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Otherworldly melodies
Renowned for encompassing a variety of techniques and sounds borrowed from other genres, Dutch symphonic metal outfit Within Temptation have taken a generous leap into the future of metal in their seventh studio album, Resist. According to their own imaginations and current perceptions of symphonic metal, Within Temptation have looked at the widespread popularity of pop, placed a dark veil over it, and stepped through some kind of shimmering waterfall in an attempt to spin something quite different. Read: attempt.
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In setting out to write what is arguably a concept album, one that aims to capture the more futuristic possibilities in metal, you’d think Within Temptation (particularly given their tenure and output) would stretch to incorporate, or at least mesh together, more futuristic and psychedelic production techniques with the classicism of their own sound. This, unfortunately, doesn’t happen.
Resist is wicked to listen to, mind you, it still retains that classic sensationalism we’ve always loved in Within Temptation.
Endless War boasts a wonderful operatic swoon across some otherworldly melodies in the instruments, Raise Your Banner kind of begins like the original Star Trek theme before relentlessly crashing into more folk-metal vocalisations, and Trophy Hunter flirts with the idea of delivering a more elite flavour but never quite gets there. It’s not hard to understand what Within Temptation are trying to do, it’s just hard to understand why they couldn’t quite fully give shape to their intensely powerful ideas.
Resist is wicked to listen to, mind you, it still retains that classic sensationalism we’ve always loved in Within Temptation; the passionate rebellion is evident and the thirst to execute new ideas is infectious. But as far as a futuristic nuance and a development of previously uncharted territory, Within Temptation have narrowly missed the mark.
STANDOUT TRACKS: The Reckoning, Supernova, Mad World
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