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Within Temptation
artist

Within Temptation

Within Temptation is a symphonic metal artist from Netherlands formed in 1996. 73 releases are catalogued on Riffiter.

Symphonic Metal · Netherlands · Best symphonic metal albums

1 follower
4.0 /5
42 ratings
73
Releases
1997–2026
Active years
1996
Formed

Discography

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Resist (Extended Deluxe) cover4.0

Most popular

Resist (Extended Deluxe)

2019 · 25 tracks

Singles & EPs

48

Live & compilations

7

Videos

4

Past shows

All past shows →

Community

More about Within Temptation

Honors

3
  • Popprijs

    ×1

    Popprijs

    • 2005
  • Silver Harp

    ×1

    Silver Harp

    • —
  • MTV Europe Music Awards

    ×1

    MTV Europe Music Awards

    • 2007 · Best Dutch & Belgian Act

Award data from Wikidata; photos via Wikimedia Commons — click a photo for its author and license.

About

Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Their music is described as symphonic metal, although their earlier material, such as Enter, was gothic metal. In an interview, den Adel said they fell into a symphonic rock genre with various influences. In a later interview with 3VOOR12, Sharon stated that "we consider ourselves more a symphonic rock band ... we are in my opinion no gothic band". After the release of their first album Enter, the band became prominent in the Dutch underground scene. It was not until 2001 that they became known to the general public, with the single "Ice Queen" from the album Mother Earth, which reached #2 on the Dutch charts. Since then, the band won the Conamus Exportprijs four years in a row. Their next albums The Silent Force and The Heart of Everything debuted at #1 on the Dutch charts. In 2008, they released a live DVD and CD, Black Symphony, recorded with the Metropole Orchestra. This collection was followed in 2009 with An Acoustic Night at the Theatre.

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The band's fifth studio album The Unforgiving, was released in March 2011, alongside both a comic book series and a series of short films that together encompass a story. The first single, "Faster", was released on January 21, and the first short film, Mother Maiden, was released on January 31. The band has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. Long-term partners Robert Westerholt (guitar) and Sharon den Adel (vocals) began the band in 1996, after Westerholt left his previous band, The Circle. The Circle renamed themselves Voyage and released an album called Embrace, including a song featuring den Adel. Soon after that release the band broke up. Westerholt then joined with den Adel in forming Within Temptation, including former The Circle band members Jeroen van Veen on bass guitar and Michiel Papenhove on guitar, as well as Martijn Westerholt on the keyboard and Dennis Leeflang on drums (later replaced by Ivar de Graaf). They were offered a recording contract and signed to DSFA Records later that year, beginning work on their first release.

Within Temptation in brief

How many Within Temptation releases are on Riffiter?
73 releases are catalogued, spanning 1997 to 2026.
When was Within Temptation formed?
Within Temptation formed in 1996, in Netherlands.
What genre is Within Temptation?
Within Temptation is catalogued under Symphonic Metal.
What is the most recent Within Temptation release on Riffiter?
Somebody Like You, released in 2026.
What awards has Within Temptation won?
Within Temptation has 3 award wins on record, including Popprijs (1×), Silver Harp (1×), MTV Europe Music Awards (1×).

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