{"id":36198,"date":"2014-01-16T15:26:14","date_gmt":"2014-01-16T20:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=36198"},"modified":"2014-01-16T15:26:14","modified_gmt":"2014-01-16T20:26:14","slug":"within-temptation-hydra-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/within-temptation-hydra-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Within Temptation | Hydra<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Joe Mis<\/span>
\n– Senior Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"withinHydra<\/em> is the upcoming release from European symphonic rockers Within Temptation \u2013 and it very well could be their strongest release to date. Smoothly firing on all cylinders with the support of a number of well-known guests, Within Temptation is returning to their heavier, livelier roots and delivering solid symphonic rock-metal that is sure to please their fans the world over. Hydra<\/em> is a pure symphonic rock-metal release, unlike the band\u2019s recent releases – a concept album (The Unforgiving<\/em>) and a number of cover tune singles.<\/p>\n

Formed back in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel, guitarist Robert Westerholt, and bassist Jeroen van Veen, Within Temptation has produced consistently elegant and cinematic metal spanning a catalog of six studio albums, two live releases and numerous single and EPs, with styles ranging from Gothic to symphonic. Now joined by Ruud Jolie (guitar), Stefan Helleblad (guitar), Martijn Spierenburg (keyboards), and Mike Coolen (drums), Within Temptation has rolled all of their experiences and influences into a truly memorable album.<\/p>\n

The album opens with \u201cLet Us Burn,\u201d a tune rich with drama, a dense wall of guitars, and Sharon den Adel\u2019s emotional delivery over a massive vocal range. This lush tune harkens back to old Within Temptation and sets a high standard for the rest of the album. \u201cDangerous\u201d is an upbeat rocker that features a strong vocal contribution from Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage). The two singers work well together despite radically different styles as they dance above a keyboard and guitar rhythm line. \u201cAnd We Run\u201d is mostly a classic Within Temptation song, rife with choral vocals, delicate keys, and amazing guitars. However, it also features the appearance of rapper Xzibit – which actually works well for the song \u2013 but his dropping of an \u201cF-bomb\u201d in the middle of the song is jarring and very out of place for a band such as Within Temptation.<\/p>\n

\u201cParadise\u201d is quintessential Within Temptation, made even stronger by the appearance of the one and only Tarja Turunen (ex-Nightwish). Tarja\u2019s operatic contributions blend beautifully with Sharon\u2019s smooth delivery while the massive rhythm line drives the track to places seldom visited in symphonic metal. This one will have even the most jaded listener air-drumming or toe-tapping \u2013 and the guitar solo is short but amazingly sweet. \u201cEdge Of The World\u201d is a beautiful ballad that highlights the softer side of den Aden\u2019s vocals and the tight keyboard work of Martijn Spierenburg. \u201cSilver Moonlight\u201d is driving metal track with well controlled vocal growls contributed by Robert Westerholt, making this the heaviest (and perhaps darkest) track on the CD. The gritty guitars continue through the energetic and enigmatic \u201cCovered By Roses,\u201d a track with perhaps Sharon\u2019s best vocal performance, a sing along chorus, and dynamic guitars.<\/p>\n

\u201cDog Days\u201d is another ballad with a sweeping vocal lane, tons of symphonic elements and enthusiastic delivery. The simple guitar line is surprisingly effective, as is the intricate teamwork demonstrated by bassist Jeroen Van Veen and drummer Mike Coolen. The only flaws here are the overly repetitive lyrics that make the song seem to drag at times. \u201cTell Me Why\u201d cranks everything up to eleven, and mixes some strong 80s\/90s influences with a pounding drum line, thick keys, and a blistering guitar break. The one \u201cdifferent\u201d track is the closer, \u201cThe Whole World Is Watching.\u201d This is more of a straight up rocker featuring a superb vocal duet with Soul Asylum\u2019s Dave Pirner, and works so well on so many levels. Uplifting and jaw-droppingly good, the whole world should be watching Within Temptation.<\/p>\n

Superbly mixed to bring out warmth and depth, Hydra<\/em> is a treat for the ears on multiple levels. Not only is the overall sound excellent, but the solid engineering also serves to highlight the strength of den Adel\u2019s voice (and the voices of the guests) and displays the raw talents of the band to their fullest. Within Temptation\u2019s songwriting continues to evolve, and their performances are without flaw.<\/p>\n

There are not enough superlatives to fully describe Hydra. The band is undoubtedly in top form, den Adel\u2019s voice is unmatched, and together they have released an album that will not only appeal to their own corps of fans, but one that will bring new blood into the fold. Complex at times and elegantly simple at others, Hydra<\/em> is Within Temptation\u2019s best work by far. It is not a rehash of their old style \u2013 rather it is a strong evolutionary step that blends new elements with old, enhancing rather than changing the band\u2019s traditional sound.<\/p>\n

Simply put, Within Temptation\u2019s Hydra<\/em> is already a solid candidate for many a 2014 \u201cTop Ten\u201d list, and is without a doubt highly recommended!<\/p>\n

Genre: Symphonic Rock, Metal<\/p>\n

Band:
\nSharon den Adel (vocals)
\nRobert Westerholt (guitar, vocals)
\nRuud Jolie (guitar)
\nStefan Helleblad (guitar)
\nJeroen Van Veen (bass)
\nMartijn Spierenburg (keyboards)
\nMike Coolen (drums)
\nGuest vocalists: Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage) \u2013 track 2, Xzibit \u2013 track 3, Tarja Turunen (Nightwish) \u2013 track 4, Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum) \u2013 track 10<\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n1.\tLet Us Burn
\n2.\tDangerous
\n3.\tAnd We Run
\n4.\tParadise
\n5.\tEdge of the World
\n6.\tSilver Moonlight
\n7.\tCovered By Roses
\n8.\tDog Days
\n9.\tTell Me Why
\n10.\tThe Whole World Is Watching<\/p>\n

Label: Nuclear Blast Records, Within Temptation Recordings<\/p>\n

Website: http:\/\/www.within-temptation.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 9\/10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Joe Mis – Senior Columnist — Hydra is the upcoming release from European symphonic rockers Within Temptation \u2013 and it very well could be their strongest release to date. Smoothly firing on all cylinders […]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":36200,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10848],"tags":[2317,8658,2267,3161,4480,8657,8659],"class_list":{"0":"post-36198","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arcrvws2014","8":"tag-cd-review","9":"tag-hydra","10":"tag-metal","11":"tag-nuclear-blast-records","12":"tag-symphonic-rock","13":"tag-within-temptation","14":"tag-within-temptation-recordings"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36198"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36198\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}