Within Temptation - Resist

"Resist, for me, it's a personal message but also a political statement. Before, we did not talk so openly about our political views, but today we do it more... To return to the "political" message, it is always with a positive aim, hoping that in the future, things will really change.”

– Sharon den Adel on La Grosse Radio

Getting into the album, we start of with the band's first single “The Reckoning” featuring Jacoby Shaddix. Introducing Within Temptation with pulsating electronic trills with fanfare sounds as if there going to a battle, sudden burst of loud sounds from the thunderous drums and heavy rhythmic guitar riffs with the intense battle cry by Shaddix soars throughout the opening. Everything is settled down once the vocals of Sharon takes over and the sounds smooth hard rock flows with the vocal lines, the sounds of the chorus recaps to the opening theme with the duo of our resistance leaders as the background music builds up as we’re about to charge into “the reckoning”. The blast of distorted riffs and high-powered vocal lines with blow fans back with it's heaviness and in the dystopian ambience. The track and video is a great opener to the resistance leaders who will lead us into the fray and bring new-found power to the people to rise against the reign of terror. The following track takes a different, “Endless War” not as bombastic as the previous one as it goes more like urban hip-hop with rock elements, and to put in to comparison, the rhythm sounds close to “Aquarius”. The intro with Sharon's soaring vocals and an amazing chorus line the band manages to put in is reminiscent of their symphonic metal past.

 'm sure fans can be appreciate that they even though the band moved into a new musical direction, they never fully ditched their roots. Following the concept, “Raise Your Banner” displays a strong message of revolution against those who think they can control us, and also features Anders Fridén of In Flames. Sharon's gives her voice a sense of intimidation, a warning not to mess with them and as well of exhaustion as she is tired all of battling in this “endless war”. The dramatic scream by Anders and the duet gives you a thrill that you want to charge into battle to fight for your freedom, the guitar solo makes way as it's trying to  push away at our enemies while the sorrowful violins symbolizes as our fellow comrades resisters sacrficing themselves for our freedom. At the bridge, Sharon comes in with signature ghostly high notes as the final push to know that we will not give up this fight and we will be free of tyranny. Next is a song Sharon stated this song is dedicated to her late father, “Supernova”, you can also hear it in the personal line “when the lights goes down, I'm still here, and I'm singing for you”. It goes more industrial with hip-hop beats, kinda like Amaranthe but with more metal and the choir just that came a bit after the midway point definitely brushed off the dust of their gothic metal side.

“Holy Ground” is melodic yet haunting that brings me flashbacks to the song “Memories”, specifically the parts with the violin playing. Sharon brings back her rapping skills that flows with the electronic sounds and an energetic chorus work. “In Vain” may not be favorable track too many for it's very generic and “weak"  sound but I really like it, you just gotta give it a few more listens. In this post-apocalyptic dark electro rock, the song gives the album a side of vulnerability as everything we tried to revolt against has failed and our efforts were all for nothing. “Firelight” featuring Jasper Steverlinck of Arid, originally produced for Sharon's solo album but said it was too dark for it, you can hear My Indigo’s vibes from the smooth flow, soft beats, the light and airy vocals, but then the song explodes into alternative rock with electrifying string instrumentals in the background, bringing me chills and becoming my favorite feature on the album. “Mad World”, what a song! The catchy hooks and the melodic instrumentations can possibly put listeners into a trance and makes them want to dance. “Mercy Mirror” was my highly anticipated track based on the title since the name sounds like something from “The Unforgiving”. I thought this will be a heavy-hitting but turns out to be a beautiful ballad. Opening softly with the piano and intensifies with the inclusion of the drums and guitar while Saron displays her raw emotions about letting go. The final track “Trophy Hunter” is a theatrical outro to the new album, as if this song is everything what the band has ben holding out for nine track and decide to let everything go in the finale.