Without a doubt, the rock year of 2003 belonged to Within Temptation – their album MOTHER EARTH conquered the heart and soul of the rock community. An ode to nature and the beauty of music – experience orchestral theater in metal clothing! Their singles ‘Ice Queen’ and ‘Mother Earth’ climbed into the Top 20 in Germany and took their turns in a constant barrage on video channels (and the band just did it again with a new interpretation of the Kate Bush classic ‘Running Up that Hill’), and MOTHER EARTH kept its place among the German Top 10 for weeks and weeks. The rock scene dared to dream again as it submerged itself in the humongous epic and irresistible spherical voice of singer Sharon den Adel. She is the focus of compositions by guitarist and song writer Robert Westerholt who founded the band in 1996. After only two months they had a recording contract in their hands, and their debut number ENTER fascinated the metal scene with fantastic melodies, orchestral elements and tremendous force. While in 1997 during the Dynamo Festival they would still perform on a side stage (it was only their fifth performance overall!), Within Temptation took main stage in celebration only a year later. They toured for two years, almost without a break – a colossal program that took its toll. In 1999, after publishing the single “The Dance”, the band decided to take a year off before beginning to work on the legendary MOTHER EARTH album – and the rest is rock history, as they say.
But this isn’t the time to delve into the past of this Dutch Sextet – their newest opus (while this expression ought not to be overused in modern music, it does fit right here) is upcoming: On Nov. 15, 2004, Within Temptation will present its brand new album THE SILENT FORCE. Rock fans from all over Europe are eagerly anticipating this major musical event – and they will be thrilled. Within Temptation has managed to tackle the difficult task of continued development without losing any features of its characteristic style. In 2004, Within Temptation sounds even more powerful, more modern, and more sensual – lead by an orchestral introduction, the listener will immediately find himself in a world of chord riffs, spherical sounds, classical instruments, and the passionate voice of Sharon den Adel. ‘See Who I Am’ represents the pure dynamics of orchestra and rock band. The first single ‘Stand My Ground’ will refine this collaboration with an electronic boost and thereby settles in the listener’s head for good. In general, Within Temptation have afforded their sound a fresh and lively makeover and will catapult romantically inclined emotions into the consciousness of the modern music fan. Sharon den Adel’s voice will reach a new dimension – rarely have we heard her any softer than in ‘Pale’ or the beautifully arranged ‘Memories’, only to be conquered by the striking force of her vocal cords in ‘Jillian’ or ‘Angels’.
Caught between the roughshod guitar board, an 80 piece orchestra, a choir (recorded in Moskow) and these vocals, the audience will exhilarate in listening to THE SILENT FORCE from the very first moment – an impressive monument of incredible musical talent, beyond all trends and far removed from “in-the-box” thinking. Produced by Daniel Gibson and mixed in the Swedish Toytown Studios these songs will, without a doubt, continue the success story for this band. For those wishing to experience the elegance of rock, Within Temptation and the unique voice of Sharon den Adel are an absolute must at the present. Lights on for a new and fascinating production of rock and orchestra: THE SILENT FORCE!