Is Enter a good place to start with Within Temptation?

Yes, Enter is recommended as a starting point for new Within Temptation listeners. Ethereal melodies intertwine with heavy guitar riffs, creating a hauntingly atmospheric soundscape that defines symphonic metal. Released in 1997, Enter was Within Temptation's debut album, marking their entry into the music scene. The band, formed just a few years earlier in 1996, showcased a unique blend of gothic and symphonic elements that would shape their identity and influence the genre.

Enter works well if you're into steady mid-tempo unfolding, haunting orchestral soundscapes and darkly atmospheric evening listening.

How many songs are on Enter?

Enter has 8 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Enter

Within Temptation · 1997

45 min · 8 tracks · alternative metal

Ethereal melodies intertwine with heavy guitar riffs, creating a hauntingly atmospheric soundscape that defines symphonic metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Enter — The title track encapsulates the band's signature style with its blend of orchestral arrangements and powerful vocals, setting the tone for the entire album.
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Restless Start here — Opening with an intense combination of melodic elements and heavy instrumentals, this track showcases the duality that characterizes Within Temptation's sound.
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Blooded — This track stands out for its darker themes and hypnotic rhythms, illustrating the band's ability to weave emotional narratives into their music.
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Grace — Featuring poignant lyrics and soaring vocals, this song highlights the band's lyrical depth and musical range, making it a memorable moment on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The album effectively combines orchestral elements with metal, establishing a distinctive sound for its time.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong orchestral introduction that sets a dark, atmospheric tone, which is maintained throughout the first half.
Vocals alternate between soaring melodies and haunting whispers, often layered with choral backing to enhance the gothic feel.
Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Deep Within,' which shifts from a slow build-up to a faster-paced climax.
The final track, 'Candles,' concludes with a gradual fade-out of strings and vocals, leaving an echoing sense of melancholy.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo unfolding
haunting orchestral soundscapes
darkly atmospheric evening listening
immersive journey of introspection

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
seek instant gratification songs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Debut album that established Within Temptation's reputation in symphonic metal.
Themes: gothic romance· ethereal landscapes
Career context: Released in 1997, Enter was Within Temptation's debut album, marking their entry into the music scene. The band, formed just a few years earlier in 1996, showcased a unique blend of gothic and symphonic elements that would shape their identity and influence the genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Nightwish· Epica· Lacuna Coil