What makes Paradise (What About Us?) by Within Temptation notable?

'Paradise (What About Us?)' debuted at number one on the Dutch Albums Chart and received positive reviews for its ambitious compositions. It also featured a notable collaboration with singer Tarja Turunen, reinforcing its significance within the metal community as a bridge between two prominent acts. Released in 2013, 'Paradise (What About Us?)' marked Within Temptation's return after a four-year hiatus following their album 'The Unforgiving'. This album showcases their continued evolution in sound while maintaining the grandiosity that defines their style, solidifying their place in the symphonic metal genre.

How many songs are on Paradise (What About Us?)?

Paradise (What About Us?) has 4 tracks, running approximately 21 minutes.

Paradise (What About Us?)

Within Temptation · 2013

21 min · 4 tracks · alternative metal

A sweeping blend of symphonic melodies and heavy riffs, underscored by powerful vocals and anthemic choruses.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Paradise (What About Us?) — The title track sets the tone for the album with its haunting orchestration and poignant lyrics about longing and existential questions, showcasing the band's signature sound.
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Let Us Burn — This demo version features a powerful duet that highlights the synergy between Sharon den Adel's ethereal voice and Tarja Turunen's operatic style, creating a dynamic listening experience.
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Silver Moonlight — With its atmospheric instrumentation and introspective lyrics, this track exemplifies Within Temptation's ability to fuse emotional depth with melodic metal, making it a standout moment on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong composition but lacks cohesion due to its demo tracks.

What we noticed

The title track features a dynamic interplay between orchestral elements and heavy guitar riffs, creating a contrast that drives the song's energy.
Vocals alternate between the lead singer and Tarja Turunen, with their harmonies building tension throughout the chorus.
The demo versions included show less polish and arrangement complexity compared to the main track, highlighting the evolution of the final product.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued evolution and ambition after a four-year hiatus.
Themes: societal reflection· symphonic contrasts
Career context: Released in 2013, 'Paradise (What About Us?)' marked Within Temptation's return after a four-year hiatus following their album 'The Unforgiving'. This album showcases their continued evolution in sound while maintaining the grandiosity that defines their style, solidifying their place in the symphonic metal genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Nightwish· Epica· Lacuna Coil