Mother Earth: +DVD

All of the tracks here are good, but the title track, Ice Queen and Caged could be dubbed as outstanding. There are softer, piano-dominated tracks, such as Our Farewell and Neverending Story [yes, there is something Fantasy-esque about this album, as the cover-art hints at]. The only slightly annoying thing is how the Mother Earth theme permeates much of the album and how they use some kind of flutelike effect in some of the songs, but if you can get over this [which isn't hard to do, admittedly], all the better. If you like your instrumentation heavy and your vocals soaring and harmonic, this is for you.

This album was originally was released in 2001 in Europe, but overwhelming demand - the fact that is sold over a hundred thousand copies in tiny Holland alone is quite remarkable - it was released in 2003 for the American and U.K market. And it is very easy to see why this album is so popular as it is very accessible.

While they have lost the "beast" growling vocals, the death metal-esque riffs do remain, but they have been toned down in order to not drown out Sharon Den Ardel's beautiful voice. This is not a stereotypical metal album as it also utilizes keyboards, a choir, string instruments and even on some songs, wind instruments. This is all together put, a simply amazing album.

Starting off with the title track "Mother Earth", it begins with wind and string instruments along with the raising vocals of a choir behind it, until abruptly the guitars and drums kick in, already you know that this song is going to rock, and rock hard. Sharon manages to project her beautiful voice over the music, as she sings about, as the title suggested, Mother Earth. One of the singles off of this album, this is a great introduction to the album.

"Ice Queen" was the song that initially attracted me to WT when I saw it on German MTV. Starting with a gentle piano in the background, sudden bursts of the choirs vocals along with electronically produced sounds, much like before the band jump in all of a sudden as the song really kicks off. This is the perfect WT song and is one of my favorites on the album. Those wondering whether or not to purchase this album should really check this song out before hand.

Slowing things down next is "Our Farewell". Accompanied by only a piano and some string instruments, Sharon really has a chance to shine here, showing off her awesome voice. You can really hear the emotion in her voice as she ponders whether it's the last farewell between her and a loved one. A beautiful song, this knocks spots off of Evanescence's "My Immortal", and only up until the end of the song do the guitars kick in.

"Caged" starts off with wind instruments, a flute perhaps, before the drums introduce the entire band, as Sharon sings with despair, scorned by a deceitful loved one, she bitterly and venomously sings out the chorus. The sense of loneliness and rejection is projected nicely in this song, a song for anyone whom has ever been betrayed. Later in the song she looks back regretfully as she knows that the relationship entailed in this song has had its repercussions on her, and how hard it is to trust someone new.

With a slow intro, "The Promise" is one of the longest song on the album, and takes a time to get going. When it finally does it rocks along nicely, before quietening down to put full focus on Sharon as she sings about a lost loved one. One of the more epic songs on the disc, it tells a tale which is easily followed as Sharon pours out her heart and soul.

"Never-Ending Story" is the first song on the album so far not to use guitars, but it isn't the last. A definite "lighter in the air, arms swaying" sing-along song it uses nothing more than a piano with some gentle drumming in the background and brief involvement of the choir, it is a majestic song.

The choir is used once again to open up next song, "Deceiver Of Fools". Telling a tale of a dark being who rules people ruthlessly. This song uses the orchestra beautifully, and never gets tiring. A emensely enjoyable song, this is the longest song on the album.

With "Intro", it serve no real purpose on the disc other than to be a pre-lude to "Dark Wings". The latter song is currently my favorite on the album. Starting off strongly with the choir, drums, and some great catchy hooks and riffs, Sharon really shines in this song, the heaviest on the album. I fell madly in love with this song as it so just easily commercially appealing it's a crime that Within Temptation are not a big band outside of Europe.

"In Perfect Harmony" much like "Never-Ending Story" uses no guitars what so ever. Plodding along almost mischeivously, it is about men living in peace with nature. Definitely not what you'd expect from a band who a few years earlier were doing "doom metal". A nice, gentle and relaxing song it also uses birds tweeting and nature calls.

Included on the album in bonus form are tracks "Restless", "Bittersweet", "Enter" and "The Dance".

"Restless" was included on their debut EP, but this is the "classical version" of the song, it is a great song. A nice touch to the album.

"Bittersweet" is a song that was included on one of the singles from this album as a b-side. It is one of the shortest songs on the disc as Sharon sings over a piano and the orchestra. A lovely song, it fully deserves its place on this album.

"Enter" and the "Dance" are tracks from their earlier EP's - going by the same names - and are performed live. This shows what the band once was in comparison to now.

I strongly recommend this album to fans of Evanescence, as WT are far superior to said band. Also this is for anyone who wants something that can rock hard, but is not stereotypical metal music.

For fans of the two live tracks, may I also recommend another Dutch band called Orphanage who play the same type of music WT used to, and have toured with them.