Band:	Within Temptation
Album:	Black Symphony
Style:	Symphonic metal
Release date:	September 22, 2008
A review by:	Jeff

Disc I
01. Ouverture
02. Jillian (I'd Give My Heart)
03. The Howling
04. Stand My Ground
05. The Cross
06. What Have You Done [feat. Keith Caputo]
07. Hand Of Sorrow
08. The Heart Of Everything
09. Forgiven
10. Somewhere [feat. Anneke van Giersbergen]
11. The Swan Song
12. Memories

Disc II
01. Our Solemn Hour
02. The Other Half (Of Me) [feat. George Oosthoek]
03. Frozen
04. The Promise
05. Angels
06. Mother Earth
07. The Truth Beneath The Rose
08. Deceiver of Fools
09. All I Need
10. Ice Queen

Within Temptation is a bit like the clone of Iron Maiden when it comes to produce ton of DVDs, singles best of and other merchandising stuff. If the British band is still really popular among its fans, Within Temptation has clearly decided to focus on young girlies and newcomer metalheads now. We're not here to debate about this point but I just wanted to say that I will write the review of the DVD/Live album of a "new" band that I don't really like anymore actually but I promise you that I will be honest and I won't let you wait any more time to tell you that this new DVD/Live album is an excellent piece of work. Fans of Within Tempation, this is a must!

"Black Symphony" was recorded at The Ahoy venue in February 2008. The particularity of this new live is that the band is not alone on stage and plays all their hits with the help of the Metropole Orchestra composed of talented classical musicians and choirs. The result is simply impressing, the songs are sublimed by the classical arrangements and it gives something really beautiful in the end. As you can see on the set-list, you'll be able to watch a long concert with twenty two songs (nothing is missing on the simple live album, that's cool!) and approximately two hours of concerts. This is not a basic concert as you can guess but one more time I regret that the band forgot to add more old songs which could be really great with the symphonic orchestra? Whatever, this is not a surprise anyway and we have to live with it now unfortunately.

For the simple live album or for the DVD, the recording and the production is simply exceptional. Definitely the band and its label have the financial means to produce something big which doesn't have to suffer of any comparison with the big popular bands (and I'm not only talking about Metal here). The musicians are really good and did a good performance this night but I think that the voice of Sharon has been better in the past. I remember that I saw the band live before that they become so popular and her voice was pure like crystal, this is not the case on this live. But it will be ok if you like Within Temptation and anyway the product really deserves your money if you like the combo.

You know I cannot avoid whining a bit and I will say one more time that I regret that some songs are missing. The orchestra gives something really positive to the music of Within Temptation and the production is simply amazing. I don't know if the old fans will enjoy this release but if you like "The Silent Force" and "The Heart Of Everything" this is a mega must. "Black Symphony" is highly recommended to the fans of the Dutch combo and to all the people who like Symphonic Gothic music.