INSOMNIAC SONG

31.01.2014

Within Temptation - Hydra

 

 

Hydra is the sixth studio album from Within Temptation. While they’ve never seemed afraid of change, this is their most experimental album to date. It’s guaranteed to alienate some longtime fans much like their fifth album, The Unforgiving, did. While the Unforgiving showcased a more straight forward rock sound, Hydra is more varied. Let Us Burn opens the album with a strong showcase of their rock style. The band certainly knows how to keep Sharon’s vocals from being overwhelmed by the instrumental track. Dangerous (featuring Howard Jones) was the second single released from the album. I wasn’t sure what to think about the former Killswitch Engage vocalist being involved with the song since I avoided the single in favor of waiting for the album. Once I heard the song, I was pleasantly surprised.  His vocals work well with Sharon’s in a way that I didn’t expect. And We Run (featuring Xzibit) was probably the song that really bothered fans the most. Sharon’s clear, light vocals are in perfect contrast with Xzibit’s deeper voice. His rapping accents the song and certainly doesn’t hurt it. I was quite pleased with the finished project. Paradise (What About Us?) (featuring Tarja) was the song from the album that fans had been asking for. Sharon is finally singing with Tarja, former vocalist of Nightwish, after so much comparison of each woman’s vocal styles. Tarja’s light lyric soprano range works well with Sharon’s mezzo-soprano. This duet will likely be the song to beat when it comes to female fronted symphonic metal. Edge of the World begins with a light, airy feel. It’s accented with strings and an ethereal feel. Silver Moonlight returns to a more guitar-driven sound with a slightly harder tone to Sharon’s vocals. It’s a song that stuck with me even after the album was finished. Covered by Roses is certainly a return to a heavier feel for the band. Dog Days is likely the closest to their older more ballad sound. It still holds its own and is easily listenable. Tell Me Why really resonated for me lyrically. It’s a song about needing to let go of the past and move forward, but being unable to without help. Sharon conveys that confused, angry feeling quite well without sounding forced. Whole World is Watching (featuring Dave Pirner) was a surprising song for me. For those who don’t know, Dave Pirner is the vocalist for Soul Asylum. I hadn’t heard anything by them in years. This song is perhaps my instant favorite from the album. Their vocals suit each other very well. I do applaud Within Temptation for choosing their guest vocalists wisely. It’s the perfect ending to the album. In conclusion, Hydra is an amazing album that I recommend to anyone who is a fan of Within Temptation or female fronted rock/metal. Their experimentation paid off in a good way. I’m excited to see where they go from this.

 

Rating: 5/5

Recommended tracks: Paradise (What About Us?); Whole World is Watching; Dangerous