Within Temptation - Hydra (2014)
The veteran Dutch symphonic metallers return with Hydra, their sixth album. After experimenting with a concept album and releasing a series of 80s and 90s pop covers reworked to a Within Temptation style, their new album is a more straight forward offer that comes with a few surprises and bridges old and new. The album opens with Let Us Burn, an excellent song that immediately reminds the listener why WT became one of the biggest symphonic metal acts. The song delivers all the trademarks of the band with an epic grand sound and Sharon's soaring vocals. From then on, the album never lets down delivering a great collection of tracks that show the band's diversity from the fast and heavy Dangerous to the poppy and beautiful Edge of the World. Apart from Let Us Burn, I would highlight the fast paced Dangerous, the catchy duet with Tarja on Paradise (What About Us?), the mellow Edge of the World and Silver Moonlight showing the band's heavier side. All in all, I