REVIEW: Within Temptation – Hydra

A hobby. An activity done for pleasure, usually during leisure time.

This is how Dutch symphonic rock act Within Temptation began. Founded by lead singer Sharon den Adel and guitarist and songwriter Robert Westerholt in 1996, the band gained popularity with their 1997 debut album, the harrowing ‘Enter‘. However, at the time the band had no plans for recording a second album. An interview with Sharon in 2007 reveals that ‘at the time, we still had jobs. Robert owned an Internet company together with some friends and I was working for a fashion company. We never thought we could do music professionally, because in Holland it is very difficult with this kind of music. But it just started happening.’

 

So what ‘started happening’? In 2000, the band released the follow-up, ‘Mother Earth’, which catapulted them right into the heart of mainstream music. ‘Ice Queen’, the second single, became their breakthrough and their first European #1, and they made their first public appearance in the UK just a few years later with their third album, ‘The Silent Force’. At this time, Evanescence were huge, which opened the door for similar bands to make their impact, such as Nightwish and Lacuna Coil.

Fast forward another ten years and Within Temptation are on their sixth studio collection, ‘Hydra’. After experimenting with 80’s power-pop on the previous album, the mighty ‘The Unforgiving’, the band were keen to continue to ‘represent the many different sides of our music’, Westerholt said of the album and referring to the album title. Indeed, the collaborations featured Tarja Turunen, formerly of Nightwish, ex Killswitch Engage singer Howard Jones, and in a move that rocked everyone from fans to critics, US rapper Xzibit. How would these collaborations affect the band’s unique yet classic sound, and more importantly, would they actually work?

The album is certainly nothing except stylistically impressive, experimenting with new sounds whilst remaining loyal to their original sound. ‘Dangerous’ boasts a thunderous power-pop punch, with electronic sound effects menacingly creeping underneath the spattering of guitars whilst Sharon and Howard combine the power of their vocals to keep up with the relentless pace. Lead single ‘Paradise’ is, for lack of a better term, a wet dream of a collaboration for noughties’ symphonic metal fans everywhere. I mean, Tarja Turunen, rock Goddess of Nightwish, and Sharon den Adel? Fortunately the song doesn’t disappoint, with dramatic strings, an incredible middle 8 from Tarja, a fearsome guitar solo, and an utterly epic chorus, not to mention the joy of hearing a vocal battle between two of the greatest female rockstars of our time.

‘Silver Moonlight’ sees the band returning to the roots of their début. The opening could fool you into believing you’re experiencing a heartfelt ballad, until Sharon unleashes her glorious siren and a flurry of guitars come barging their way in and Robert’s growls take over. Similarly, ‘Covered By Roses’ rocks with a feral energy that should keep all headbangers happy for five minutes, whilst the acoustically-driven ‘Whole World Is Watching’ – featuring the wonderful raspy vocals of Dave Pinder of Soul Asylum – provides a lighter touch to the heavier elements of the album without losing any of the spirit.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the album, ‘And We Run’ is the somewhat dreaded anticipation of Xzibit. Rapping in rock doesn’t always work (see: Linkin Park), however, this an absolute triumph. The rapping elements of the song actually infuse terrifically with Sharon’s heavenly vocals – even if hearing ‘motherfucker’ in a Within Temptation song is rather jarring – and the intensity of the powerful, drum-led chorus is enough to bring anyone out in goosebumps. An extremely well-executed track and proof that Within Temptation can get away with pretty much anything.

However, the highlight of the album is reserved for ‘Edge Of The World’. Opening with an ominous, bumpy drum and Sharon’s ghostly vocal ad libs, the song builds slowly and teasingly with pulsating sound effects and subtle strings, until finally exploding into a monstrous power ballad at the second chorus. What follows is a striking mixture of thundering guitars and ethereal wails from a rapturous choir before reaching it’s unearthly crescendo where Sharon howls the final chorus in despair and the songs draws to it’s stunning end.
Absolutely breathtaking.

‘Hydra’ shows why Within Temptation are still huge in the rock world. Rather than continuing with the mystical Goth tinged musical stylings that made them a household name, they chose to take the path of experimentation whilst remaining loyal to their trademark. It’s difficult to stay on top in this fickle industry, but somehow, they’ve done it with finesse.

Not bad for what started out as a hobby.