ALBUM REVIEW: Bleed Out – Within Temptation

It has been 27 years since Dutch symphonic metal group WITHIN TEMPTATION burst onto the scene. During that time, they have amassed an incredible music career, with the release of seven successful full-length studio albums, the last being Resist back in 2019. They show no sign of slowing down any time soon with their eighth LP Bleed Out set to be released this Friday via Force Music. In the four-year gap between albums, WITHIN TEMPTATION had to come to terms with a catastrophic worldwide pandemic. However, this tragic time period actually revealed some unexpected positives for the band. In a time when everyone was ordered to stay at home, WITHIN TEMPTATION used this to their advantage, free to self-release singles whenever they wanted.

It also meant that they were able to respond to worldwide events in real time, including the disastrous war in Ukraine, and vocalist Sharon Den Adel even has a personal connection to the ongoing political issue in Iran regarding women’s rights. Even though these issues are understandably important to discuss within their music, WITHIN TEMPTATION have also experimented with lighter themes too, including the art of seduction. One thing is paramount though, the band are determined to do things their way with no holds barred.

The first track is We Go To War. It’s a fantastic opener that builds excitement for what’s to come. The lyrical content is about the devastating effects of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, but even though the theme is dark in nature, the song has an empowering feel about it that is impossible to ignore. The title track follows and is bound to be an emotional release for Den Adel, due to her personal connection to the issue at hand. It has the perfect mix of haunting, impactful vocals from Den Adel and thumping riffs from lead guitarist Ruud Jolie.

Wireless is another song concerning the Ukrainian war, discussing the topic of people signing up to fight and therefore obliging the government’s commands. The track then depicts the underlying effects of the mental state of brave soldiers after they realise they have been deceived. Worth Dying For is a lot faster instrumentally in nature, providing a pleasant change rhythmically and another infectious chorus. Additionally, the guitar work in the bridge is the most impressive section on the whole album. Ritual is a stark contrast in lyrical direction; it’s easily the most sensual song they have ever written and released and draws heavy inspiration from Quentin Tarantino‘s iconic From Dusk Till Dawn.

Cyanide Love is another track which depicts the band’s personal stance on the war in Ukraine, whereas The Purge contains more electronic elements and is a song about self-reflection and accepting mistakes that Den Adel has made in her past life. Even though the song is deeply personal, the chorus isn’t as memorable as others on the release. Don’t Pray For Me leans back into their gothic metal type sound, whilst expressing the idea that people have different opinions politically and socially and having to accept that narrative.

Next up is Shed My Skin featuring the German metalcore group ANNISOKAY. Continuing with the personal theme, this song discusses the inevitable changes that people experience in their lifetime. Christoph Wieczorek‘s vocals are perfectly suited to this song, providing the most ideal collaboration, but sadly the song isn’t overly memorable which is rather disappointing. Unbroken follows in a similar vein to the last, whereas the closer Entertain You is a lot more ferocious and impactful in nature. This is one of the most important tracks on the album, as it lets the listener know that it’s perfectly OK to be different and that differences should be embraced and not laughed at. It closes the album with such an important message for alternative communities and subcultures, encouraging them to be completely themselves regardless of any ridicule that may be thrown their way.

Even though Bleed Out does not contain a commodity of surefire bangers, this is not a release to be sniffed at. Songs like the title track, Ritual and Entertain You more than make up for the obvious filler on this record. It is so important that WITHIN TEMPTATION have chosen to speak out about the current issues that mean the most to them, providing us with a list of songs which are politically and socially aware, whilst still being instrumentally emotive and impactful.

Rating: 7/10

Bleed Out is set for release on October 20th via Force Music Recordings.

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