More agressive and harder than it’s predecessor, The Heart Of Everything ties up to where the durch band started: solid and strong symphonic gothic metal ensnared by Sharon den Adels impressive singing.

Slow Intros are followed by powerful guitars and drums and catchy refrains. Bombastic tracks like the opener “The Howling” or “The Heart of Everything” spray a lot of dynamic and create a gloomy atmosphere right from the begining. “Frozen” offers some soulful goth romantic and balads like “All I Need” and “Forgiven” make the album complete. A lot of anthem and some epic and brute sounds mark the sound of Within Temptation. And this all comes together in “Our Solemn Hour” and “The Truth Beneath The Rose”. Bombasitc, varied melodies and strong lyrics.

Noticeable is also the new orientation on the US market. Keith Caputo accompanies Sharon on “What Have I Done” an draws a parallel to Evanescence. Quite a bit commercial but a solid rock song.

Alltogether “The Heart of Everything” offers a fascinating mixture packed with an perfect production and a full featured booklet. The album is full of surprises and details and you will not get bored while listening to it. It even becomes better.