1. Let Us Burn
2. Dangerous feat. Howard Jones
3. And We Run feat. Xzibit
4. Paradise (What About Us?) feat. Tarja
5. Edge Of The World
6. Silver Moonlight
7. Covered By Roses
8. Dog Days
9. Tell Me Why
10. Whole World Is Watching feat. Dave Pirner
Bonus tracks:
11. Radioactive (originally performed by Imagine Dragons)
12. Summertime Sadness (originally performed by Lana del Rey)
13. Let Her Go (originally performed by Passenger)
14. Dirty Dancer (originally performed by Enrique Iglesias)
15. And We Run – evolution track
16. Silver Moonlight – evolution track
17. Covered By Roses – evolution track
18. Tell Me Why – evolution track
Quote:
Within Temptation collaborated with several special guests on ‘Hydra’: Tarja Turunen, Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum and metalcore hero Howard Jones, formerly of Killswitch Engage as well as US hip-hop icon Xzibit.
Robert: “Xzibit is amazing. ‘And We Run’ song is about how you’ve got to live your life now. He’s rapping at full force on this song, it’s really heavy.” Sharon adds: “Xzibit brings a new element to our music that we’ve never had before! It’s a new cross-over and we love it!” As for the mighty Tarja, Sharon recalls: “The way she delivers those high melody lines left us all speechless. We had a great time, and the fans responded beyond our expectations.”
One of the album’s heaviest tracks, ‘Dangerous’ was recorded with the former Killswitch Engage singer Howard Jones, whose epic vocals are a perfect fit for Sharon’s. “I always loved Howard’s voice,” she says. “He makes the song even heavier than it already is. That song is one of my favorite songs on the record and one of the fastest we’ve ever written. It has the most bass drums we’ve ever used, too, and a very fast riff which we doubled with synths. It’s not a typical synthesizer, though – it’s distorted like a guitar, and it’s very aggressive.”
‘Hydra’ goes from strength to strength with ‘Whole World Is Watching’, featuring Soul Asylum’s singer Dave Pirner. “When we wrote ‘Whole World Is Watching’, Dave was at the very top of our list. He has such a captivating voice: it made the song exactly how it needed to be.“
I am very excited, but I feel that they should have released the cover album everywhere, but should have kept the album itself purely with original songs. The features are interesting though.
Shooting the video for World. Goosebumps ...again.
I'm so excited to hear the song with Xzibit, that's either going to be really terrible or really amazing, but I have a feeling it will be the latter.
I'm most excited for the finished version of Let Us Burn, though, it's easily the best song from the album we have so far and it's just a demo. I can't imagine the slayage of the album version.
I'm so excited to hear the song with Xzibit, that's either going to be really terrible or really amazing, but I have a feeling it will be the latter.
I'm most excited for the finished version of Let Us Burn, though, it's easily the best song from the album we have so far and it's just a demo. I can't imagine the slayage of the album version.
Yeah.Let us burn demo is awesome.
I just hope the album version do not ruin it.
Within Temptation, who hail from The Netherlands (for the uninitiated), hold a special place in my heart. They were the first of the European symphonic metal acts to truly catch my ear. Their 2007 album, “The Heart of Everything” stands as the band’s seminal album to date, but they are about to return with their sixth studio effort, “Hydra“.
Within Temptation‘s previous effort, “The Unforgiving” was something of a concept album, and musically the band dipped heavily into 80s pop and hard rock on the record. They followed this in 2013 with series of cover songs from today’s current pop artists such as Imagine Dragons and Bruno Mars. Die-hard Within Temptation fans were getting a bit itchy wondering what direction the band would head next, but the concerns have been allayed with “Hydra“. The new record takes the band back to its heavier and dramatic foundation, while still continuing to grow and expand its boundaries.
This growth is represented in part by the presence of four guest vocalists on the record. When you have one of rock’s most pure and formidable vocalists in Sharon den Adel it makes guest singers almost moot. But knowing that Tarja Turunen (ex-Nightwish), Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage), Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum), and even hip hop rapper, Xzibit were going to be making cameos on the record certainly piques one’s interest.
“Hydra” opens with a classic Within Temptation sound on “Let Us Burn”. The song is packed with dramatic atmosphere, thick guitars, and den Adel’s soaring vocal delivery. The listener is immediately engulfed in an aura of rich, auditory and emotive textures.
The first track to feature a guest artist, is the album’s second song and second single, “Dangerous” which features former Killswitch Engage frontman, Howard Jones. I was admittedly skeptical that he could add anything to a Within Temptation song, but his plaintive and angsty vocals blend remarkably well with den Adel’s. His presence adds depth to the track.
“And We Run” is arguably the most startling track on the record. While its base is a classic Within Temptation song, full of spiraling keyboards and guitar work, and rich choral vocals, it is the presence of Detroit hip hop artist, Xzibit which throws you for a loop. I would never have imagined Within Temptation crossing that genre with their own. I was prepared to be skeptical, but the song works incredibly well, and the track is quite enjoyable. Admittedly I am still not sold on the rapper’s lyrical input, but melodically it pulls together in an amazing way.
The album’s first single, “Paradise (What About Us?)” features the operatic flourishes of Tarja Turunen. This is a stunning Within Temptation song on its own merit, but Tarja and Sharon together take it over the top. It has all the crunch and presence of the band’s classic signature.
“Edge of the World” is a vintage Within Temptation style ballad. It is rich with atmospheric and symphonic elements. The vocals are outstanding, and Sharon, as always, takes it to an ethereal level.
The second half of the album is incredible as well, though admittedly not as impressive as the first half. It starts off with a brilliant, rhythmic chugger, “Silver Moonlight”. This is one of the album’s heavier tracks, and Westerholt adds some darkness and depth with his harsh background growls.
“Covered By Roses” is another powerful track which recalls classic Within Temptation songs like, “Memories” from 2004′s “Silent Force“. “Tell Me Why” is an energetic romp that blends “The Heart of Everything” with “The Unforgiving” in style and sound.
If there is a weak track on the record it is “Dog Days”, which is not a bad song, but the repetitive nature of the lyrics weigh it down.
The album closes out with another track, “Whole World is Watching” that is decidedly out of the usual Within Temptation realm. It is a duet with Soul Asylum‘s Dave Pirner, and while it is a fantastic track, it takes the band down a new path stylistically, giving fans a taste of something different.
The Deluxe Edition of “Hydra” includes 18 songs overall including four cover tracks from their 2013 Q Sessions and four “evolution” versions of the “Hydra” tracks: “And We Run”, “Silver Moonlight”, “Covered By Roses”, and “Tell Me Why”.
Within Temptation have created another masterful record with “Hydra“. The album taps into the prototype elements that are the foundation of the band’s trademark sound while still managing to channel their collective talents into expanding the Within Temptation palette. “Hydra” is a behemoth–a dynamic specimen of sonic beauty and bombast filled with bold, aural flourishes and dark, compelling depths.
MY BODY IS READY! Can't wait until my pre-order arrives, although I will of course listen to any leaks if they happen.
With “Let us Burn”, the band made the ultimate intro song for the upcoming world tour. Just like Deceiver of Fools, See Who I Am, Our Solemn Hour and Shot in the Dark, you can imagine the guys introducing themselves, building up the pressure, pleasing the crowd with heavy guitars and drums. All waiting for that special moment; Sharon walking on stage singing “The darkness has come to the roses..” You have just entered an hour full of Within Temptation.
But this is no live performance, this is Hydra. And “Let us Burn” sucks you right into it. Heavy guitars, drums, choirs and the powerful voice of Sharon come together like flames in a paper factory; You cannot stop it and just watch the flames tearing up the building like Hydra is tearing up your iPod.
The adult version of “Let us Burn” has really grown to be part of this album and is one of the best songs on the album.
Quote:
And we Run
When reading the tracklist, it’s hard not to skip to this song immediately. And there is a good reason for that; “And we run” is the song in which rapper Xzibit joins the band for some serious rock.
Rock-Rap collaborations is nothing new; Linkin Park did it with Jay-Z and that turned out pretty well. And if we had to name one band to try again, it’s Within Temptation. They can afford an experiment like this. And they nailed it; And we Run is a song you would not expect. My first thought when learning Xzibit would join them, was a mental picture of pimp my ride gone Dutch. But how wrong can a man be: The small angelic voice and a piano, that’s all the song starts with. Slowly, the song is building up. The music would make you think it’s an up-tempo song, but no. A battle between an angel and a bad-ass, is maybe the best way to describe the song. Without too much spoilers; Well done WT, well done. Who knew symphonic rock and American rap could fit together so well? Fans afraid of the collaboration: It burns into your heart, the darkness that you fear…
Quote:
Covered by Roses
Covered by Roses is a catchy song, that’s the first coming to our mind. It’s fast and Sharon really had to push herself to sing this one. You can almost call it danceable. Nothing bad to say about this song. Great surprise is the child’s voice in the bridge, almost sounds like the daughter of Sharon and her partner Robert sneaked into the studio to help her parents on this one. Guided by the piano, the girl tells a story in faulty English, just before the song explodes for the epic final.
Quote:
Tell me Why
After Dog Days, I sat down to enjoy the rest of the ride. With “Tell me Why”, I have to be honest that after all the violence in the previous songs, I was expecting another powerballad. So when pressing play, I was blown away. Tell my Why is a powerful song, heavy guitars and an almost desperate voice of Sharon blend together like chocolate sauce and ice cream. Wake up Within Temptation fans, Hydra is still alive and kicking! And still, there is a ballad somehow. This song would still hold his power when played acoustic. So, Within Temptation: When reading this, consider that as a hint ;-)
HOLY. EFFING. ****. SLAYED! My entire body was just rocked with a musicgasm.
THAT NEW SILVER MOONLIGHT IS EVERYTHING IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!
And Dog Days doesn't sound like Dog Shiz anymore!
I like all of the songs based off the snippets, I'm so glad about that. Although I'll probably never use Paradise much unless a version without that awful Tarja surfaces. *crosses fingers*
I just heard an LQ audio of And We Run. I know it's just an LQ and I shouldn't make any judgement but I can't help but be a bit disappointed, the snippet sounds really good but the rest sounds like one long chorus with X Zibit in between then again the audio is 10 seconds short so, there might be a second Sharon verse there somewhere.
I should clarify, X Zibit's main part is actually good, it's fast paced. However his other parts are unnecessary due to the fact he is just saying "clap your hands, etc.etc. get out of here, etc. etc." (at least from what I can decipher from the audio). Overall the track is epic, there really is no room to breathe.
EDIT: It looks like Whole World is Watching is the next single after Dangerous.
I just heard an LQ audio of And We Run. I know it's just an LQ and I shouldn't make any judgement but I can't help but be a bit disappointed, the snippet sounds really good but the rest sounds like one long chorus with X Zibit in between then again the audio is 10 seconds short so, there might be a second Sharon verse there somewhere.
I should clarify, X Zibit's main part is actually good, it's fast paced. However his other parts are unnecessary due to the fact he is just saying "clap your hands, etc.etc. get out of here, etc. etc." (at least from what I can decipher from the audio). Overall the track is epic, there really is no room to breathe.
EDIT: It looks like Whole World is Watching is the next single after Dangerous.
please where can i hear this masterpiece with LQ???
I just heard an LQ audio of And We Run. I know it's just an LQ and I shouldn't make any judgement but I can't help but be a bit disappointed, the snippet sounds really good but the rest sounds like one long chorus with X Zibit in between then again the audio is 10 seconds short so, there might be a second Sharon verse there somewhere.
I should clarify, X Zibit's main part is actually good, it's fast paced. However his other parts are unnecessary due to the fact he is just saying "clap your hands, etc.etc. get out of here, etc. etc." (at least from what I can decipher from the audio). Overall the track is epic, there really is no room to breathe.
