5.0 out of 5 stars
More Single action from WT, October 31, 2010
This review is from: What Have You Done Pt 2 (Audio CD)
Within Temptation returns to the metal scene with "What Have You Done?" the first single from the band's third studio album The Heart of Everything. "What Have You Done?" features some unique elements for Within Temptation, primarily the use of guest artist Keith Caputo. Though Sharon does have the lead vocal in the song, Keith adds some powerful secondary vocals and gives WT's sound a different angle than how fans have previously known their music. The duet aspect of this song is fresh and compelling, especially since Keith's vocals are mostly devoid of the band's older male growls (though the semi-repetitive background "what have you done now" line borders on a growl).
Some more hardcore metal fans might complain that "What Have You Done?" is little more on the rock/pop side, with catchy hooks and sing-along lyrics that are a little too reminiscent of Evanescence's "Bring Me To Life" (of course, me being American, I'm more likely to make that reference than the majority of European fans). This single includes the single version and the full-length album version of "What Have You Done?". Of the two, I actually prefer the full version because it include the guitar-heavy, haunting bridge where Sharon demonstrates some awesome operatic vocals and helps remove the song more from the catchy pop/rock side and push it more toward the WT sound fans known and love.
Also on this EP are two live tracks: "Blue Eyes/Aquarius" and "Caged." "Aquarius" is a fairly lackluster track from The Silent Force, but the live aspect adds a little more punch. "Blue Eyes," on the other hand, is a B-side from The Silent Force, which is a little more difficult to find in any form, so having this hauntingly beautiful, tear-inducing song was a nice treat and a much-needed break from all of the heavy songs here. Then, there's "Caged," an entry reaching all the way back to Mother Earth. Though I think Sharon sounded better on this live version than on the actual album, the song just doesn't fit as well with the others since it has echoes of the band's older sound in it.
Though not my favorite song on The Heart of Everything, "What Have You Done?" is a great introduction to the album and has the power to convert new fans to the band and the genre, while the other songs here are a decent addition, but only appeal to hardcore WT fans who need to get their hands on absolutely every one of the band's recordings.
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