Within Temptation

Within Temptation is a female fronted goth/symphonic metal band from the Netherlands. Though the band is often compared to Evanescence having formed only a year after Evanescence formed. However, Within Temptation released their first studio album Enter on a major label the year before Evanescence finished their first self-released EP Evanescence.
But if you really dive into the music all the bands have in common are a female lead with strong vocals and a genre. Within Temptation has a darker, more mature, and less industrial sound. With pounding bass guitar, forceful vocals, and the often accompaniment of operatic chanting in the background which only Evanescence's Whisper sported. However, the most common comparison between the bands would have to be that of Within Temptation's What Have You Done to Evanescence's Bring Me To Life. But again there are really only a few similarities to the songs. The main similarity being the use of a contributing male artist to do "rap-like" backing vocals. But again, Evanescence has it's completely separate and more industrial sound, while Within Temptation sticks with their richer darker vibe.

To date Within Temptation has had five studio albums released, and has another one on it's way later this year.

Discography

Enter
(1997 DSFA Records)

1. Restless
2. Enter
3. Pearls Of Light
4. Deep Within
5. Gatekeeper
6. Grace
7. Blooded
8. Candles


Mother Earth
(2000 DSFA Records)

1. Mother Earth
2. Ice Queen
3. Our Farewell
4. Caged
5. The Promise
6. Never-Ending Story
7. Deceiver Of Fools
8. Intro
9. Dark Wings
10. In Perfect Harmony


The Silent Force
(2004 GUN Records)

1. Intro
2. See Who I Am
3. Jillian (I'd Give My Heart)
4. Stand My Ground
5. Pale
6. Forsaken
7. Angels
8. Memories
9. Aquarius
10. It's The Fear
11. Somewhere

The Heart Of Everything
(2007 Roadrunner Records)

1. The Howling
2. What Have You Done (featuring Keith Caputo)
3. Frozen
4. Our Solemn Hour
5. The Heart Of Everything
6. Hand Of Sorrow
7. The Cross
8. Final Destination
9. All I Need
10. The Truth Beneath The Rose
11. Forgiven


They've also release several live albums. And Have an endless list of b-sides and bonus tracks from various international releases. Check out their Wikipedia page for that info.


There's something about this band that is equally musically pleasing as it is haunting. Sharon den Adel's voice is quite versatile with clear operatic croons, to strong and forceful belting. The use of strings in addition to the usual heavy metal bass guitar adds this gorgeous and Phantom Of The Opera-esque sound to the music. And the occasional latin chanting in songs like Our Solemn Hour "Sanctus Espiritus" or "Holy Ghost" (more literally "holy breath") add this beautiful and haunting feel to their music.


Within Temptation
Our Solemn Hour
(The Heart Of Everything)


Lyrics:

Sanctus Espiritus! redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus! insanity is all around us
("I speak to you for the first time as Prime Minister in a solemn hour for the life of our country")

Sanctus Espiritus!
Sanctus Espiritus!
Sanctus Espiritus!

In my darkest hours
I could not foresee
That the tide could turn so fast to this degree
Can't believe my eyes
How can you be so blind?
Is the heart of stone, no empathy inside?

Time keeps on slipping away and we haven't learned
So in the end now what have we gained?

Sanctus Espiritus! redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus! insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus! is this what we deserve?
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?

Are they themselves to blame
The misery, the pain?
Didn't we let go?
Allowed it,let it grow
If we can't restrain
The beast which dwells inside
It will find it`s way somehow, somewhere in time

Will we remember all of the suffering
`Cause if we fail it will be in vain

Sanctus Espiritus, redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus, insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus, is this what we deserve?
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?

Sanctus Espiritus!
Sanctus Espiritus!
(" A tremendous battle is raging in France and Flanders. The Germans, by a remarkable combination of air bombing and heavily armored tanks, have broken through the French defenses north of the Maginot Line, and strong columns of their armored vehicles are ravaging the open country, which for the first day or two was without defenders...")

Sanctus Espiritus! redeem us from our solemn hour
Sanctus Espiritus! insanity is all around us
Sanctus Espiritus! is this what we deserve?
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony? (ending agony!)

Sanctus Espiritus! redeem us from our solemn hour (solemn hour!)
Sanctus Espiritus! insanity is all around us (all around us!)
Sanctus Espiritus! is this what we deserve?
Can we break free from chains of never-ending agony?

HIM - "And Love Said No: Greatest Hits 1997 - 2004"

My introduction to HIM (previously and sometimes still referred to as His Infernal Majesty, or shortened to H.I.M) was an introduction similar to many others I've experiences with other bands I've somehow gotten into. HIM was a name I had heard before ... I knew the genre was a melancholy mix of goth rock and metal, and I even knew they hailed not from the US, but Finland. I'd flirted with some of the band's tracks, listening to thirty-second previews on iTunes. I often caught myself staring in awe at some of the band's cover art, for albums such as Razorblade Romance (2000) or Greatest Lovesongs, Volume 666 (1997). However, for whatever reason, nothing could convince me to finally sit down and listen to any extent of the band's music.
But, as fate would have it, I finally had an HIM song thrust upon me; by watching a countdown on Fuse, as often occurs. The new music video for Killing Loneliness was airing, and I couldn't help but pay attention. From the very opening notes of the song - a piano melody, soon accompanied by heavy guitars and a whining keyboard - I was hooked, and as the song progressed, I fell more and more in love with everything about this band.
So, I finally forked over the cash and came home with HIM's greatest hits album, And Love Said No. Released in 2007, the album contains most every major track HIM has released since their first album was put out ten years prior.
And I must say, this album is anything but disappointing. Giving you a taste for every unique aspect of this band, And Love Said No draws you into a fantasy land of love ... and death.
This is an album review for HIM's And Love Said No: Greatest Hits 1997 - 2004.

HIM - And Love Said No: Greatest Hits 1997 - 2004 (2007)

1. And Love Said No - A soft track, the verses are formed mostly around one guitar theme. The choruses, however, pick up with crashing cymbals and powerful vocals. The lyrics in this song take my breath away and make it one of my favorites on the album.
2. Join Me In Death - Track Two embodies everything about H.I.M's obsession with love and death, and the combination of the two. The piano makes its first impact on the album, with the guitars taking a back seat to the drums which carry through the verses. And, as always, Ville Valo's exceptional vocal range creates a haunting mood around the entire track.
3. Buried Alive By Love - Picking up the pace, Track Three starts out strong and doesn't let up. While the volume or the tempo may waver, the intensity of this song never seems to wane. Some of my favorite vocals are on this track; specifically, in the pre-chorus. With powerful, desperate vocals and the strong guitar theme, this song is teeming with adrenaline.
4. Heartache Every Moment - The piano and keyboard open this track up and continue their presence in the choruses, giving this song its haunting presence. Rhythmic guitar and drum lines draw you in, and poetic lyrics tell another tale of love gone wrong. Not a standout, in my opinion, but not to be overlooked.
5. Solitary Man - Strumming guitars back up emotionally charged vocals to deliver another upbeat track. The chorus is definitely the highlight of Track Five, with it's catchy hook and melodies. Valo takes plenty of opportunities to exercises his vocal talents, especially noted before the brief guitar solo after the second chorus.
6. Right Here In My Arms - A lower vocal range during the verses gives this song a different sound from the others. Again, cymbal crashes carry us through the verses, with the guitars picking up right before the choruses and dying down afterwards. With lyrics and vocals both painful in essence, this track is certainly one which draws you in.
7. Funeral of Hearts - The band slows down the tempo without in Track Seven without losing any of the passion or desperation. An acoustic guitar strums in the background as the vocals rise and fall, with the piano and guitars each having their turn in the spotlight. The lyrics fill this track with so much raw emotion ... simply lovely.
8. In Joy And Sorrow - Track Eight keeps things soft and (bitter)sweet. Acoustic guitars and piano melodies take the stage behind another lower, captivating vocal range which tells this tragic love story. Simply a gorgeous track, it's impossible not to be drawn in.
9. Your Sweet 666 - One of the songs which has given HIM the label as a "satanic band". Whatever your opinion of the title or lyrics, this is the kind of song that you get stuck in your head. Personally, I adore this track, and find the lyrics heartbreaking and beautiful. Plenty of chances are taken throughout the band during this track, and it really pays off.
10. Gone With The Sin - Track Ten starts off almost inaudibly low and soft, with the same captivating vocals. When the lyrics are finally paired with acoustic guitars, keyboard, and drums, the passion behind it all is nearly overwhelming. A gorgeous love song and a perfect lullaby, this is definitely one of my album favorites.
11. Wicked Game - The guitars in this track give you an idea why HIM might be classified as any form of metal. As a whole, this track seems to have a lot more elements than the others on the album; the vocal range, from extremely low in the vocals to the high note which opens the chorus, keeps this song interesting throughout, and the background vocals during the chorus are a unique touch. Every chance taken on this track was 110% worth it.
12. The Sacrament - The piano theme of this track gives the entire song an almost fairytale quality. When paired with the strumming guitars, rhythmic drums, empowered vocals, and lovestruck lyrics, this song overflows with an other world-ly feel. A captivating track as a whole, with the piano definitely standing apart.
13. Close To The Flame - Soft, yet strong, this track moves quiet and slow as it tells its story. The keyboard and piano pair up once again to create a passionate, haunting theme. The bass also makes its first obvious appearance and, backing up Valo's voice, creates another beautiful lullaby.
14. Poison Girl - The guitars shine once again in Track Fourteen, with enough venom to make you forget this is a love song. The only truly angry, remorseful track on the album ... and yet, the entire band executes it flawlessly. A track which stands apart from the rest ... and yet, in some strange way, fits in perfectly.
15. Pretending - A few unique twists are added to this track to make it a little more than ordinary. The keyboard makes a conspicuous entrance in the intro and chorus of the song, accompanied by a nearly techno sound effect to give the track just enough "something extra" to make it a little different. Otherwise, not an outstanding track, besides the typically well-written lyrics.
16. When Love And Death Embrace - The keyboard gets one more chance to steal the stage on the final track of the album. The cymbal crashes and bass back up Valo's passionate, broken hearted vocals and lyrics, while the keyboard theme swells and dies during the chorus. A soft, desperate track, this is the perfect way to end such a phenomenal album.

This is just another example of why I should simply take the time to look up these bands I'm interested in, instead of waiting for them to find me. Because, had I done so, I would have been entranced by HIM's music a long, long time ago.
If you're interested in HIM, I encourage you to check out the following links.

HIM's website can keep you updated on the band's news, tour dates, and other information.

Lyrics to all the songs on this album as well as HIM's many other efforts can be found on this website.

I've decided to share with you the music video for The Sacrament. The video in itself is stunning, and the song, breathtaking ... but, together, it seems you can really appreciate the entire story the band is trying to tell.
So, please enjoy The Sacrament, by HIM. And, please, do yourself a favor; check out other music by this extraordinary band.

HIM - The Sacrament Official Music Video


H.I.M. - Sacrament - Omnes

Nightmare Revisited

Every few years Tim Burton, Danny Elfman, and team see it fit to re-issue "The Nightmare Before Christmas" soundtrack, and add a bonus CD with covers of all the song by current artists. This year was one of those years!

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" really is a classic. It was a movie that was ahead of it's time in stop motion animation technology. Not to mention it had an amazing score/soundtrack written and composed by master of movie music Danny Elfman.

The music is really what made the movie so magnificent. More than a decade later people still line up yearly to see the movie in theatres (in 3D), and kids (and adults too) sing along with the great songs.

Nightmare Revisited takes today's artists and gives us the songs we loved from the movie, with a twist.



The Track list
Coupled By My Opinion Of Each Song


1.Overture-DeVotchKa
[This track really got me. It's quite the opening. The style is almost Cirque Du Soleil. Very circus. An absolutely wonderful start to the CD!]

2.Opening-Danny Elfman
[This isn't that different than the original which was narrated by actor Patrick Stewart. I do think that Danny's voice has a very neat sound to it though, especially since he did Jack's vocals in the original]

3.This Is Halloween-Marilyn Manson
[Definitely a Manson track. Creepy as ever. Has some techno undertones, but sticks with the goth sound that Marilyn does so well.]

4.Jack's Lament-The All-American Rejects
[This isn't my favorite track, by any means. Tyson's voice seems a bit whiny for the song...not as good as it could have been.]

5.Doctor Finklestien/In The forest-Amiina
[This was really nice. There's a slightly Asian backbone to the song, and I love the deep strings (Bass I think?) that keep the beat. It also has a music box feel.]

6.What's This?-Flyleaf
[One of my favorite tracks on the CD. Flyleaf did an amazing job. The song is quite a bit slower and more melancholy than the original (and definitely more so than Fall Out Boy's cover from the last special edition!). Lacey's voice really shines in this song.]

7.Town Meeting Song-The Polyphonic Spree
[The beginning of this song was really cool, futuristic! Lol. Almost David Bowie's Space Oddity sounding. Actually, the whole song had a Bowie-esque sound to it. I liked how they changed the vocal melody...it's like a completely new song. Towards the middle it gets a bit Broadway sounding. It's really something new.]

8.Jack and Sally Montage-The Vitamin String Quartet
[Exactly the excellence you'd expect of Vitamin. Beautiful strings. I could listen to this over and over.]

9.Jack's Obsession-Sparklehorse
[Falsetto. That really sums it up lol. I will say though that the acoustic guitar is quite beautiful, as well as the vocal melody, which like in The Town Meeting Song was changed. There's the faint hint of something that could be a lullaby, maybe.]

10.Kidnap The Sandy Claws-Korn
[Classic Korn. Creepy, strange vocalizations, the whole nine yards.]

11.Making Christmas-Rise Against
[Love the electric guitar opening! And being a Rise Against fan, I'm kinda biased, but I'll say that I really liked this. Very hard-core. Love it.]

12.Nabbed-Yoshida Brothers
[Done in a very beautiful classical Japanese style, with a techno/dance twist. Really great.]

13.Oogie Boogie's Song-Bordrigo y Gabriella
[Spanish! It has that wonderful acoustic guitar flair you get from Spanish flamenco music.
This is the first track on the CD that takes a song that originally had vocals and made it instrumental.]

14.Sally's Song-Amy Lee
[What can I say other than gorgeous when describing Amy's voice? She just owned this song. It's haunting. I love the extra Goth she added to the song. Absolutely amazing, brilliant, beautiful!]

15.Christmas Eve Montage-Rjd2
[Electro. Fun. Christmas with it's own neat little spin. All I can say is it's way fun to listen to, and you can definitely dance to it!]

16.Poor Jack-Plain White T's
[I liked this one. Tom's voice really complimented the song, it's not very unlike the original Elfman version. This song really shows a side of Tom's voice I've never heard, he has quite a range. This exceeded my expectations. Really a good song.]

17.To The Rescue-Datarock
[More electro, techno, synth-pop, whatever-you-wanna-call-it. I'm also a Datarock fan, and I can say they did quite the job on this instrumental piece. Fun stuff.]

18.Finale/Reprise-Shiny Toy Guns
[I love how it starts with a almost "broken carousel" version of "Here Comes Santa Clause" with the guys in the band creepily whispering "la-la-la-la". Then it goes hard-core on us. They even through in a few "Phantom" style organ chords. Another curve, it turns into a very pretty ballad, with church style organs. Again, vocal melodies have been changed, but it's all for the better. The song is really great.]

19.Closing-Danny Elfman
[Same as opening really. Just the original piece narrated by Elfman instead of Stewart]

20.End Title-The Album Leaf
[A very clam, pretty, instrumental end to the CD. Kinda makes me that warm kind of sleepy when I hear it.]



Anyway, it's a great album with surprises around every corner. Be sure to get a listen! Truly a great album, and definitely the best so-far of the Nightmare remakes.

I'm going to share one of (because there's no possible way to fit all of them!) my favorite tracks, Flyleaf's version of "What's This?.

Enjoy!





What's This?-Flyleaf


Lyrics

What's this? What's this?
There's color everywhere
What's this?
There's white things in the air
What's this?
I can't believe my eyes
I must be dreaming
Wake up, Jack, this isn't fair
What's this?

What's this? What's this?
There's something very wrong
What's this?
There's people singing songs

What's this?
The streets are lined with
Little creatures laughing
Everybody seems so happy
Have I possibly gone daffy?
What is this?
What's this?

There's children throwing snowballs
instead of throwing heads
They're busy building toys
And absolutely no one's dead

There's frost on every window
Oh, I can't believe my eyes
And in my bones I feel the warmth
That's coming from inside

Oh, look
What's this?
They're hanging mistletoe, they kiss
Why that looks so unique, inspired
They're gathering around to hear a story
Roasting chestnuts on a fire
What's this?

What's this?
In here they've got a little tree, how queer
And who would ever think
And why?

They're covering it with tiny little things
They've got electric lights on strings
And there's a smile on everyone
So, now, correct me if I'm wrong
This looks like fun
This looks like fun
Oh, could it be I got my wish?
What's this?

Oh my, what now?
The children are asleep
But look, there's nothing underneath
No ghouls, no witches here to scream and scare them
Or ensnare them, only little cozy things
Secure them in their dreamland...

What's this?

The monsters are all missing
And the nightmares can't be found
And in their place there seems to be
Good feeling all around

Instead of screams, I swear
I can hear music in the air
The smell of cakes and pies
are absolutely everywhere

The sights, the sounds
They're everywhere and all around
I've never felt this good before
This empty place inside of me has been filling up
I simply cannot get enough

I want it, oh, I want it
Oh, I want it for my own
I've got to know
I've got to know
What is this place that I have found?
What is this?

Lacrymosa

As I've mentioned a few times in the past my musical taste has stemmed most predominately from my upbringing in a family that loves classical music, and through listening to the classics during my ballet training. So it goes without saying that I lean toward bands and artists with classical backgrounds. I especially lean toward those with symphonic and orchestral sounds. So many of my favorite bands and artists are those like Yngwie Malmsteen, Nightwish, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and of course, Evanescence.

My favorite track of their album "The Open Door" is most definitely "Lacrymosa". The symphonic sound, the chorus in the background, and of course Amy's voice. What many people don't know (though I'm sure die-hard Ev fans, and Mozart fans alike do know)is that the entire backing for this song, not including the electric guitar parts, is Mozart's "Lacrimosa".

"I saw Amadeus when I was nine years old and fell in love with Mozart. The part of Mozart's Requiem called "Lacrimosa" is my favorite piece of music ever. I always wished we could cover it, but with programming and guitars and make it cool. It's our moment to try all the things I wanted to and couldn't, so I started messing with it in Protools. Terry wrote some riffs and turned it into this awesome metal epic." -Amy Lee

And boy is it amazing! I love how well it blended, her vocals and lyrics with Mozart's masterpiece playing in the background. The original Mozart piece has such power in it, yet it's expressed with elegant and mournful notes. It really is quite amazing.

I'd never thought of what would happen if you were to write your own song, but use a classical piece as the basic structure of it. It seemed a bit undo able, that you would butcher the original piece or that it just wouldn't work...covering a classical piece and turning it into something with a metal sound, I knew that would work. It's been done, and done wonderfully, but this was something different all-together, yet it came out utterly perfect.

I really believe this to be Evanescence's best song on an epic scale, and on a scale of sound.

So, To show everyone the bigger picture I'm posting three videos. One, Mozart's original piece "Lacrimosa", two Evanescence's finished song "Lacrymosa", and three and re-mix of Ev's song that is rumoured to be the original version.

Enjoy!

Mozart's "Lacrimosa" (From Requiem)
(The Video Shows The Music For The Vocal Melodies)


Mozart Lyrics

Lacrimosa
Lacrimosa dies illa
Qua resurget ex favilla
Judicandus homo reus.

Huic ergo parce, Deus
Pie Jesu Domine
Dona eis requiem, Amen.


Evanescence's "Lacrymosa"
(Video Is Just Pictures Of Amy Lee and Band)



Evanescence's "Lacrymosa" (Remix)
(This version is rumored to have been written for the opening scene of "The Chronicles Of Narnia" movie, but was not approved because it was not considered "original" because of the use of Mozart's "Lacrimosa")


Evanescence Lyrics

Out on your own,
Cold and alone again.
Can this be what you really wanted, baby?

Blame it on me,
Set your guilt free.
Nothing can hold you back now.

Now that you're gone,
I feel like myself again.
Grieving the things I can't repair and willing...

To let you blame it on me,
And set your guilt free.
I don't want to hold you back now love.

I can't change who I am.
Not this time, I won't lie to keep you near me.
And in this short life, there's no time to waste on giving up.
My love wasn't enough.

And you can blame it on me,
Just set your guilt free, honey.
I don't want to hold you back now love.

Heart Shaped Box-Evanescence

I'm both a Nirvana fan and an Evanescence fan, but I have to say that I'm always wary of covers just because you're taking someone else's song and tailoring it yourself, and more often than not, it doesn't work out as well as you'd hoped. Well I'd heard Evanescence do Korn covers and Metalica covers, and those were wonderful, so I decided to check out their cover of Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box".

And I must say, that all my expectations were met. Amy Lee's voice is perfect for this song, and she delivers the vocals beautifully, as always. She always puts heart and soul into the songs she sings like I've never heard anyone else do before. This is a great cover!!!

Enjoy!


Heart Shaped Box-Evanescence (Nirvana Cover)


She eyes me like a pisces when I am weak
I've been locked inside your Heart-Shaped box for weeks
I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap
I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black

Hey! Wait!
I've got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Hey! Wait!
I've got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Your advice

Meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet
Cut myself on angel hair and baby's breath
Broken hymen of your highness I'm left black
Throw down your umbilical noose so I can climb right back

Hey! Wait!
I've got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Hey! Wait!
I've got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice

Your advice
Your advice
Your advice