Within Temptation And The Metropole Orchestra - Black Symphony [2008]

See Larger Image	List Price: £24.99 Our Price: £17.98 Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Manufacturer: Roadrunner Records Average Customer Rating:
Audience Rating: Exempt Binding: DVD EAN: 0016861092399 Format: Box set Label: Roadrunner Records Manufacturer: Roadrunner Records Number Of Items: 4 Publisher: Roadrunner Records Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2008-09-22 Running Time: 350 Studio: Roadrunner Records Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Related Items Death Magnetic Limited Edition Mother Earth Live [Double DVD + CD] [2006] Beautiful Voices Vol. 3 [CD + DVD] Mother Earth Dream Theatre - Chaos In Motion 2007-2008
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Very good value - excellent concerts Comment: This is an amazing set and excellent value for money. There are two DVDs and two CDs. The Black Symphony concert has Within Temptation backed by the Metropole Orchestra and is an amazing visual and audio spectacle. I particularly like the quiet mid-section where they play songs like Memories and the Swan Song. One DVD has the Black Symphony concert and a few extras, the other DVD has yet another concert, this time without the Metropole, plus even more extras like interviews and videos. The second concert has some tracks, like Jane Doe, which were not played with the Metropole, so is also worth watching. The two CDs are of the Black Symphony concert. Many have said it already, but the Black Symphony concert at the Ahoy in Rotterdam is absolutely amazing. If you like rock music of any kind treat yourself to this as concerts don't get much better. Customer Rating: Summary: Black magic - this enchanted evening will cast a spell upon you. Comment: Awesome (adjective) 1. inspiring or displaying awe 2. excellent or outstanding 3. Within Temptation's Black Symphony concert at the Ahoy, Rotterdam. I wrote that the Silent Force tour DVD at Java Island concert was the most incredible live performance on DVD I've ever seen. I've changed my mind. This one is better and redefines the dictionary definition of awesome. Black symphony is an outstandingly spectacular show which lasts just under two hours. It commences in black and white with a specially written overture which sets the tone of the whole performance - grand and majestic. Jillian (I'd give my heart) is the opening song in a faultless set which flows perfectly, balancing rock with ballads, full accompaniment with simple acoustic. The stage becomes bathed in those particular shades of blue, green and red so evocative of gothic rock. A full stage video screen displaying some very impressive images compliments and enhances the performance whilst never distracting from the band. Having seen Within Temptation live in Wolverhampton for the Heart of Everything tour, I know that Sharon's live performance is mesmerising and she commands total attention wherever she is on stage. Her voice is so hauntingly ethereal, with a timbre that conveys both melancholy vulnerability and inspired confidence wherever appropriate, so evidently on display in the rendition of Forgiven. The guest appearances, like the crowd participation, were kept in proportion. The audience reaction to Keith Caputo was genuinely warm and welcome, enhancing the experience of the special interaction between band and audience for What Have You Done. This song brought the crowd alive in the performance I was at where he was on a pre-recorded video screen, taking the concert to top gear so I can only imagine what it did for a capacity crowd of 12 000 fans at Ahoy. The camerawork is spot on conveying the sense of live performance up close and from afar. The Metropole Orchestra were a perfect accompaniment to Within Temptation's sound and the arrangements created a depth to the songs that would have overwhelmed other groups or styles of music. Their compositions have stood up to the test and passed with flying colours. There is also an additional bonus concert of approximately 1 hour's duration at a venue in Beursgebouw. This is a more intimate event filmed on video. It captures perfectly the supreme live performance that Within Temptation win awards for. The majesty of the Ahoy performance is scaled down to just one cellist but it is no less of a crowd pleasing performance. Within Temptation know how to deliver a show and once more effectively use green, red and blue light to bath the stage which is decorated with an array of flaming bowls and three large video screens which enhance and not detract or distract from the band. Once more Sharon mesmerises with a blend of both confident and fragile vocals. I was delighted to see that the song that made me fall in love with Within Temptation, Restless from Mother Earth, was in the song list. This acoustic arrangement is phenomenal and recreates an already incredible song into an even better one. I don't have many regrets in life but not being at both of these concerts are on the list. Once more this band and this DVD redefine the dictionary. Perfect (adjective) 1. Lacking nothing essential to the whole; complete of its nature or kind. 2. Being without defect or blemish: a perfect specimen. 3. Thoroughly skilled or talented in a certain field or area. 4. Completely suited for a particular purpose or situation. 5. Black Symphony concert DVD by Within Temptation. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!!! Customer Rating: Summary: A VISUAL TREAT!!!!!!!! Comment: Wow! On the 7 Feb 2008 Dutch gothic rock band, Within Temptation, took to the stage in Rotterdam to play to a 10,000 strong audience. Cameras were there to record the event, and the result was Black Symphony. Backed by a 60 piece orchestra, supported by a choir, circus performers and with a couple of guest appearances thrown in, Within Temptation created a spectacle that few bands could live up to. Sharon's vocals are flawless, and her gothic presence commands the stage the entire time. Containing 2 DVDs and 2 CDs this set is outstanding value for money, and is a must for WT fans. Put you feet up, turn the volume up and enjoy the greatest show on earth!!!! Customer Rating: Summary: Within Temptation -definitely! Comment: Utterly,utterly fantastic!!! Production values are amazing and the performances are faultless. This band should be massive in the UK so why are they never seen here? Blame Radio broadcasters who dumb down what we hear!!! For those of us who love anthemic,full, detailed scores and soaring vocals, added to a lot of theatre, this DVD fulfils all our desires. Highly recommend this one!!! Customer Rating: Summary: A spellbinding tour de force Comment: This is an awesome addition to the already outstanding Within Temptation discography. Although not quite as magical as their truly breathtaking concert at Java Island (captured on The Silent Force Tour DVD and absolutely NOT to be missed) this superb performance confirms Within Temptation's status at the very forefront of symphonic metal, even with such excellent acts as Epica, Leaves' Eyes, After Forever and Nightwish operating in the genre. A truly colossal event, Black Symphony incorporates a huge orchestra, hooded monks, pyrotechnics, several costume changes, guest appearances and lest we forget, the magnificent Within Temptation themselves with their huge guitar sound and Sharon den Adel's flawless vocals. Crowning an amazing set list, for me the highlight of the show was Sharon's outstanding duet with the incomparable Anneke van Giersbergen (formerly of The Gathering) in their rendition of The Silent Force's 'Somewhere'. If you're a fan of great vocals, this duet will take your breath away. Stunning. More Reviews