ALBUM RECOMMENDATION (Within Temptation - The Silent Force)

Back in my teenage days, I used to be told that I was a goth poser just because I liked wearing black. I didn’t even wear make-up or paint my nails but, for some reason, my bullies could not bear seeing someone so fragile as me embracing such an alternative dark aesthetic and, the truth is that I wasn’t even trying to fit in or impress them. I just liked wearing black. I was not aspiring to be a goth; I simply was one.

As an artist and a music lover, I’ve always been attracted to this imagery and found beauty in its darkness. I remember when Evanescence blew up, I started to become interested in other singers like Björk or Enya, which were not as rocker as Amy Lee, but still impregnated their music with lots of echoes and cool cinematic sounds that made it so unique and distinctive. And that’s what led me to Within Temptation and The Silent Force, the first album that I heard from them and definitively one of the best in their discography.

I truly believe that The Silent Force is a masterpiece, sonically speaking. Back in the day, I could already perceive how amazing the production arrangements and Sharon’s voice were, but listening to it right now, after a long time without doing it, I can appreciate it much better. Once again, Sharon’s voice is flawless and all the songs sound beautiful. The songwriting is amazing as well. I just can think of one word to describe the melodies created for the songs, and it is “epic”. They are so satisfying and not boring at all. The lyrics and their themes fit in greatly with the melodies and, although they are a little generic sometimes, they’re still enjoyable and relatable. Besides, they’ve gotten better at writing lyrics in English without being native-English speakers with their following albums.

All in all, one of my favorite albums of all time and definitively one of the best from the gothic rocker female scene in the 00’s decade. This true goth is thankful for that.

 

Favorite songs: See Who I Am, Stand My Ground, Forsaken, Memories and It’s The Fear.