With "Let Us Burn" album rises first with a familiar and high WT fare. Who knows the predecessor "The Unforgiving", can imagine the direction of this song in about. He could also very well fitted to the last album, reminiscent of "A Shot in the Dark". The mid-tempo rocker has a simple and understandable but sophisticated construction. The chorus bites course fixed immediately in the ear. Is a super opener the same time a hit. No better way to open an album barely. Geiler entry the mood for more power!
"Dangerous" is in quite a modern direction. As a guest singer one has brought Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage) on board. This decision was a top idea, the voice of Howard and Sharon harmonize perfectly in this song. The synths are strongly reminiscent of dance music like house and dance, the song itself but is rocky. An interesting mix, and the concept is definitely on. A hit which something of burns in the skull that you do can not help but to press Repeat.
The next song "And We Run" feat. Xzibit can first close on quite rude. There are so many examples where so-called crossover story went completely in the pants. Named were already eg Linkin Park feat. Jay-Z. But what will be deducted here is high miles over what else you might hear at Rock / Metal / Rap collaborations. The chorus is very bombastic underlaid with strings. Again, you just can not get the chorus out of the skull and remains the previous album slogan "every song a hit" faithful. The rap contribution of Xzibit finished the whole song and raises it to a usually good song, to an exceptionally fresh and unspent hit.
Now, however, must it out through a rough or average song come. NO! Even Song number 4 "Paradise (What About Us)" reigns supreme. Tarja Turunen is here also with a commentary the honor. Both Sharon and Tarja refrain now to the very high vocals, which I find much more pleasant and more expressive. Again, both voices combine well. The song would have fit the style of her on a Nightwish-plate and not just because of Tarja. Again, we hear again a prime example of a great chorus.
Now is taken out with "Edge Of The World" the pace a bit. The ballad is taken in the first trimester only of very subtle keyboards and Sharon's unique voice. Goosebumps mood knows to unfold when using earphones. "Edge Of The World" then escalates to a high power ballad. The placement of the ballad on the album was chosen wisely. After 4 Power songs, it needs a little breather in the form of a ballad to the album flow or the voltage to maintain.
"Silver Moonlight" starts very quietly with piano, strings and Sharon's unique voice. One suspects another ballad, but before you "What? Now even a ballad?" can say, crashing a triplet up-tempo song from the speakers. Again, I can only repeat what I had already written in the previous songs. Great song with simple song structures but for absolute hit potential.
Also the next song "Covered By Roses" is no exception and is named after the first run already in the ear. Opened by a short guitar riff goes here from the same post. The Bridge after the second chorus directs a short film-like music on Interlude before everything fades briefly and an alienated child's voice, accompanied by gentle piano tones speaks. This is followed by a short but very cool guitar solo that leads the song to the chorus again. Well, you will annoy the back having to read but this song is an absolute hit.
No matter what song I've ever heard of this album, I had a couple out as a single, I do not know what. In "Dog Days" but I know definitely that I would not accept this. For me this is the only real failure in "Hydra". Hmm ... perhaps "failure" simply formulated too hard but he reached not miss the top quality of the rest of the songs. He may be very atmospheric and is, by itself, is not necessarily a crappy song is, but acts in the context of the otherwise top-notch across the board album very disturbing. As I said, for me the weak point of the album.
"Tell Me Why" is but fortunately again on the brilliant level of the previous songs and "Hydra" is in the last third do not run out of steam as the also recommended predecessor "The Unforgiving". The song has a not quite as catchy structure as the rest of the songs and takes 2-3 passages more. Fascinating progressive it is here anyway why not, also because the refrain of course nevertheless immediately invites you to sing along. "Tell Me Why" again combines almost all the elements for which WT are in 2014 and focuses them in this song.
There again, the pop ballad "The Whole World Is Watching" Finally. Dave Pirner are here to honor the guest micro and his voice keeping with Sharon. A very melancholic and atmospheric ballad that also constitutes a catchy par excellence and the album closes perfectly.
A big compliment I must speak for the successful presentation of Digi-Book Edition. The booklet is probably the fattest I've ever seen in a CD package. This includes a lot of photos and of course the lyrics included. The second CD offers four cover songs of the "Q-sessions" four so-called evolutionary tracks that have a bit the development, from the demo to the finished produced song show. Whether you need this, everyone must decide for themselves. I think it is a nice gimmick but nothing Essentials. The production of the disc is, of course, according to the song material, turned out very modern.
What remains to say in conclusion?
Each of the songs (Dog Days times excepted) have the potential to climb in spite of harder guitar used as the usual radio program on the charts all the way up. Yes yes, I know for absolute die hard metalheads, the last sentence should feel like a gunshot in the foot but it is now times like that. This does not mean that you Within Temptation here on plastic Beat pabulum can reduce waste ala Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Gangnam Style and Co.. The compositions are certainly trimmed to hit, but differ in terms of tougher electric guitar use, the high and technically perfectly implemented quality of the songs and Sharon's perfect vocal performance, completely from the other so-called "hits". The modern elements bring some fresh air into the sometimes dusty metal genre. Within Temptation have here the wheel but certainly not reinvented an interesting mix of modern, traditional and looking outside the box elements found. Even metal taboos as in "And We Run" they have committed. But precisely because of this all sounds very fresh. This plate is simply fun. Point! Within Temptation give a damn about any genre limitations and use all available means style that could make their music more interesting, full of. It's bold, that's sympathetic and yet rebellious, yes, exactly that's metal! This is more Metal than many other traditional metal band that one always presents the same warmed-bean soup from the steel pot.