Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic metal band. The band was founded in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Their music is variously described as symphonic metal, as well as gothic metal in some media, although in an interview, Den Adel said they fell into a symphonic rock genre with various influences. Their later works (most notably The Heart of Everything) contain elements typical of alternative metal.
Members:
- Ruud Adrianus Jolie
- Jeroen van Veen
- Stephen van Haestregt
- Sharon den Adel
- Martijn Spierenburg
- Robert Westerholt
Enter, the debut album, was released in 1997. The album was well received and the band embarked on a four gig tour across the country, after which they were asked to perform at the Dynamo Open Air festival in Eindhoven, one of the Netherlands' largest heavy metal festivals. The band rounded out 1997 by embarking on their first international tour, of Germany and Austria.
The sound of Enter was very melodic and doom paced, influenced by gothic doom metal, heavily relied on fast keyboards and drums and heavy guitar riffs. Also prominent on this album are death grunts by Robert Westerholt and members of Orphanage.
- Restless – 6:06
- Enter – 7:14
- Pearls of Light – 5:14
- Deep Within – 4:30
- Gatekeeper – 6:43
- Grace – 5:09
- Blooded – 3:37
- Candles – 7:07