‘The Heart Of Everything’ marks the fourth album from the Goth-rock/symphonic Metallers and sees them aiming squarely for the mainstream, seemingly in a bid to fill the void somewhere in between Nightwish and Evanescence. And they have most definitely succeeded. With this release Within Temptation have combined all of the elements that are required to make a classic album. Stunning vocals, top quality song writing and playing and crystal clear production marks this out as one of the albums of the year so far.

Vocalist Sharon Den Adel gives a captivating performance and as with Amy Lee will undoubtedly get the majority of the media attention. But the rest of the band also turn in a remarkable display; from the intricate guitar playing of Robert Westerholt and Ruud Jolie to the layered keyboards provided by Martijn Spierenburg. This is definite proof that Within Temptation are very much a band concern and not just there to act as backing musicians for Adel.

As you would expect, each of the tracks here come across as mini-epics. The battlefields of Middle Earth provide the subject matter for the clarion call of ‘The Howling’, the band making their intentions clear right from the start. ‘What Have You Done’ will likely be compared to ‘Bring Me To Life’, simply because of the shared vocals between Adel and Keith Caputo (from NY hardcore band Life OF Agony), and this is an instantly catchy track that will quickly imbed itself into your memory banks. The perfect choice for a single.

‘Our Solemn Hour’ sees the band throw ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ into just one song; an anti-war theme, part Latin sung chorus, orchestra, choir and the sound effects of the battlefields being just some of the components that make this one of the albums stand out moments. In fact there is virtually nothing in the way of filler to be found throughout, although the seven minute plus ‘The Truth Beneath The Rose’ (which apparently takes its inspiration from ‘The Da Vinci Code’ ) is maybe a little too long to fully hold your attention. Elsewhere, ‘Hand Of Sorrow’, ‘Frozen’ and the ballad ‘All I Need’ could all be potential future singles and are played to perfection by the band with Adel’s voice providing the icing on the cake.

Whilst there are plenty of European-based bands that do this sort of thing, few are capable of coming up with an album as good as this one.

‘The Heart Of Everything’ is available now on Roadrunner records.

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Track Listing

The Howling
What Have You Done
Frozen
The Heart of Everything
All I Need
Our Solemn Hour
Hand of Sorrow
The Cross
Final Destination
The Truth Beneath the Rose
Forgiven

 Line Up

Sharon den Adel - Vocals
Robert Westerholt - Guitars
Ruud Jolie - Guitars
Jeroen Van Veen - Bass
Stephen Van Haestregt - Drums
Martijn Spierenburg - Keyboards