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| The Heart of Everything | 
 enlarge | Artist: Within Temptation
Label: Roadrunner Records
Category: Music
List Price: $17.98
Buy New: $9.75
You Save: $8.23 (46%)
New (33) Used (12) from $6.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  55 reviews
Sales Rank: 1580
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:
 America's First Taste Of Within Temptation! July 25, 2007
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Finally, after years of wishing and waiting, Within Temptation's debut American release has been released! THE HEART OF EVERYTHING (once again) does not disappoint and is a very worthy follow-up to their previous masterpiece, THE SILENT FORCE. The album starts off with the sweet harmonizing of Sharon Den Adel's beautiful vocals before the band and epic sounding orchestra kick in on the album opener, "The Howling." Then the second song is the first single from the album called "What Have You Done" featuring male vocals courtesy of Keith Caputo from Life Of Agony. Next up is the beautiful and powerful epic ballad, "Frozen" (which will be the 2nd single). It is also my personal favorite from this album. "Our Solemn Hour" is not one of my personal favorites, however the guitar solo is a most welcome addition to the song. The title track "The Heart Of Everything" is my least favorite song off the album. "Hand Of Sorrow," "The Cross" and the heavier "Final Destination" are all great, classic and epic sounding Within Temptation songs. "All I Need" is another softer ballad which again allows Sharon's vocals to shine over a simple but great string soundscape. "Stand My Ground" is a bonus track which was added to the American release of this album, however it was originally featured on their previous album. "The Truth Beneath The Rose" is a rather long, and somewhat repetitive song, although it is still great and Sharon's haunting harmonizing vocals are incredible! Then the album closes with a soft piano ballad called "Forgiven." The last bonus track is just the original version of "What Have You Done." Overall this album is a fantastic work of art and I feel that it strongly outdid both the latest releases from Lacuna Coil and Evanescence. It is now time for Within Temptation to be in the spotlight and show America what they have been showing European countries for many years now. If this album is promoted correctly then I truly believe that Within Temptation will take America by storm. Definitely pick this one up!
 Finally, a US release! July 27, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Within Temptation are back with their latest arsenal of symphonic rock and metal songs bound to infest themselves in the listener's mind for days on end, and while The Heart of Everything may not benefit from strong orchestral emphasis (as seen on their previous album), it will surely retain WT's loyal fanbase, and will no doubt be their key to crack into the US market.
When I first listened to this album (half asleep on a tour bus in France, mind you), I wasn't sure what to think. There are some notable changes from the band's last album: Sharon's vocals don't quite come off as angelic as they did on "Jillian" or "Dark Wings," instead remaining in a somewhat lower key for the majority of the first few tracks - with virtually none of the high-pitched screeching that distinguished them from the rest of the symphonic metal pack. "The Howling" is a good example of this - much of the verses feature shouted vocals from Sharon that may take some getting used to, but actually suit the song quite nicely.
The next two tracks, "What Have You Done" and "Frozen" were rather disappointing for me. The first makes "Stand My Ground" look like Dark Tranquillity, and I can only assume that this was forced by the band's label. Anyone who said this song sounded like "Bring Me to Life" was right on the mark. Half the vocals are done by Life of Agony frontman Keith Caputo, and as far as I'm concerned, he's no longer welcome on a WT song again. :P That aside, there's really little here to maintain my interest, and "Frozen" is nothing to write home about either. Sharon's vocals seem strained during the chorus, similar to those of Alanis Morissette's, but not in an attractive way.
Fortunately the album picks up its pace with the appealing "Our Solemn Hour," which will surely win over a live audience. The strangest track of the album, the title track, follows, which marks the biggest departure for Sharon - entirely abandoning her falsetto roots for a deeper, grungier vocal. And this time their experimentation worked. "Hand of Sorrow" revisits the older days of WT, sounding closer to Mother Earth-era writing than anything else.
Another favorite, "The Cross," benefits from a well-rounded chorus and better-than-average lyrics, while "Final Destination," a slightly less memorable but altogether decent track should please fans. "All I Need" is the second ballad from the album (they usually come in threes), and while not their finest ballad to date, still surpasses "Frozen." "The Truth Beneath the Rose," the longest track of the album is a success - combining a beautiful symphonic intro with reflective lyrics that may or may not have been inspired by the Beauty of the Beast. Our third ballad, "Forgiven," is also a winner, stripped down to a keyboard and Sharon's beautiful vocals that will send chills down your spine.
Overall, I think this was a very good buy. It doesn't look like the band will surpass their magnum opus, 2000's Mother Earth, but that doesn't mean they'll stop putting out other great albums for their fans. While there are a couple misses, the majority of the songs here are hits and I hope any Americans with taste in music will make the wise decision to buy this CD when it's released domestically in July.
Highlights: The Howling, The Heart of Everything, Hand of Sorrow, The Cross, The Truth Beneath the Rose, Forgiven
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Originally reviewed on April 30. Here's hoping more American fans will check out this great band, and hopefully dig into their back catalog as well. :)
Won't repent to a mortal whom is all to blame October 18, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
It should be noted that I'm new to Within Temptation--this being my first CD by them--so with that in mind, I love this CD. For whatever reason I always got Within Temptation and After Forever mixed up (my apologies if you take offense to that), seeing as how I'm not a huge fan of dual male/female vocals like what After Forever sport, you'd see the reason I kind of passed over WT for so long. What brought me to finally buy a WT CD? Stand My Ground.
For me, The Heart Of Everything is one of those CDs where you kick yourself for not listening to it sooner. There's a little bit of everything on here...powerful riffs, sing-a-long choruses, great verses, excellent lyrics, and possibly my favorite ingredient, a few of the songs truly have that 'epic' feel to them. Since buying THOE I haven't stopped listening to it and it only gets better with each further spin. I only find myself saying "Oop! Now there's a good song!" It's been a long while since a CD has evoked this kind of emotion in me.
Being new to WT, I didn't really know what I was getting myself into so I just put the CD in and let it play. The Howling came on and, well, it's beyond the most perfect opener. It has that 'epic' feel I mentioned and Sharon's delivery only elevates the song more. Past that, if you're looking for some heavy tracks, What Have You Done (I prefer the extended version myself), Our Solemn Hour, The Heart Of Everything, Final Destination, and The Truth Beneath The Rose are all right up your alley. Feel like a ballad? All I Need and Forgiven are among the most tasteful I've heard recently. As for the rest, Frozen, Hand of Sorrow, The Cross, and Stand My Ground are all extremely impressive as well.
My favorite songs are The Howling, Frozen, Final Destination, All I Need, and Stand My Ground. If you're the least bit interested in female-fronted bands then definitely check this out. WT put most bands like them to shame and that's coming from someone who is in LOVE with female-fronted bands. Past that, I got nothing more to add. Highly recommended.
Pompous, overblown, symphonic - best album of 2007 February 5, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Firstly, comparing Within Temptation unfavourably to Evanescence is a bit like turning your nose up at Bollinger whilst simultaneously extolling the virtues of Wal Mart cut-price grape juice. Amy Lee whines a bit and navel-gazes a lot and writes largely inane lyrics and occasionally comes up with a half-decent song like Going Under.
WT, on the other hand, boast Sharon den Adel whose ethereal voice is a thing of great beauty, great passion and great power. WT's songwriting is far more subtle and interesting - these guys (and gal) know their way round a fantastic tune. Oh, and if we're talking chronology and copy-cattery, WT's inception pre-dates that of Evanescence by about two years. If you MUST compare WT to any band, let it be one of the calibre of The Gathering or Nightwish. (Both of whom I have a soft spot for, but neither of whom surpass WT in my eyes.)
So, anyway, T.H.O.E. is a classic. It bulges with a handful of songs which have already joined the Heavy Metal pantheon forever, I believe. Yes, I think The Howling, What Have You Done?, Frozen, Our Solemn Hour, The Cross and Forgiven have all earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Black Sabbath, Better By You, Better Than Me, The Phantom of the Opera (think the Maiden rather than Michael Crawford and West End/Broadway stages!), In the Still of the Night, One, Angel of Death, Livin' On A Prayer, The Final Countdown, Samarithan, The Clerical Conspiracy, Smoke on the Water, Stairway to Heaven, Let There Be Rock, K.I.N.G., Spiritual Healing, Wild Child, Eye of the Tiger, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Ace of Spades, Bohemian Rhapsody etc etc etc.
Sure, T.H.O.E. sags a bit in the final third, but there's not an album in existence that doesn't have its boring bits. WT are a phenomenon. They are a peerless live band and you get the feeling that, sure, as they mature they progress and evolve in all sorts of ways, but they started off with such astounding quality that their earlier albums are as essential as this one. I mean, jeez! Enter and Restless and Ice Queen and Mother Earth and Caged and Deceiver of Fools and Angels and Stand My Ground and Memories.... they've come up with classic after classic ever since they burst onto the scene. I don't see this kind of quality in any other band today. WT are the epitome of Metal in the Noughties!
Could They be the next Evanescence or Nightwish? February 29, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The Heart Of Everything is one of those CDs that has a little bit of everything on here. Powerful riffs, sing-a-long choruses, great verses and excellent lyrics.
Being new to Within Temptation I thought this band was just going to be another Evanescence or Nightwish rip off. What this album has going for it is a combination of those 2 groups and it works well.
I didn't really know what I was getting myself into so I just put the CD in and let it play. After listening to this CD I was blown away. I am hooked. Sharon Den Adel has a voice that has many ranges and pitches. Within Temptation have been compared to Evanescence, lately. Don't be fooled. Within Temptation will never be as successful as Evanescence is (at least not in America).
Within Temptation may be similar in style. Sharon Den Adel is a very good singer. She's got an absolutely beautiful, strong voice. What really sets her apart from other singers is the amount of variety she can sing with. She sings every song with a very different style.
Within Temptation have the mix spot on here. From the pumping rock songs to the faultless singing and rousing orchestral work, it all works well.
The Howling
This song is a fairly heavy song, Sharon belts out the chorus and it is very catchy, and has a great music video to go along with it.
What Have You Done
This sing is the first single they released and is a the duet with Keith Caputo and it is easy to see why is was the first single. It is a great track but with the male duet vocal it sounds too close to the Evanescence's "Bring Me To Life". So I`m guessing that`s why they released it as the first single to try and tap into that Evanescence market. This is the most radio friendly song on the album.
Frozen
This song is a little more slowed down and ballad like than the previous two songs. This is another one that will grow on you. It's a very sad song and the music video conveys that even more. I love the way Sharon sings this song with so much emotion.
Our Solemn Hour
This song truly showcases the Within Temptation sound. Parts of the chorus are sung in Latin and it`s the chant which pretty much makes the song. It's a mixture of heavy and haunting at the same time.
The Heart of Everything
This song is an album highlight. I love the way Sharon sings the verse, very cruel, harsh, letting her phrases almost seem to growl. The contrast with the sweet way she sings the chorus is just great. The chorus is catchy and great. There is a far amount of soft growls in the background.
Hand of Sorrow
This song tends to be forgotten in the mix of all the other songs around it. It seems like a very religious and spiritual song. It also has a good chorus and well put together lyrics, but that doesn`t make any less of a good song. The verse is fairly slow, with just a piano and Sharon at the beginning.
The Cross
This song is slower than many of the other songs on the album but still fairly heavy at the same time. The background is part of what makes it so good. It's a tragic love song and Sharon sings this really haunting melody before the verses and behind the chorus.
Final Destination
This song isn't a bad song per say and it's nothing horrible, but nothing amazing either. It's more of a filler song. As usual it's sung and played to perfection. Just don't expect it to be as amazing as the other songs on the album. It just doesn`t stand out against all the other songs on the album.
All I Need
This song is a ballad and one of the slower songs on the album. It is a sweet song that will touch your heart. It's a lighthearted and overall happy ballad. Prepare to feel all good when listening to it. It really revolves around the people that mean something to you. It's well done and Within Temptation prove that they don't have to just stick with sad songs to be successful. Sharon's voice seem to be at her best on this song.
Stand my ground
This song is strong and inspiring. It has a memorable chorus that is very catchy. The guitar work is heavy and nice.
The Truth Beneath the Rose
This song is the longest song on the album coming in around 7 minutes. This song is on the epic side for Within Temptation, although not as epic as say "Ghost Love Score" from Nightwish it all runs together very smoothly. It's very nice. The song itself is both about regret and realization of mistakes, thinking for oneself, and the terrible things that people do while hiding behind a belief. Sharon's voice really soars on this song.
Forgiven
This song is even more of a ballad that "All I Need" is. The entire song is all piano and Sharon and a violin at times. Well not a memorable as the piano work from "My Immortal" by Evanescence it's still a very good song and shows that Sharon can carry a song almost by herself. I feel that if the song got a bit heavier towards the end it could have been Within Temptations' "My Immortal". It is a very beautiful song, especially the chorus and the way Sharon sings it so gently.
What have you Done Now (Extended Version)
This version of the song starts off a little more distorted and heavier but besides that, it is pretty hard to tell the difference. Except that it is a bit longer than the original version.
This is great stuff, a very strong album from an amazing band. With an amazing singer. Could this be the album or group with a female singer that unseats Evanescence from a top of their rock thrown at lease here in America.
As good as this album is only time will tell if Within Temptation is the next Evanescence or even Nightwish.
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