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| The Heart of Everything | 
 enlarge | Artist: Within Temptation
Label: Roadrunner Records
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $7.20
You Save: $10.78 (60%)
New (36) Used (16) from $6.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  54 reviews
Sales Rank: 1904
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.3
MPN: 180212
UPC: 016861802127
EAN: 0016861802127
ASIN: B000ROALIU
Release Date: July 24, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Truely a "tour de force" December 18, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Within Temptation are back with their newest album, their first to be released in North America. While there were initial concerns regarding their album after the first single, "What Have You Done" was released, it is obvious that this band has still kept with not only their style; but their creativity as well. In short, WT has stayed with what has made them successful. Swirling orchestras, choirs, instrumentals, epic riffs, soft ballads, sweeping melodies, and more all combine in a mastery of styles to produce another gem of an album.
Made originally for The Chronicles of Spellborn, "The Howling" starts off the album. Sharon's vocals are harsh here; but, she sings with such power it draws the listener in. The guitar riffs are excellent as usual. It's a sweeping piece regarding war, human nature, chaos, and regret. For a starting song it's a masterpiece.
After "The Howling" dies down, we're given "What Have You Done." Unfortunately, this is the only song I can say I didn't enjoy. Sharon's voice is haunting, especially in the beginning of the Extended Version. However, the song doesn't seem to fit with WT's style. It seems quite generic and bland.
Luckily, that's the only downer here. "Frozen" arrives in a whirlwind as the first slow song. A lovely ballad revolving around domestic abuse, it easily touches the soul. The song needs no loud riffs to make it interesting, it's perfect on its own. You can feel the power of the words and a picture of the events taking place, which form the basis for this lovely ballad.
"Our Solemn Hour" bursts in unexpectedly on the listener. WT has brought the entire choir, orchestra, and Winston Churchill (well just his famous speech) with them on this bombastic, yet epic song. "Our Solemn Hour" is phenomenal. The chorus is sung partly in Latin as Sharon adds to it's power contrasting her vocals with both the choir, and Robert's growls. The instrumentals not only draw one into that world, but won't release you. In fact, you won't want to be released from it. It's one of the shortest songs on the album; but you'll enjoy every minute of it. I've never heard anything like this song. It goes beyond Masterpiece for me. I can easily state that this is my favourite song on the album.
The title track is next. It's a great song, everything fits together well. However, for a title track it seems to be missing something. I can't put my finger on it; but I feel WT was holding back for some reason. Overall, it's a great song despite that. It's easy to get caught up in and a joy to listen to.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, "Hand of Sorrow" soars into the listener's ears. Lost love, war, fantasy, loyalty, and more, combine with the lovely instrumentals, make this song a mastery of styles. There's contrasting elements combined, harshness, softness, and Sharon's voice to contend with here. It combines to create a solid, sorrowful song that will not fail to capitvate you.
"The Cross" is another such treat. It's slow and fast simultaneously, with strong lyrics and metaphorical allegory. Passionate singing and the inclusion of a cello allow the song to shine. Ruud Jolie also makes an appearance here with backing vocals - though you might not notice them at first. Either way, the song itself could stand alone as a highlight of the album.
"Final Destination" isn't a bad song, it's just the "Aquarius" of this album. It's nothing horrible; but nothing amazing either. It's more of a filler song. It's not as amazing as some of the others.
"All I Need" is a sweet song that will touch your heart. It's a lighthearted and overall happy ballad. Prepare to feel all warm and fuzzy inside when listening. It really revolves around the people that mean something to you. It's well done and WT proves that they don't have to just stick with sadder songs to be successful.
"All I Need" ends, and "The Truth Beneath the Rose" is unleashed upon us. I say unleashed, because clocking in somewhere around 7 minutes, you won't feel the time go by. The beat could be attributed to LOTR in a way, while the song itself is both about regret, realization of mistakes, thinking for oneself, and the terrible things that people do while hiding behind a belief. The song is spine-tingling. It's also chilling to the bone, especially at two parts: "How can blood be our salvation and justify the pain that we have caused throughout the times? Will I learn what's truely sacred, will I redeem my soul?" and "Forgive me my sins!" where Sharon's voice soars. Everything is perfect in this piece. I love it.
The best of the ballads finishes off the album. "Forgiven" not only mentions sorrow; but also does something different. It describes the situation and sadness, then speaks about being able to forgive. It's a song about healing. The lyrics are mature, which is wonderful to have. This makes it realistic because it never delves into "woe is me" territory. Instead it focuses on the issue, forgiveness, and moving on in life.
"The Heart of Everything" is one of the best albums of the year, in my opinion, for all reasons stated above. I'd suggest checking it out. You won't be disappointed. If you're familiar with Within Temptation's other albums, you should love this.
5/5
Their best so far January 17, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What an awesome album!!! Truely amazing.
WT have the mix spot on here. From the pumping rock on the heavy tracks to the faultless singing (thankfully less operatic than previous albums) and rousing orchestral work, it all gells into their finest album so far.
The Heart Of Everything is heavier than previous efforts but is still catchy and unlike a lot of symphonic metal, each track doesn't sound like the last. Their previous album, The Silent Force raised the bar, this takes it even higher. Almost every track is an absolute gem.
The Howling is a great opener. All the elements are here. One of the albums heavier tracks.
What Have You Done is the lead single and is a great track but with the male duet vocal it sounds too close to the popular Evanesance's Wake Me Up.
Frozen slows the tempo but keeps the rock levels up. A good track but not a standout. A little radio safe perhaps it was released as the second single.
One Solemn Hour is my favorite. Sounds like it's pulled straight from the climax in a big budget disaster/action hollywood movie. The louder the better with this one.
The Heart Of Everything is another down tempo nice rock tune. Not one of the highlights but a good track.
Hand Of Sorrow is another standout. The crashing intro would also be right at home on a movie sound track. Great song.
The Cross is the best of what could be deemed as the albums two filler songs.
Final Destination is the second and while good, isn't memorable enough.
All I need is the first of two ballads and the albums fourth single. A terrible film clip but a brilliant song. Another standout. Great vocal work.
The Truth Behind The Rose is the albums epic and another highlight. A tad over 7 minutes it contains all the elements sym metal needs. A choral ending that could have been lifted from 'O Fortuna'.
Forgiven is soft and delicate and truely wonderful. A close second faorite to One Solemn Hour though the two couldn't be further apart. Just a piano, some strings and Sharon's voice. Builds nicely but not overdone. Similar to the previous albums closer 'Somewhere' but even better.
You must try this album and it's predecessor, The Silent Force. I agree, some symphonic rock can sound the same but you won't find that here.
Worth the Price! January 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the special edition of Within Temptation's newest release: The Heart of Everything. It includes a bonus dvd with a concert done in Japan, as well as some music videos. I was very impressed with the concert, Sharon is such an entertaining singer and seems so kind. This is a region 0 PAL format disc, which means it will play on any dvd player which is PAL acceptable. Most US players are NTSC format only, so you should check your player before you buy. It worked fine on my laptop. I think that this is one of the only Within Temptation dvds that is not Region 2 (Europe), so if you are a fan in another part of the world I highly recommend getting it so you can see how amazing they are in concert! :D There are also 3 bonus acoustic tracks on the cd, all are great but I especially love "What have you done" and "Ice Queen"! :D If you are a fan, this is worth the higher price. For another good concert dvd, I recommend Nightwish's "End of an Era", it is simply amazing.
AMAZING February 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I absolutely love this album. A lot of great songs, I would recommend it to any Within Temptation fan, and if you're not, you should be
Another EXCELLENT album! February 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was able to see Within Temptation LIVE during the tour for this album back in Sept. '07. OH MY GOD!!!!!! They were even better in person! I recommend this album and ever other album this band has. Never have I had a band that I absolutely LOVED everything that they sang. If you get a chance to see them in concert, take my advise...GO! You will NOT be disappointed. I hope they come back to the US this year for another tour. I'll be there! If you like Sharon's singing, check her out in "No Compliance" by Delain. AWESOME!!!!!
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