Is Forgiven a good place to start with Within Temptation?

Yes, Forgiven is recommended as a starting point for new Within Temptation listeners. Ethereal melodies intertwine with heavy riffs, creating a haunting landscape of symphonic metal that captures the essence of longing and redemption. In 2008, Within Temptation was riding high on the success of their previous album, 'The Heart of Everything.' Released as a follow-up, 'Forgiven' marked a significant moment in their career as they embraced more orchestral elements while maintaining their signature gothic metal sound. This era showcased the band's evolution and solidified their status in the symphonic metal genre.

Forgiven works well if you're into emotive vocals that resonate, steady progression with peaks and captivating live performance energy.

How many songs are on Forgiven?

Forgiven has 5 tracks, running approximately 26 minutes.

Forgiven

Within Temptation · 2008

26 min · 5 tracks · alternative metal

Ethereal melodies intertwine with heavy riffs, creating a haunting landscape of symphonic metal that captures the essence of longing and redemption.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Forgiven (single version) Start here — This track serves as a poignant centerpiece for the album, showcasing the band’s seamless blend of orchestral arrangements and emotive lyrics that articulate themes of regret and reconciliation.
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The Howling (live) — A live rendition that captures the raw energy of Within Temptation's performances, highlighting their ability to engage audiences with powerful choruses and dynamic instrumentation.
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Hand of Sorrow (live) — This track exemplifies the band's lyrical depth and emotional intensity, making it a standout moment that resonates deeply with fans during live shows.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The blend of orchestral elements with metal creates a unique sound, though the single format limits its cohesion.

What we noticed

The single version of 'Forgiven' features a prominent orchestral arrangement that contrasts with the heavy guitar riffs, creating a dynamic tension.
The live tracks included showcase the band's ability to maintain energy and engagement in a concert setting, highlighting their performance skills.
The album version of 'Forgiven' extends the orchestration and adds additional layers, providing a richer sound compared to the single version.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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

emotive vocals that resonate
steady progression with peaks
captivating live performance energy
haunting melodies for reflection

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
dislike symphonic arrangements

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Significantly enhanced Within Temptation's international presence post 'The Heart of Everything'.
Themes: forgiveness and redemption· orchestral melancholy· emotional catharsis
Career context: In 2008, Within Temptation was riding high on the success of their previous album, 'The Heart of Everything.' Released as a follow-up, 'Forgiven' marked a significant moment in their career as they embraced more orchestral elements while maintaining their signature gothic metal sound. This era showcased the band's evolution and solidified their status in the symphonic metal genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Nightwish· Epica· Lacuna Coil