Within Temptation

Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded in April 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. They have been classified by critics as gothic metal and symphonic metal, although each album contains other influences outside these genres. Their most prominent and well-known sound is described as symphonic metal, although their earlier material, such as debut album ''Enter'', was mostly gothic metal,Sharpe-Young, "Metal: The Definitive Guide" (2007), p. 294 with ''Enter'' also having a hint of doom metal. In an interview, den Adel said they fell into a symphonic rock genre with various influences. In another interview, den Adel stated that "We consider ourselves more an atmospheric melodic symphonic metal/rock band... In my opinion, we are not a gothic band but we have gothic elements".

After the release of their debut album ''Enter'' in 1997, the band became prominent in the Dutch underground scene. It was not until 2001 that they became known to the general public, with the single " Ice Queen" from their second album ''Mother Earth'', which reached No. 2 on the Dutch charts. This was followed by the band winning the Conamus Exportprijs, a Dutch music award, four years in a row, and a fifth in 2016. Their next albums ''The Silent Force'' (2004) and '' The Heart of Everything'' (2007) debuted at No. 1 on the Dutch charts and expanded their international recognition. In 2008, they released ''Black Symphony'', a live album recorded with the Metropole Orchestra. This was followed in 2009 by ''An Acoustic Night at the Theatre'', another live album, this time with acoustic renditions of the songs.

The band's fifth studio album, '' The Unforgiving'', was released in March 2011 and was one part of a transmedia effort, alongside both a comic book series and a series of short films that together encompass a story. The album saw the band increasingly venturing on new musical territories outside symphonic metal. Their sixth studio album, '' Hydra'', was released in early 2014 in Japan, Europe, and the United States. The album advanced the band's exploration of new musical genres and features guest appearances from various artists: Finnish singer Tarja Turunen, who appears in the lead single " Paradise (What About Us?)"; Howard Jones, former vocalist of American metalcore band Killswitch Engage; Dave Pirner, lead vocalist of American alternative rock band Soul Asylum; and American rapper Xzibit. The band had extensive airplay on BBC Radio 2 in the United Kingdom with one of the songs from the album, "Whole World Is Watching" featuring Pirner.

Their latest studio album, ''Resist'', was released in February 2019 and incorporates influences from other musical styles such as industrial and EDM. By 2016, the band had already sold more than 3.5 million albums worldwide.

History

Formation

Long-term partners Robert Westerholt (guitar) and Sharon den Adel (vocals) began the band in 1996, after Westerholt left his previous band, The Circle. The Circle renamed themselves "Voyage" and released an album called ''Embrace'', including a song featuring den Adel. Soon after that release the band broke up.

Westerholt then joined with den Adel in forming a doom metal band called "The Portal", including former The Circle band members Jeroen van Veen on bass guitar and Michiel Papenhove on guitar, as well as Martijn Westerholt on the keyboard and Dennis Leeflang on drums (later replaced by Ivar de Graaf). However, they renamed themselves "Within Temptation", before they started recording their demo, ''Enter''. The ''Enter'' demo contained some songs that would later be released in their first album. They were offered a recording contract and signed to DSFA Records later that year, beginning work on their first album.

''Enter'' and first national tour (1997–1999)

''Enter'', the debut album, was released in 1997. The album was well received and the band embarked on a four gig tour across the country, after which they performed at the ''Dynamo Open Air'' festival in Eindhoven