Review Summary: Great album and possibly a way out for similar bands. Go acoustic!
I was browsing spoitify today like I find myself doing most days and as I perused through this album caught my eye. I will be honest and say that Within Temptation are not regularly on my playlist but I thought 'what the heck' I will give it a listen.(i just want to say I havn't reviewed in ages so forgive me if it is not up to standard!)
Within Temptation have been over-overshadowed in recent years by the likes of Nightwish, Lacuna Coil and Evanescence to name but a few but this does not mean they are are worse that the forementioned bands. Lacuna Coil continue to produce albums that you just can't get into and they still persist to keep that zorro wannabe rapper Andrea Ferro in the band. Everytime I hear him I contemplate throwing my computer threw my window then jumping out straight after.
Back to the album in question I was pleasantly surprised with what I heard. The vocals were clearer and with the reduced orchestral accompaniment everything fell nicely on the ears. It is clearly evident that Sharon Don Adel is am accomplished singer and I often found myself in a trance just listening to her. At times though I wondered whether I was litening to Within Temptation or 'Celtic Woman'. Whilst it is the same songs, the arragement put a whole different edge to what I was hearing. Take out the vocals and this albuym could easily have been the 'Braveheart' soundtrack.
Perhaps this is why it appealed to me more than previous albums where there was always to much going on to properly appreciate anything. The only track I liked before hearing this album was 'What Have You Done' and that was a joint effort with Keith Caputo of 'Life Of Agony'. It was the same with Lacuna Coils colaboration with 'Apocolyptica. That song 'S.O.S' was bloody brilliant! But alas is this what bands of this genre have to do to get a decent single? Join ranks with another band?
Up till listening to this album I would have said yes. But it is obvious the answer is go acoustic!
Good Album!
