Resist cover

Resist

Within Temptation · 2019

47 min · 10 tracks · alternative metal

Symphonic metal anthems intertwine with electronic textures, creating a modern landscape of empowerment and resistance.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Reckoning Start here — As the opening track, it sets a tone of urgency and defiance, featuring powerful vocals from Sharon den Adel and a compelling orchestral backdrop that encapsulates the album's themes.
  • →
    Raise Your Banner — This collaborative track features Anders Fridén from In Flames, blending heavy riffs with an uplifting message of unity and resilience, epitomizing the album's core ethos.
  • →
    Supernova — With its driving beat and dynamic chorus, 'Supernova' showcases the band's ability to fuse symphonic metal with pop sensibilities, highlighting their shift towards a more contemporary sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100
Treeline
Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends orchestral and metal elements effectively, though its thematic focus may limit broader appeal.

What we noticed

  • The first three tracks feature heavy guitar riffs paired with orchestral elements, establishing a dramatic tone early on.
  • Several songs incorporate choral backing vocals, enhancing the epic feel and creating a layered sound.
  • The album includes interludes of softer instrumentation that contrast sharply with the heavier sections, providing dynamic shifts.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

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

  • empowering anthems for resilience
  • steady pacing for focused listening
  • haunting melodies with dramatic flair
  • epic soundscapes for reflection

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking quick, upbeat tracks
  • dislike orchestral instrumentation

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — Introduces significant electronic influences, marking a departure from their established sound.
Themes
digital dystopia· gothic resilience
Career context
Upon its release in 2019, 'Resist' marked Within Temptation's seventh studio album, following their 2014 record 'Hydra'. The band was at a pivotal moment, embracing new electronic influences while maintaining their signature orchestral sound, reflecting their evolution over two decades in the music industry.
Stylistic neighbors
Nightwish· Epica· Lacuna Coil

Tracklist

  • 1 The Reckoning Start here 4:13
  • 2 Endless War 4:11
  • 3 Raise Your Banner 5:34
  • 4 Supernova 5:36
  • 5 Holy Ground 4:11
  • 6 In Vain 4:26
  • 7 Firelight 4:49
  • 8 Mad World 5:01
  • 9 Mercy Mirror 3:50
  • 10 Trophy Hunter 5:52

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata