Within Temptation started their careers as pure gothic metal band. But now they are difficult to classify. This "Mother Earth" album includes the eponymous album released in 2001 and as a bonus the best Within Temptation songs from the first two albums. This CD is really hard to classify. One is this music really is not, namely atonal fast Metal thrashing with an incomprehensible roaring vocals. The whole is more like an opera with metal instruments, sometimes bombastic, then driving and finally just wonderfully soft and slow. Add to this a truly enchanting vocals of Within Temptation frontwoman Sharon del Adel that every note perfectly meets with her bell-clear voice and provides atmosphere for an atmospheric (goose bumps). Whether you otherwise Gothic, Metal, Ethno, mysticism, pop or rock hears this music combines many influences into a wonderful tapestry of sound. Each song is perfect in its own way. Within Temptation are more of an insider, but this band could really deserves widespread international attention, because a masterpiece, not everyone can make it!