The appropriately named Enter is the first album, reare shared between leased in 1999, from the Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation (who just finished a tour of the US opening for Iron Maiden). They had also released an EP, Restless, in 1997.
It's really quite varied, ranging from almost purely orchestral pieces to some pretty heavy metal. Sharon den Adel, the vocalist, has the usual amazing voice that seems to characterize these bands. It's not just that she sounds pretty, but she really knows how to use those pipes, as well. Like many symphonic metal bands, though, the vocals mix the 'clean' sound of den Adel's voice with growled vocals from Robert Westerholt. This is the so-called 'beauty and the beast' effect.
For a first album, this is really very impressive. Their sound is well established. And although their music is not as complex as that of Epica or Nightwish or Ayreon, it's still got more than enough to keep me interested, and that's not always easy to do.
The real highlight for me is "Gatekeeper", which is one of the heavier numbers on the album. It opens with a lovely orchestral passage which flows smoothly into heavily distorted guitars, which eases back into a more orchestral section, though that's overlayed with drums. The introduction complete, the song moves into a second section, featuring power chords and then a simple but effective guitar riff. The vocals begin in the growled style, with choral voices behind, until Den Adel at the chorus. It's really a powerful song.
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