Dutch symphonic Metallers Within Temptation went from success to success since their inception over twenty years ago. Their sixth studio album Hydra was a worldwide smash on its release in 2014. As was the world tour which followed it.
Within Temptation
O2 Academy, Glasgow – 16th November 2018
Words: Ian Sutherland
Pictures: Ya Cheng
Things then went quiet for a while, however, Singer Sharon den Adel has since admitted that personal issues and a kind of writer’s block had led her to pursue a solo project rather than working on new band material. They are now back with a new album in Resist and a tour which has drawn a packed crowd.
Opening with new song Raise Your Banner the band’s iconic leading lady takes the title literally. Waving a large flag, Den Adel takes in the adulation from the audience. The band are a tight, hard working unit and guitarist Ruud Jolie enjoys his moments in the spotlight but the fact is now that founding member and husband to the band’s leading lady Robert Westerholt doesn’t tour, a Within Temptation show is a Sharon den Adel show.
There are good reasons to have a band rely so heavily on one member in this case as Ms den Adel not only has a special voice but is charismatic and has an authentic, likeable charm that reaches out to her audience and brings them closer in a warm Metal embrace. The new songs from Resist are well received. But it’s when the gems from the back catalogue are revealed that things really take off.
Roars of appreciation
Stand My Ground and Faster are met with roars of appreciation and massive singalong moments. The atmosphere is electric and the crowd really rock through tunes like Shot In The Dark. There is an unnecessary addition of a video appearance by Tarja Turunen in Paradise (What About Us). The audience are happier to sing the words with the icon on stage and not the screen.
When things are brought down a bit musically in the piano and vocal only Forgiven, or the Symphonic Metal power balladry of Mercy Mirror, that unique voice carries the hall along effortlessly, so beautiful and fragile sounding yet full of strength too.
The stronger side comes more to the fore on the classic celtic flavoured Mother Earth which ended the main set in old school WT style, generating much singing and punching of the air.
Man in a kilt
The inevitable encore featured another raucous singalong with What Have You Done and then a little comedy moment when Sharon asks for a fan in a kilt to come on stage and he turns out to be Polish.
The Scots don’t mind that though and he gets a cheer from the crowd and a beer from the band as he gets to watch a sublime Stairway To The Skies end the show from the stage.
Within Temptation looked in danger of imploding at one point but they’re back. With their iconic front woman in this kind of form they can keep going for as long as they want to. Resistance is futile.
“đź‘ŤÂ i was there. And it was absoulutly epic. I sang along,cheered and punched the air. Markus the polish man in kilt was a funny moment. Luv,d every song new and old. The band was on fire, and we luv,d it. And we want them back, still watchin vids from show. Long live within temptation. Resistence is futile”
John robinson
Sun, 18 Nov 2018 12:42:18 GMT
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