Within Temptation thread

[Prog Snob]

I don't think the sound is THAT bad, it's just a bit overly compressed but I've heard much worse. The mix is pretty good though, so it's a shame the compression makes it feel a bit more closed in.

The music is great though, some really catchy choruses in particular!

This is exactly how I feel. 

Hoping for a NA tour!

[Perpetual Change]

The album just doesn't work for me. As others have said, it sounds awful. But other than that, it sounds like they tried to do an album full of Sinead's. The poppier format is OK, except since every song follows that format now, the album feels way more monotonous than any Within temptation album yet.

[bosk1]

^I mostly agree.  But to be fair, I have only listened through once so far.  But what I did notice is that while I was honestly bored for most of the first half of the album, the second half sounded a lot more interesting.  Silver Moonlight, Covered By Roses, Dog Days, and Tell Me Why at least caught my attention.

Sadly, I haven't liked anything I have heard from Tarja since she was ousted from Nightwish.  Sadly, the song where she does a guest spot here falls into that category as well.  I like Sharron's part on the song.  And, interestingly enough, I like Tarja's as well.  But the problem is, to me, their voices clash and do not sound good together.

[Prog Snob]

But other than that, it sounds like they tried to do an album full of Sinead's.

I don't hear that at all. 

[Perpetual Change]

I should add that, like Bosk, I have also only listened to the album once.

And I also agree about Tarja. I actually really liked "What Lies Underneath", but I always find myself wanting to like Tarja's post-Nightwish music way more than I ever do.

[ariich]

But other than that, it sounds like they tried to do an album full of Sinead's.

I don't hear that at all. 

Me neither.

[Perpetual Change]

Well, I do. Every song sounds like a potential single to me, which is what I mean by that. Unfortunately, an album full of that gets pretty boring.

[ariich]

But that's what all their recent albums are like. They write catchy, accessible music, and have done since The Silent Force really.

[Ben_Jamin]

If anything, this album reminds me of The Heart of Everything

[Zook]

But that's what all their recent albums are like. They write catchy, accessible music, and have done since The Silent Force really.

This.

[Prog Snob]

But that's what all their recent albums are like. They write catchy, accessible music, and have done since The Silent Force really.

Exactly.   It's a far cry from Enter and even Mother Earth.  I think they have a tremendous ability to make somewhat simple songs reel you in and keep you listening. 

Sinead was an isolated song in that the drum rhythm reminded of some dance beat. The rest of that CD doesn't really give me that feeling. 

[ariich]

If anything, this album reminds me of The Heart of Everything

Yeah, same actually. It's most like that than any of their other albums, but not quite as good in my opinion. I love that album though!

[gazinwales]

Reading this thread about the compressed sound has really put me off buying Hydra.
The recent Leaves' Eyes album is so compressed and brick walled, I can hardly bare to listen to it.
Is Hydra really that bad?

[bl5150]

It is that bad IMHO - it's not being exaggerated.   Unlike many I thought the guitar sound on The Unforgiving was terrible but Hydra is on a whole new level ......the guitar,bass and keys sound like one compressed wall of muddiness.

Unlike The Unforgiving the songs aren't good enough to save it from that.

[Perpetual Change]

But that's what all their recent albums are like. They write catchy, accessible music, and have done since The Silent Force really.

Nah, I thought there was way more diversity on the last two records. Even if they were still very accessible, this just takes it to a new and more watered down level.

[ariich]

But that's what all their recent albums are like. They write catchy, accessible music, and have done since The Silent Force really.

Nah, I thought there was way more diversity on the last two records. Even if they were still very accessible, this just takes it to a new and more watered down level.

Fair enough, I don't agree at all, but each to their own.

Reading this thread about the compressed sound has really put me off buying Hydra.
The recent Leaves' Eyes album is so compressed and brick walled, I can hardly bare to listen to it.
Is Hydra really that bad?

I don't think it's that bad, no, but it depends on your own tastes. For context, I find Death Magnetic to be basically unlistenable, and DT12 was way over compressed which was why I had to buy the HD tracks. But in general things that are what I consider to be a bit overcompressed don't really bother me, and that's the case with Hydra, in my opinion.

[Ben_Jamin]

^Yup. Hydras compression isn't as bad as DT12, Not enough for me not to enjoy Hydra.

It might seem watered down because they took what they learned from the Q sessions and applied it to the writting of Hydra.

[Zook]

I think Hydra sounds worse than DT12. I haven't listened to the CD version in ages, but I don't remember it being that distracting.

[Perpetual Change]

I'd really have to listen to it again to point out the things I'm trying to say. Not sure I want to do that, though 

[Zook]

I don't Hydra is a bad album, but it's not perfect. Production aside, a lot of the songs have the Iron Maiden chorus effect which makes the songs a little too repetitive. That's actually all I can think of.

Oh, and the album has Dog Days.

[The King in Crimson]

IMO, Hydra isn't painful to listen to like, say, Queensryche's new self-titled, Death Magnetic or the latest Fleshgod Apocalypse.  It just sounds... indistinct. Everything is mushed together and only the vocals stand out. It's pretty bad, but I've heard worse and I'd say Dream Theater's latest is worse sounding.

I think overall it's a good album with some catchy, ear-wormy songs a midst a few semi-mediocre songs. Paradise, Covered By Roses, Silver Moonlight and Tell Me Why are my favorites.

I don't Hydra is a bad album, but it's not perfect. Production aside, a lot of the songs have the Iron Maiden chorus effect which makes the songs a little too repetitive. That's actually all I can think of.

Oh, and the album has Dog Days.

Really? Dog Days has like the worst, most repetitive chorus on the album.

[Zook]

IMO, Hydra isn't painful to listen to like, say, Queensryche's new self-titled, Death Magnetic or the latest Fleshgod Apocalypse.  It just sounds... indistinct. Everything is mushed together and only the vocals stand out. It's pretty bad, but I've heard worse and I'd say Dream Theater's latest is worse sounding.

I think overall it's a good album with some catchy, ear-wormy songs a midst a few semi-mediocre songs. Paradise, Covered By Roses, Silver Moonlight and Tell Me Why are my favorites.

I don't Hydra is a bad album, but it's not perfect. Production aside, a lot of the songs have the Iron Maiden chorus effect which makes the songs a little too repetitive. That's actually all I can think of.

Oh, and the album has Dog Days.

Really? Dog Days has like the worst, most repetitive chorus on the album.

I know, hence why I included it at the bottom. I really don't like that song.

[The King in Crimson]

IMO, Hydra isn't painful to listen to like, say, Queensryche's new self-titled, Death Magnetic or the latest Fleshgod Apocalypse.  It just sounds... indistinct. Everything is mushed together and only the vocals stand out. It's pretty bad, but I've heard worse and I'd say Dream Theater's latest is worse sounding.

I think overall it's a good album with some catchy, ear-wormy songs a midst a few semi-mediocre songs. Paradise, Covered By Roses, Silver Moonlight and Tell Me Why are my favorites.

I don't Hydra is a bad album, but it's not perfect. Production aside, a lot of the songs have the Iron Maiden chorus effect which makes the songs a little too repetitive. That's actually all I can think of.

Oh, and the album has Dog Days.

Really? Dog Days has like the worst, most repetitive chorus on the album.

I know, hence why I included it at the bottom. I really don't like that song.

Then I just totally misread your statement. My bad. 

[ariich]

What the hell is wrong with Dog Days?

[The King in Crimson]

What the hell is wrong with Dog Days?

It has a repetitive and lame chorus.

[SeRoX]

I bought the new CD today (not listening the whole album on the net) and what the hell? The mix is pretty bad. Since I'm not not mix and mastering expert I can't explain what is exactly wrong but the sound is weird, especially vocals and drums.

I can't say anything about the songs I must listen much more but one thing is interesting. Their song's length is getting shortened by each album.

[Ben_Jamin]

I bought the new CD today (not listening the whole album on the net) and what the hell? The mix is pretty bad. Since I'm not not mix and mastering expert I can't explain what is exactly wrong but the sound is weird, especially vocals and drums.

I can't say anything about the songs I must listen much more but one thing is interesting. Their song's length is getting shortened by each album.

They were inspired by the Q sessions, which were short pop songs.

[Cool Chris]

Just got this and have been listening, albeit in car and through headphones at work. About what I expected: good music, nothing new or spectacular. Xhibit's lines remind me of Portnoy's tough-guy vocals in Prophets of War. Except they don't contribute as much to the song (I can't believe I just typed that).

[bosk1]

Xhibit's lines remind me of Portnoy's tough-guy vocals in Prophets of War. Except they don't contribute as much to the song (I can't believe I just typed that).

  That is actually a perfect description.

[Prog Snob]

I noticed something while listening to Paradise.  The guitar sound reminds me of Nightwish. Is it just me or did anyone else pick up on that?

[Cyclopssss]

Well the day a lot of you have been waiting for has arrived!

Within Temptation is coming to the US! The band added 12 North American dates to the Hydra World Tour!
Sharon: "It's a great feeling that after so many years we are back with a coast to coast tour. The reception of our latest album Hydra has been overwhelming and we cannot wait to unleash the dragon overseas. Be assured that this time we'll bring our biggest and best North-American live show so far."
Tickets for most shows go on sale on April 4 via www.within-temptation.com/ontour. Keep an eye on the web

North American Dates
 

Date   Place   Venue   Tickets
September 25   San Francisco (CA)   The Regency Ballroom   On Sale April 4
September 26   Los Angeles (CA)   Club Nokia   On Sale April 4
September 28   Denver (CO)   Gothic Teatre   On Sale April 5
September 30   Minneapolis (MN)   Firts Avenue   On Sale April 4
October 1   Chicago (IL)   Vic Theatre   On Sale April 4
October 2   Royal Oak (MI)   Royal Oak Music Theatre   On Sale April 4
October 3   Toronto (ON)   The Sound Academy   On Sale April 4
October 5   Montreal (QC)   Metropolis   On Sale April 4
October 7   Baltimore (MD)   Ram’s Head Live   On Sale April 4
October 9   Philadelphia (PA)   Electric Factory   On Sale April 4
October 10   New York (NY)   Terminal 5   On Sale April 4
October 11   Worcester (MA)   The Palladium   On Sale April 4

[Tyrias]

inb4 april fools 
but seriously, I hope not. I've seen them twice now and had a really good time both times.

[cramx3]

Date   Place   Venue   Tickets
October 10   New York (NY)   Terminal 5   On Sale April 4

OOOO a friday night in NYC... may have to go to this and start to get into Within Temptation. I have the Heart of Everything which I like but am not crazy about.

[Ben_Jamin]

My God, I'm going for sure.

If this is an April Fools that's just mean.

[Cyclopssss]

Nope, no april fools, as far as I can see. Otherwise this wouldn't be still on their FB page

https://www.facebook.com/events/624196240982374/