INSOMNIAC SONG

SYMPHONIC METAL

Within Temptation

 

Members: Sharon den Adel, Robert Westerholt, Jeroen van Veen, Ruud Jolie, Martijin Spierenburg, Mike Coolen, Stefan Helleblad
Former Members: Michiel Papenhove, Martijin Westerholt, Dennis Leeflang, Richard Willemse, Ivar de Graaf, Marius van Pyreen, Ciro Palma, Jelle Bakker, Stephen van Haestregt
Country: Netherlands
Genre: Symphonic metal, rock
Years Active: 1996-
Status: Active
Notable traits: Mezzo-soprano vocals
Recommended Songs: Angels; Faster; Paradise (What about Us?)

 

 

Within Temptation was formed in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. While often classified as gothic metal, the band is most often referred to as symphonic rock/metal. Their debut album, Earth, was released in 1997, resulting in decent sales and two tours. The following year would see additional touring and an ep, The Dance. However, 1999 brought a brief hiatus to regroup. 2000 resumed the band’s touring with their second album, Mother Earth, being released on December 1^st. Two singles were released from the album, Our Farewell, and Ice Queen. The latter was the breakthrough release for the group, reaching number 2 on the Netherlands charts and number 1 in Belgium. The success of Ice Queen propelled Mother Earth up the Dutch album charts to reach number 3 by the end of the year.

 

2001 was marked with several changes to the band’s lineup. 2002 and 2003 both brought touring and success in other countries. Mother Earth was re-released as was the Ice Queen single.  A tour dvd for Mother Earth was also successful. 2004 brought the band’s first UK live as well as their third album, The Silent Force. It became their most successful album to that date. The band continued to tour as they released the singles Stand My Ground, Memories and Angels. Stand My Ground was also chosen to be used in promotional trailers for the film Blood and Chocolate. The band was also invited to provide music for the Knights of the Temple: Infernal Crusade video game.

 

Their success continued through 2006 and into 2007 which saw the release of their fourth album, The Heart of Everything. Once again, the band was invited to provide songs for promotional material with the release of the video game The Chronicles of Spellborn. Their first North American tour began with Lacuna Coil to mark the US release of The Heart of Everything. A limited edition ep was also released that contained The Howling and popular songs from The Silent Force. Two singles were released from the album, What have You done, Frozen and All I need. Sales of the Frozen single were used to raise money for the Child Helpline International.

 

In 2008, the band filmed their Black Symphony concert and released it as a dvd as well as another single Forgiven. Roadrunner Records also released The Silent Force and Mother Earth in the United States for the first time. 2009 would bring another hiatus due to Sharon’s pregnancy. During that time the albums An Acoustic Night at the Theatre and Utopia were released. The band also saw their music being used in video games such as Guitar Hero: World Tour, as well as promos for television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, The Tudors and the Vampire Diaries.

 

2010 brought yet another tour while the band worked on their next album. It would be their most ambitious release to date. March 2011 was marked by the release of The Unforgiving. The album’s concept was based on a comic book series of the same name, written by Steven O’Connell and illustrated by Romano Molenaar. The songs were each written to mesh with Steven’s narrative. Their tour in support of the release was postponed due to complications with Sharon’s third pregnancy. However, the band released three promotional videos and the single Faster. More promotional footage followed including a short film.

 

The following year, 2012, was filled with touring to commemorate the band’s 15^th anniversary as well as the writing of their next album. The band continued to tour as well as making an appearance on the radio station Q-music. Eleven of the fifteen covers were released as The Q-Music sessions.

The first promotional release for the new album came in the form of an ep, Paradise (What About Us?) featuring Tarja Turunen of Nightwish fame.  With the release of Hydra, 2014 is shaping up to be a bright year for Within Temptation. The album is their most experimental to date. In addition to collaborating with Tarja Turunen, the band has also collaborated with Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage), Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum) and rapper Xzibit. Check out my review of Hydra located here.