Within Temptation are known for being one of the most iconic female-fronted gothic metal bands, and I was excited to finally see them live for the first time. The band brought along some great support acts, although one had to pull out due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Annisokay opened tonight. The German four-piece, who I already knew have an amazing stage presence, delivered a fantastic performance. The band knows exactly how to get a crowd pumped and listening. Upon taking the stage, you couldn’t help but watch them intently as they poured their energy into the set. The guitarist/vocalist handled most of the crowd interaction, and I hope it doesn’t sound demeaning, but it was absolutely adorable hearing him say “thank you very much” after every song, met with enthusiastic cheers from the pit.
Their stage presence was further enhanced by the LED screens, something they also use on their headline tours. The screens played visuals that complemented the tone and vision of their music. It’s always impressive to see a band put so much thought into their stage design. The setup also featured LED strips, which made the lights even more dynamic. Despite the stage being made smaller to hide Within Temptation’s gear, Annisokay made it feel full and vibrant.
Halfway through their set, imagine my—and the audience’s—surprise when the vocalist of Within Temptation, Sharon den Adel, came on stage. The headliner’s frontwoman appeared two hours before their set time to feature on the song “Like a Parasite.” The audience was transfixed, watching Sharon as she sang alongside the band. Annisokay expressed their gratitude to Within Temptation and also gave a shout-out to Blind8, who couldn’t join the tour due to the conflict in Ukraine.
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Within Temptation took to the stage promptly at 9 pm. The Dutch six-piece made an electrifying entrance with “We Go to War.” The stage was breathtaking, adorned with screens projecting stunning visuals. A Greek-inspired column set piece tied the design together beautifully. At climactic moments within songs, smoke cannons paired with red and orange lighting created a fiery effect, adding even more intensity to their performance.
The vocals were flawless. Only during moments when Sharon descended the stairs could you tell it was live. It’s almost as if she eats CDs for breakfast—her strength and vocal stability are unmatched. Her talent shone brightest in songs like “Shot in the Dark,” where her voice delivered absolute perfection.
My only gripe with the stage design was the use of AI-generated visuals. While the visuals were stunning and complemented the music well, it was disappointing to think that no artist could be credited for them. My issue with AI visuals isn’t personal to Within Temptation, but it’s a larger debate for another time. That said, it’s a shame not to have an artist whose work could be celebrated alongside the band’s.
Despite this, everything else about their live performance was immaculate. The band exuded confidence, and their chemistry was evident. The guitarists frequently interacted with each other and other band members on stage, while even the keyboardist—despite being busy—joined in on the energy. Sharon often met the other members in the middle of the stage, their smiles showing just how much they enjoyed performing together.
Midway through the set, there were two special guest vocalists. Alex Yarmak, a Ukrainian artist who collaborated with Within Temptation, joined them for a song they wrote together. The band, deeply affected by the war, also displayed QR codes on the screens linking to the DroneFall charity for audience members to support. Later, Tarja Turunen, formerly of Nightwish, took the stage for a duet. The two powerhouses delivered a spine-tingling performance, blending their operatic vocal styles.
Within Temptation are undoubtedly rock royalty, with a legacy spanning over 20 years. They’ve had a profound impact on the gothic metal scene, and their dedication to raising awareness for pressing global issues only solidifies their influence. Their tour continues until late November, and UK fans won’t have to wait long to see them again during festival season next summer.
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Photos by Jayne Slater
