Black Symphony is one of the great symphonic concerts in metal history. On 7 February 2008, the Dutch band Within Temptation, led by singer Sharon den Adel, took over the Ahoy arena in Rotterdam before 10,000 spectators, backed by the 60-piece Metropole Orchestra and a classical choir. This filmed live concert, later released on DVD, pits the band’s symphonic metal against a full orchestra, with spectacular staging, stilt-walkers, costume changes and pyrotechnics. The set spans the band’s entire career, from “Ice Queen” and “Mother Earth” to songs from “The Heart of Everything,” with several high-profile guests: Keith Caputo, Anneke van Giersbergen and George Oosthoek. The orchestral arrangements amplify the gothic melodies and epic crescendos while the metal section keeps all its power. A benchmark recording, Black Symphony remains a peak of the genre and an accomplished example of the meeting between metal and classical music. An essential full concert for fans of symphonic metal live.
Setlist
- Ouverture
- Jillian (I'd Give My Heart)
- The Howling
- Stand My Ground
- The Cross
- What Have You Done
- Hand of Sorrow
- The Heart of Everything
- Forgiven
- Somewhere
- The Swan Song
- Memories
- Our Solemn Hour
- The Other Half (Of Me)
- Frozen
- The Promise
- Angels
- Mother Earth
- The Truth Beneath the Rose
- Deceiver of Fools
- All I Need
- Ice Queen
Personnel & credits
- Sharon den Adel — chant
- Robert Westerholt — guitare
- Ruud Jolie — guitare
- Stefan Helleblad — guitare
- Jeroen van Veen — basse
- Martijn Spierenburg — claviers
- Mike Coolen — batterie
- Metropole Orkest — orchestre symphonique (60 musiciens)
- Keith Caputo — chant invité (What Have You Done)
- Anneke van Giersbergen — chant invité (Somewhere)
- George Oosthoek — chant invité (growls)
