Within Temptation

Within Temptation

Within Temptation are a Dutch symphonic metal band from Waddinxveen, Netherlands, active since 1995. The group is founded by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt, and its line-up has included Dennis Leeflang, Michiel Papenhove, Ivar de Graaf, Ciro Palma, Stephen van Haestregt, Mike Coolen, Ruud Adrianus Jolie, Martijn Spierenburg and Jeroen van Veen.

Style and development

The band’s early work is rooted in gothic metal, with debut album Enter also drawing on doom metal. Their sound later shifts towards symphonic metal, while some later material moves into alternative and pop rock territory with electronic elements. Den Adel describes the group as atmospheric melodic symphonic metal and rock, with gothic elements rather than a purely gothic band.

Career highlights

After Enter is released in 1997, the band gains an audience in the Dutch underground scene. The single “Ice Queen” from Mother Earth brings wider recognition in 2001 and reaches No. 2 in the Dutch charts. The Silent Force and The Heart of Everything both debut at No. 1 in the Netherlands and increase the band’s international profile.

Albums and collaborations

The band releases the live album Black Symphony in 2008, recorded with the Metropole Orchestra, followed by An Acoustic Night at the Theatre in 2009. The Unforgiving appears in 2011 as part of a transmedia project that also includes a comic book series and short films. Hydra features guest appearances from Tarja Turunen, Howard Jones, Dave Pirner and Xzibit, and “Whole World Is Watching” receives substantial airplay on BBC Radio 2 in the UK. Resist incorporates industrial and EDM influences.

Recognition

Within Temptation win the Conamus Exportprijs five times, including four consecutive years and again in 2016. By 2016, the band has sold more than 3.5 million albums worldwide. Their studio albums also include Bleed Out (2023).