Year: 2023
Total Time: 47.10
Label: Force Music Recordings
If I was asked to name a band that is constantly evolving, I would definitely mention WITHIN TEMPTATION. They never stopped experimenting, seeking refuge to new musical paths, risking, losing and gaining fans but always maintaining a fresh air. Their new album, “Bleed Out” is the proof of that.
Heavier and darker than their previous albums, musically and lyrically, it deals with themes like the war in Ukraine, the death of Iranian Masha Amiri, freedom and autonomy. It is definitely their best album at least since the amazing “The Heart Of Everything” from 2007. An album with dark and dystopian rhythms that tries to throw in our face some of the biggest issues of our society nowadays. Not in an indirect way but directly and straightforward.
The last two years, WITHIN TEMPTATION chose to release half the album as singles (although at first those songs were not supposed to be included in a full-length album), a weird choice that did not affected in a negative way the full length album. On the contrary, they managed to provide an insight on their new and fresh identity. An identity that does not leave behind completely their past especially with the song “Worth Dying For” but keep up with the modern requirements. For example, the use of electronic parts in “Cyanide Love” and “Wireless”, the use of AI in the video clip of “Bleed Out”… even the collaboration with the German metalcore band ANNISOKAY in “Shed My Skin”. We could say that with “Bleed Out”, WITHIN TEMPTATION completed the turn in their style that begun with “Resist” in 2019 and saved the total destruction that was imminent with “The Q-Music Sessions” and mostly with the fun “Hydra” that proposed a dangerous and excessive turn to pop music.
It is very encouraging and refreshing to see bands with a long history behind them to dare and not rest on their sound that brought them success. Especially when there is a specific plan behind this change.
Rating: 8 / 10
Editor: Kostas Boudoukos
Related Link: WITHIN TEMPTATION – Official Page
