasn't a huge fan myself...but I think it's one of those things where I just don't "get the genre." Sort of like how I look at people weird that call "In the L..L..Library Loft" (by Toby Driver) random noise when I see it as a masterpiece. I just don't think they "get the genre."

Or maybe I do and just think it's sub-par, nonetheless. >_>
Wilytank wrote:
more than 2 years ago
oh god...
arcane-beautiful wrote:
more than 2 years ago
faster is actually the same as HIMs Wicked Game (the Chris Issak cover)

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