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16. November 2012

Within Temptation @ Sportpalais – Antwerpen-Merksem – 13.11.2012

Mirror, mirror on the wall – What was the most spectacular music-event on 13 November 2012? Oh there were events, but none a more highlight than the show by Within Temptation.  The Dutch symphonic-metal legends celebrated their 15th anniversary of their band-existence. They were holding court at Sportpalais at Antwerp-Merksem for this one-in-the–lifetime event in obeisance to be crowned by the title Elements. Their folks were to flux in droves and they were even from the whole world. As pre-into for the waiting, utmost curious, excited and emotional adherents short-movies of the tour-life of the group were beamed.

When the sold-out Sportpalais was turned into dark this magical opus was to start. Like a thunder-reverberation applause and loud screams of joy were to raise when the hundred-men and women orchestra, reinforced even by a chorus entered the stage to intone as Intro – The Silent Force. A dragonlike, dark-visual short-movie made it even more shivering. When by the first title ‚Iron’ Sharon den Adel from above in a dream-light-box was poising onto stage and her male heavy-lords from the underworld there was a sight first relief in their musician’s eyes and the specially illuminated fairies and trolls were to celebrate this occasion peacefully by singing, headbanging or dancing. From now on the palais was the glorious hall of ceremony of the kingdom. Sharon the queen was covered in a black coat and her forehead was decoarated by a golden jewelry. The warriors Robert Westerholt and Stefan Helleblad started by some heavy guitar-riffs, dynamic bass and drum boosts by Jeroen van Veen and Mike Coolen. Above it all on the sound-throne was the majestic keyboard-virtuosity by Martijn Spierenburg. The sound-technician did a great job by his mix. The lighting was a marvel by the light-creator, a creative thrill and hyper-luminous intensifying each part and situation of Elements. Mirror, Mirror On The Wall; Was Sharon now the most beautiful and attractively dressed queen in the universe after she had put down her coat? By beauty, yes indeed. Modern and fashionable by her haute-couture golden top, the black panty and the collar-skirt. Oh, but quite strange and disharmonizing a little bit. It seems she wanted successfully to provoke, as the girlies loved it. By Faster the sound gained by heaviness, specially as the musical mastermind and lead-guitarist Ruud Jolie was to poise in artistically from above. If you have watched him during his career you were really admiring how he has developed as the guitar-king. A dark and bright symphony was commemorated by ‘Fire And Ice’. The voice by the lady of the elemental force Den Adel was melting away the cold by her heating, sultry, severe chants. ‘Our Solemn Hour’ was an epochal, symphonic masterwork by the fantastic intensifications by the orchestra. ‘Stand My Ground’ as hit was electrifying by the mysterious combination of canto, the sinister, dark rhythm-grooves and the melodic and warmness spreading guitar-tunes. A cello-solo was the introduction of the second part and its highlight by force was the musical duet with the gothic-vocal-lord George Oosthoek by ‘Candles’. The trolls were liking his grunge-intermezzos as variety. Within Temptation also proved live that they love musical diversifications by their covers of songs from David Guetta or Lana Del Rey like ‘Titanium’ or ‘Summertime Sadness’. They played them just terrific, as they re-arranged them to their music and put their own stamp on them. Fable-ladies on stilts and pyro-effects were intensifying the visual-effects. Sinéad was representing, also by the bizarre, critical intro-movie, the musical development to a different, but nevertheless awesome, enthralling musical sense. This was the highlight of their songs from their actual cd ‘The Unforgiving’. By ‘Mother Earth’ in love and respect to our planet the set-end of the regular show was achieved. Monstrous applause made Within Temptation to start the first encores as they wanted to express ‘What Have You Done’! ‘Ice Queen’ was the phenomenal end of this addition, by the composition of classical mastertunes by the orchestra, the divine chant by den Adel and the might of the rockers. Magnesium and fire-cascades, loud big-bangs were the
demonstration the might and power by her magical highness. Just an emotional and visual miracle was to be witnessed.  Sharon was dressed in a beautiful white majestic evening gown.

Within Tempation had proven by the non-plus-ultra show of Elements that they are one of the most creative, brilliant symphonic-metal bands representing this music-genre. They had spread their musical charme and love by these whole career spanning song-escapades. Their good-bye photo on stage with their joyful supporters was a triumph. For their fans they are the Queen & Kings of their hearts and their music will always be part of their sweet dreams and imaginations.

Setlist:

Intro – The Silent Force

1.   Iron

2.   In the Middle of the Night

3.   Faster

4.   Fire and Ice

5.   Our Solemn Hour

6.   Stand My Ground

7.   Angels

Cello-Intro

8.   The Last Dance

9.   Never-Ending Story

10. Say My Name

11. Candles (with George Oosthoek)

Sinéad (Short Movie)

12. Sinéad

13. Titanium (David Guetta cover)

14. Summertime Sadness (Lana Del Rey cover)

15. Grenade (Bruno Mars cover)

16. The Promise

17. Memories

18. Mother Earth

Encore 1:

19. What Have You Done

20. Our Farewell

21. Ice Queen

Encore 2:

22. Stairway to the Skies

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