Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great album by WT, July 28, 2007
First I'd like to make one note. There are three versions of this album out. This version is probably the smartest choice. It's less than half the cost of the imports and it also includes one more song, Stand My Ground. Sure Stand My Ground has already been released on Silent Force. But you're still talking about half the cost and one added bonus song. It sounds like a no-brainer to me.
I got into Within Temptation with their album Silent Force. I immediately fell in love with their music. Their mix of orchestral music and heavy mettle riffing along with Sharon's amazing voice range landed their music as an instant staple in my collection.
This album is no less amazing. The lyrics can be related to by anyone. The variety in each song keeps the album from getting dull or redundant.
If you like Within Temptation, this album will not disappoint. If you've never heard their music before, I heavily suggest both this album and Silent Force. This album would probably be a great starting point, though, given it's price.
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22 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better, but not Great, July 26, 2007
Finally, I don't have to pay import fees for Within Temptation! Was it worth the wait? Of course, but more importantly, I was able to see them at a sold out show of 700 people. Small as all hell. The show was fantastic. Their music really shines live and it definitely changed my view of this, their latest album.
When I first heard the album, I listened through once and set it aside for a while. Nothing sounded new. What Have You Done was a cheap knock off of Evanescence and the rest of the album was just standard WT: verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, build up, chorus.
Well, I still think that WT are following too much of a formula (for non-formulaic, see The Gathering), but this album is much better than Silent Force and comes close to Mother Earth. WT still don't have their masterpiece. Mother Earth was great, but a tad unbalanced whereas the Silent Force was much more balanced to the point of being bland at times.
What shines here, for me, is everything. I don't have favorites. Obviously, certain songs like The Howling or the Heart of Everything are more approachable, but everything on here is good. You just have to find what that special something is in each song. For instance, the guitar solos or the interesting buildup in Heart of Everything right before the solo. I love that.
There are a lot of layers to these songs, too many sometimes (are they just putting monster sounds in for the hell of it?), but it adds a much needed depth that was lacking in the Silent Force. Overall, this album is good, not very technically proficient, but they write good songs and Sharon has an amazing voice. If you EVER have the chance to see them live, do. They are fantastic performers with a great sound live. Oh, and you might just find yourself liking songs you originally didn't understand.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Won't repent to a mortal whom is all to blame, October 18, 2007
It should be noted that I'm new to Within Temptation--this being my first CD by them--so with that in mind, I love this CD. For whatever reason I always got Within Temptation and After Forever mixed up (my apologies if you take offense to that), seeing as how I'm not a huge fan of dual male/female vocals like what After Forever sport, you'd see the reason I kind of passed over WT for so long. What brought me to finally buy a WT CD? Stand My Ground.
For me, The Heart Of Everything is one of those CDs where you kick yourself for not listening to it sooner. There's a little bit of everything on here...powerful riffs, sing-a-long choruses, great verses, excellent lyrics, and possibly my favorite ingredient, a few of the songs truly have that 'epic' feel to them. Since buying THOE I haven't stopped listening to it and it only gets better with each further spin. I only find myself saying "Oop! Now there's a good song!" It's been a long while since a CD has evoked this kind of emotion in me.
Being new to WT, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into so I just put the CD in and let it play. The Howling came on and, well, it's beyond the most perfect opener. It has that 'epic' feel I mentioned and Sharon's delivery only elevates the song more. Past that, if you're looking for some heavy tracks, What Have You Done (I prefer the extended version myself), Our Solemn Hour, The Heart Of Everything, Final Destination, and The Truth Beneath The Rose are all right up your alley. Feel like a ballad? All I Need and Forgiven are among the most tasteful I've heard recently. As for the rest, Frozen, Hand of Sorrow, The Cross, and Stand My Ground are all extremely impressive as well.
My favorite songs are The Howling, Frozen, Final Destination, All I Need, and Stand My Ground. If you're the least bit interested in female-fronted bands then definitely check this out. WT put most bands like them to shame and that's coming from someone who is in LOVE with female-fronted bands. Past that, I got nothing more to add. Highly recommended.
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