We dub ‘The Unforgiving’
WITHIN TEMPTATION (Live Photos) THREE
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| Sharon den Adel of Within Temptation |
September 12, 2011
Rams Head Live
Baltimore, Md.
By Jeff Maki
“The Unforgiving Tour” was Within Temptation’s late summer North American mini-tour, which made stops in only six cities: Toronto, Montreal, Worcester, New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia. It was the band's first time in the United States since touring in support of The Heart of Everything in 2007. I had last seen the band live at Jaxx Nightclub in Springfield, Va., which is a great venue to see rare U.S. shows from popular “Euro-metal” bands. It was there that we first had the privilege of interviewing vocalist Sharon den Adel (Read here). (We did so again before a show at the Recher Theatre in Towson, Md.) (Read here)
Rams Head Live sits next to Power Plant Live!, just a few blocks from the Inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore and is a venue bands seem eager to play. With multi-level balconies, a large stage and great sound, the venue is a hugecontrast to the dimly-lit, barroom-type clubs I mentioned above. Many of the shows lately haven’t exactly been a huge draw, so it was encouraging to see fans lined up at the doors when we arrived. I had suspected many fans probably would come from far and wide for this limited chance to see Within Temptation, and my suspicion was confirmed when Sharon thanked many fans from traveling in from abroad.
In a transformation that began with The Heart of Everything (review), Sharon den Adel is no longer just the fairy-princess-soprano from the Mother Earth days. Even at 37, and after three children, she is edgier and has further streamlined her look into more of a sexy ‘80s metal chick, complete with tight leather pants and a somewhat revealing corset. She’s even dropped a lot of her dancing and hand movements, instead swinging her hair, running around and thrashing about.
The band has said they closed their chapter of symphonic gothic metal, with The Heart of Everything encompassing all they had set out to accomplish within those restraints. As a result, their 2011 concept album, The Unforgiving (review), keeps the spirit and some aspects of old Within Temptation while opening creative doors with a strong ‘80s metal and new wave influence. The band truly is inspired by the album and the new direction in which it is headed. Guitarist (and Sharon’s husband) Robert Westerholt even suggested to me in an interview two days prior to the show that this could be only the beginning of The Unforgiving story and he sees many directions it could go. This confidence and inspiration was evident by the band playing seven songs from the album with the short film intermissions of Mother Maiden and Sinead shown in between.
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| Guitarist Ruud Adrianus Jolie |
Of the new material, the heavier, near-power metal songs “Iron” and “In the Middle of the Night” had a good response, even with a mishap from Sharon (I’ll get to this in a minute). But it was the singles “Faster” and later “Sinead” that had the entire floor bouncing in unison to the poppy dance vibe. It was like a metal dance party, a celebration of Within Temptation.
The rest of the band—rhythm guitarist Robert Westerholt, bassist Jeroen van Veen, lead guitarist Ruud Adrianus Jolie, keyboardist Martijn Spierenburg and drummer Mike Coolen—was full of energy, constantly changing positions onstage and clearly feeling the music, particularly Westerholt, whose his face looked like he could feel every note running through his veins.
Sharon was feeling something, too, but I think it was “the bug.” I had another interview scheduled with her prior to the show, but it ended up being with Robert instead due to her coming down with a “sore throat.” She said onstage that she was having problems with her voice, and I could see her coughing between lines and songs. It looked like she was struggling and not feeling too hot, but like a professional, she made it through the show and gave the fans what they came for. I think she was improvising and altering her voice on certain parts to combat her ailment. She had a lot going on and this caused a few mishaps during the set, like throwing off the beginning of “In the Middle of the Night” and almost introducing a wrong song before Robert stopped her. But you know what? The band seemed to have fun with it, I don’t care and I don’t think anyone else did either.
“The Howling,” “What Have You Done” and another newer live staple; “Our Solemn Hour,” were played off of The Heart of Everything. I began to feel the adrenaline at this point, shouting along to the Keith Caputo (Life of Agony) parts of “What Have You Done.” Sharon gave us a “thumbs up.” The rest of the set was made up of classics such as “Ice Queen,” “Memories,” “Angels,” “Stand My Ground” and, of course, “Mother Earth.” It was during “Mother Earth” that Sharon once again broke out her trademark “dance,” suggesting they haven’t fully left their past behind. Of the older material, the nearly eight-minute “Deceiver of Fools” from Mother Earth was absolutely phenomenal played in its entirety. It was so good that during this song, for a minute, I found myself longing for the days when they solely played this style, the days when I first discovered With Temptation.
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Within Temptation belong in a larger theater or even an arena setting. They are larger than life and should be too big for clubs and smaller venues. Even Rams Head Live doesn’t seem like it does them justice. But here in the U.S., that part is relegated to Flyleaf or Evanescence. It’s a shame more people over here haven’t heard this band, because fans know Sharon’s voice is one of the most recognizable to come out of metal, and in my opinion, their music is far superior to those mentioned.
But for now, about 800 or so fans enjoyed one of their favorite bands in an intimate setting few may get to experience. It was a performance and a night I won’t soon forget. And according to what Westerholt said, Within Temptation will back in the United States within a year. I can’t wait.
Set list:
(Mother Maiden short film)
“Shot in the Dark”
“In the Middle of the Night”
“Faster”
“Fire and Ice”
“Ice Queen”
“Iron”
“Our Solemn Hour”
“Stand My Ground”
(Sinead short film)
“Sinead”
“What Have You Done”
“The Howling”
“Angels”
“Memories”
(encore)
“Deceiver of Fools”
“Mother Earth”
(encore)
“Stairway to the Skies” |
