Is Running Up that Hill a good place to start with Within Temptation?

Yes, Running Up that Hill is recommended as a starting point for new Within Temptation listeners. A brooding Kate Bush cover opens into symphonic metal’s dramatic sweep, followed by live performances that stretch the release beyond the studio. Released in 2003, this single arrived between Within Temptation’s second album, Mother Earth, and its 2004 follow-up, The Silent Force. Its live tracks draw on the Mother Earth era, including performances recorded at Lowlands in 2002.

Who is Running Up that Hill for?

Running Up that Hill works well if you're into haunting vocals with orchestral depth, live performance energy and intensity and gradual build to emotional climax.

How many songs are on Running Up that Hill?

Running Up that Hill has 5 tracks, running approximately 25 minutes.

Running Up that Hill

Within Temptation · 2003

25 min · 5 tracks · alternative metal

A brooding Kate Bush cover opens into symphonic metal’s dramatic sweep, followed by live performances that stretch the release beyond the studio.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Running Up That Hill Start here — The studio cover turns Bush’s urgent plea into a measured gothic-metal arrangement, emphasizing the song’s sense of distance and longing.
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Running Up That Hill (live at the Edisons Amsterdam) — A second performance of the cover offers a direct comparison with the studio version and places the adaptation in front of a live audience.
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Deceiver of Fools (live at Lowlands 2002) — This extended festival performance brings the darker, more expansive side of Mother Earth into the single’s orbit.
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Caged (live at Lowlands 2002) — The Lowlands recording shifts the focus from the cover to an original song, with its dramatic vocal lines and heavy arrangement illustrating the band’s concert sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

67 /100

Treeline

Higher than 46% of albums we've rated

The single blends gothic and symphonic elements effectively but lacks cohesion due to its live tracks.

What we noticed

The title track features a dynamic build-up, starting with a soft piano intro that gradually layers in orchestral elements and heavy guitar riffs.
The live tracks showcase the band's ability to maintain energy and engagement with the audience, featuring extended instrumental sections.
The single's arrangement includes contrasting sections of quiet verses followed by powerful choruses, emphasizing the emotional weight of the lyrics.

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

haunting vocals with orchestral depth
live performance energy and intensity
gradual build to emotional climax
atmospheric sound for introspective moments

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification tracks
avoid lengthy live performances

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This single solidified their presence in the European metal scene, enhancing recognition.
Themes: gothic romance· emotional struggle
Career context: Released in 2003, this single arrived between Within Temptation’s second album, Mother Earth, and its 2004 follow-up, The Silent Force. Its live tracks draw on the Mother Earth era, including performances recorded at Lowlands in 2002.
Stylistic neighbors: Nightwish· Epica· Lacuna Coil