Review: Within Temptation, in LIsbon, Coliseu dos Recreios

We could say only a word to describe the show that the Dutch band, Within Temptation, gave to their fans on October 12, at Coliseu dos Recreios, in Lisbon: AWESOME.
But let's be more specific...

The band chosen to begin the night and prepare the public for what was coming, was the Portuguese band, Kandia - to obfuscate, to blind by light.

Their career started in 2007 and they released their first album - Inward Beauty|Outward Reflection – last year and are already preparing their second album. The vocalist, Nya Cruz, has a very good voice but it seems to us that due to the fact that they are only 4 (vocals, guitar, bass and drums) they do what’s possible but it feels like there's something missing. Anyway, the choice was very good due to the style of the band that was coming, in some aspects we can make a comparison. We both agree that it was good start and they gave good perspectives of what they can do in the future.

On their MySpace you can hear some of their songs and find more information about them: http://www.myspace.com/kandiamusic

With full house – the show in Lisbon was sold out – Sharon and her friends didn’t disappoint the high expectations. The stage had 2 floors and a huge screen where videos were projected between some songs.
It was a show full of energy and innovation when relating comics and illustration with music – the concept of the new album, The Unforgiving. The show wasn't only about music but also about art and the story behind the album.

The beginning couldn’t be any better. It started with a video of an old lady speaking and you can see it here (till minute: 3:22):





This was the first movie, titled Mother Maiden.

And when it ended... The show began! When the other elements of the band were already on the stage, Sharon appeared in the middle of it, on the second floor, and starts singing A Shot in the Dark, from the first album.

Then it followed In the Middle of the Night, Faster and Lost. We had to wait until the 5th song to hear one of their biggest successes, Ice Queen, from Mother Earth (2001). But we must say that the wait was incredible good.
The idea of the band was clear: share the new album along with their major singles and it was the best recipe.

More old songs were played: The Howling, Our Solemn Hour and What Have You Done – where the public sang with no problem the parts from Keith Caputo - from The Heart of Everything (2007).
Stand my ground, Angels and Memories from Silent Force (2004).
Other songs played from the Mother Earth album were: Deceiver of Fools and Mother Earth – doing a dance that only she knows how to.
They also played other songs from their new album: Sinéad, Murder, Iron and to finish Stairway to the Skies.
With an atmosphere of fun, caring and love for music the public got stuck with Sharon’s excellent voice – it gets better and better.

The huge talent of the guitarists -Ruud Adrianus Jolie and Stefan Helleblad (now playing in the place of Robert Westerholt, Sharon’s husband who is at home taking care of their 3 kids).

The bass player, Jeroen van Veen.

The drummer Mike Coolen

And finally, the king of the keyboards, Martijn Spierenburg.

This wasn't the first time WT were in Portugal and the public seemed to want more and applauded the band with a secret message “please comeback”.

An excellent 95 minutes’ show that finished with a photo of the band on the stage with the Portuguese flag and the public behind!

The comeback couldn’t have been any better! And we are waiting for another gig ASAP.
Setlist:


1. Shot In The Dark
2. In The Middle Of The Night
3. Faster
4. Lost
5. Ice Queen
6. The Howling
7. Our Solemn Hour
8. Stand My Ground
9. Sinéad
10. What Have You Done
11. Murder
12. Iron
13. Angels
14. Memories

Encore 1
15. Deceiver Of Fools
16. Mother Earth

Encore 2
17. Stairway to the Skies


Review collaboration between Ana & Joana Pena