Within Temptation: A True Diamond in the Rough

Hearts pounded harder across the Netherlands and Europe as the new album from Within Temptation was released. The soulful lyrics, and haunting melodies sent chills down the spines of every Within Temptation fan.

Virtually unheard of in the United States, Within Temptation is one of the greatest gothic metal bands, more commonly called symphonic metal in Europe, of our time. Currently nominated for several Dutch 3FM awards, including Best Band and Best Female Singer, they entered the music scene in their native Netherlands in 1997 with debut album, Enter. Fans across the nation went wild over this only one-year-old band. Just the next year, they issued The Dance, an even more popular album than Enter. They continued to wow their fans two years later with Mother Earth. While they fell silent in the next coming years, they came back with a vengeance. The Silent Force was released in 2004, to the great excitement of many symphonic rock fans.

Just recently, Within Temptation has released The Heart of Everything. This album's lyrics and melodies are full of feeling and the very soul of what gothic music should be at it's best. Sharon den Adel's voice is strong and better than any in the Genre before her.

The Howling, a single from The Heart of Everything, was written for The Chronicles of Spellborn, which many RPG players are waiting in suspense for its release. The Chronicles of Spellborn is a multi-player online role playing game scheduled to be released in early 2007. "Howlers" are a creature that figures prominently in the game and are the inspiration for the lyrics of The Howling.

Also featured on this album is the chart-topping hit, What Have You Done. This single has been nominated for Best Single in a Dutch Media award, and has been widely popularized by radio stations in both the Netherlands and Germany. Its masterful lyrics, accompanied by its strong melody and eloquent blending of vocals, speak directly to the heart of love bitterly changed. Truly one of the best gothic rock singles that I have heard to date.

Many gothic metal fans are truly denied a great of the genre because of Within Temptation's lack of exposure in the United States. Many fans of bands like Evanescence and Lacuna Coil would have no choice but to fall in love with the stunning vocals and deep lyrics of Within Temptation. Within Temptation's few United States fans are forced to have their albums imported, but it is well worth the additional cost.

For all gothic metal fans, Within Temptation could be the newest rising star. Five stellar albums have been released, each one better than the last. I look to see more great things from this wonderfully compelling band in the future. May we one day receive the fantastic surprise of hearing Sharon den Adel's voice singing out from our local radio stations. Within Temptation is truly a diamond in the rough.