The Silent Force - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
2004 album from the popular Dutch melodic/goth metal outfit. Picture CD with no cover artwork. 13 tracks. * Please note there are no liner notes included on this release, as intended by the label!

Album Details
Standard Version with Booklet. The Band was Formed in 1996 by Guitarist Robert Westerholt and Singer Sharon Den Adel. Their Single "Ice Queen" Reached the Number One Position in May Charts, Both in the Netherlands and in Belgium in 2002. Their 'mother Earth' Full Length Went Platinum in the Netherlands and the Gold Status in Belgium. Fans of Nightwish, Lacuna Coil Seven Evanescence Will Like this Band.

Customer Reviews: Read 28 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Weaving the best of, well, all the worlds! December 21, 2004
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

With "The Silent Force", WT scores a direct hit, capable of satisfying fans in all backgrounds without coming across as shallow or "watered down". Silent Force contains the trademark WT angelic vocals, but with far more organic and original symphonic orchestration and backing choirs than any of their previous works, following a widening trend in the wake of other "operatic" female vocal-fronted bands like Nightwish, Epica, or Octavia. (Though not to say WT are pretenders to the throne and playing copycat. They were one of the original pioneers of this sound many years ago, and have matured and refined this sound to the present magnum opus of The Silent Force.)

The Silent Force is anything but silent, and the album envelops you into a very rich and textured musical environment, weaving Sharon's beautiful vocals into a tapestry of crunchy guitars and lush orchestration. The chorus and anthems are epic, the softer songs are tender and moving, and the heavy parts just plain rock. This album has something for a wide range of music fans: from Evanescence-type music fans, to Gothic metal fans, to those who prefer "intelligent" symphonic music, or who are just looking for something different than the usual top 40 pop-tart music.

The first single released from this album, Stand My Ground, was purely designed to be a single, and sticks out from the rest of the songs on the CD. It is not stylistically representative of the rest of the songs on the album though by itself it is pretty enjoyable to listen to. Though some fans have cried foul and "sellout" when hearing this track on the radio (and I admit that when I first heard the single on the radio, I got worried that the new album would be entirely like Stand My Ground) it serves to give WT a foothold on the cookie-cutter radio and TV stations, which I have little problem with.

Stand out tracks that immediately captivate the listener and run through one's mind long after the CD has been turned off are Jilian (an orchestrated and epic metal anthem), Memories, Forsaken, See Who I Am, and It's The Fear (catchy chorus, probably a good choice for the second single).

All songs on this album are good, and the long wait after WT's last album was sure worth the wait. Buy this album, and disappointment will not be found!

5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional February 9, 2005
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

Within Temptation is a talented band from Holland or Netherlands if you prefer who's lead singer is Sharon den Adel and she's as pretty as her voice is. There's a video of one of the songs on the album and she's a knockout. The music is symphonic metal with orchestral and choir backing. It is highly melodic and enchanting. If you know and like the band Nightwish then this is for you.

Some of the best songs are "See Who I Am", which starts with a huge sound then smartly slows down only to come back with the big catchy chorus, "Jillian (I'd give my Heart)" is just great with it's gigantic intro followed by the choir and Sharon's impeccable voice on the choruses and Stand my Ground" is slick the way it starts out sedately then explodes into a "don't mess with me" warrior mentality with the orchestra and choir. "Angels" is kind of appropriate with a heavenly Angelic sound and what can you say about "Pale"? Has there ever been a prettier melody in a song?

Taken as a whole there isn't much variety since each song does resemble the others but that homogenous sound doesn't bother me. In some ways it reminds me of a fine musical score where a change of style could be jolting.

I am really amazed that there are people that gave this album less than four stars. From beginning to end it's a great album. Is it better than their previous blockbuster, Mother Earth? It's close, I'd say probably not but only by the slimest of margins.

Similar Bands
Nightwish, Edenbridge, Visions of Atlantis, Dreams of Sanity, Enya, Loreena McKinnett

5 out of 5 stars

Enchanting!!! February 22, 2005
8 out of 11 found this review helpful

I had been enchanted by WT. I have never heard such an enchanting symphonic metal abum ever.... No doubt there are tons of symphonic metal band b4 WT but I still think WT has their unique sound and signatures.... As I am writing this review, I am also watching their music video on their web site. I love this symphonic metal genre type of music.... Love everything about it. Really stands out and distinguish itself from everything else. I don't have to say anything else cause most of it has been said. Let the music do the talking.... Highly recommended....

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing! May 31, 2005
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This album is a piece of art that comes to define the term, "musical talent". The singer's voice is incredible and the band is just outstanding! Hearing it from the first time reveals the huge effort spent to setup and mix the vocals, instruments, orchestra, and chorus. The commercial songs "Memories" and "Stand My Ground" are extraordinary, while the songs "Jillian", "Forsaken", and "It's The Fear" are just composed to make a deep notch on the surface of modern music. If you want to learn about classy-modern music, you should hear this album. The keyboardist (Martin Spierenburg), the singer (Sharon Den Adel), and the guitarist (Robert Westerholt) have done an excellent effort in composing the music, especially the keyboardist. I've never thought Gothic Rock would sound that cool!

5 out of 5 stars

My first WT cd July 7, 2006
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Being a huge fan of gothic metal bands such as Elis, Midnattsol, Leaves' Eyes and of course Nightwish, I have always wanted to check out Within Temptation but their cds aren't available in the states at regular prices. Thankfully I received a copy of the band's most recent album "Silent Force" from a friend. I immediately took to the music right away. It definitely goes without saying that Sharon Den Adel has a gorgeous voice. I personally thought her delicate vocals were eerily reminiscent of both Sarah Brightman as well as Liv Kristine of Leaves' Eyes/formerly of Theatre of Tragedy. The music in general is an epic proportion of metal laced with sumptuous goth melodies which often veered off into opera territory at times. I loved all the songs on the cd. All of the songs had a nice balance between the heavy metal guitar riffs and delicate goth melodies.

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