One of the more successful female-fronted metal bands to emerge from the Netherlands has been Within Temptation.  Since their inception, the members who were at one point in the band, have gone on to form other bands such as Delain and Kingfisher Sky.  For all of the defections though, the one constant with Within Temptation is vocalist Sharon den Adel, and they continue forward with a new album in The Unforgiving.  If you’re familiar with the band, then you know what you’re getting.

The Unforgiving begins with a spoken word intro in “Why Not Me,” which doesn’t really add anything to the album, so in earnest, the album begins with “Shot in the Dark.”  It is here that two things become evident with Within Temptation: their overall sound leans more towards the rock side of things, and the emphasis of the band’s identity is toward vocalist Sharon den Adel.  Both things are not exactly news to long time fans of the band, but in the event that one is just getting to know about them, this is what to expect from the band.  The only real difference is that the music just seems to lack feeling, and the vocals are overcompensating for this, which is most notable on “In the Middle of the Night.”  In fact, the music sounds more mechanical in its approach, something that wasn’t always the case, even on their previous album The End of Everything.  Outside of den Adel’s performance, the only other bright spot on the album is “Fire and Ice,” a ballad that showcases the band’s true strengths, as well as showing that there is still life in the music.  However, it just can’t overcome the glaring weaknesses that surface on the album.

Within Temptation has been at it for a while, and while the one-time members have gone on to form other bands, Within Temptation has always managed to stay relevant to a degree.  Unfortunately, it seems that it is all catching up to them on The Unforgiving.  Take away the vocals and a rather soulless affair is what’s left of The Unforgiving.

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*Comments:

1.  Why Not Me
2.  Shot in the Dark
3.  In the Middle of the Night
4.  Faster
5.  Fire and Ice
6.  Iron
7.  Where is the Edge?
8.  Sinéad
9.  Lost
10.  Murder
11.  A Demon’s Fate
12.  Stairway to the Skies

Total playing time:  53:42

Release Date: March 25, 2011
Label: Roadrunner Records

Within Temptation - The Unforgiving

Reviewer: Peter

April 4, 2011