My initial reactions of "Hydra" were mixed, and a few listens later, they still are. Granted, it is difficult to follow up your best album, but it's been done. "Hydra" isn't a failure or success, but a weird jumble of old and new sounds that have brought the band to where they are today.
Track-By-Track review
1. Let Us Burn
The album has an excellent start with this track. It represents the sound, emotion, and atmosphere of true Within Temptation. Pulsating drum beats, soaring vocals, and smooth key strokes. Interestingly enough, the song features little orchestral elements, which Within Temptation have become known for. But here, the straightforward and pounding energy lifts the song up. 4.5/5
2. Dangerous (feat. Howard Jones [ex-Killswitch Engage])
Undeniably Within Temptation's heaviest song to date, "Dangerous" is an anthem to thrill seekers and metal-heads alike. There is strong melodic guitar work from Robert Westerholt, and Ruud Jolie, as well as keyboardist Martijn Spierenburg. The problem itself actually lies within the vocals of the song. The combination between Sharon and Howard feels disconnected because their voices are so different. Howard's vocal range does not fit the pace and tempo of the music. More often than not, his voice is so nasally, that as a listener, the song becomes one that you're likely to skip through on further listens. As a metalcore singer, I was expecting Jones to have a rougher vocal profile for the song. Unfortunately, Within Temptation's "fast" song just isn't fast or "edgy" enough to fit this singer. 2.5/5
3. And We Run (feat. Xzibit)
Symphonic metal + rap = that will never work. Unless you're Within Temptation and manage to make the combination the highlight of the entire album. Following in the path of the dance track "Sinéad" from "The Unforgiving," "And We Run" finds the band exploring dance, hip-hop, and rap all in one song. Beginning with a soft keyboard intro, backdropped by a quiet string section, "And We Run" picks up speed with a dance-like drum beat and Sharon's angelic voice. I was initially turned away when Xzibit was announced as a guest musician on "Hydra," but my iPod says differently now. It's difficult to understand why this song is so successful, because musically, this shouldn't work. But it does. This foray into blending genres does find the band in strange waters sometimes, but "And We Run" is an unprecedented accomplishment. If the band could pick up awards for the album, I wouldn't be surprised if this song was the reason why they succeeded. They may even break into the mainstream with this track. 5/5
4. Paradise [What About Us?] (feat. Tarja [ex-Nightwish])
The collaboration that symphonic metal fans have been waiting for for years. This song does not disappoint! Lead in by a seductive string section, "Paradise" hits you full throttle with swift guitar and drum work that never lets you go. Don't forget the stellar guest vocalist turn from ex-Nightwish front woman, Tarja Turunen. For having such unique and contrasting vocal capabilities, den Adel and Turunen are a match made in heaven. The lyrics are meaningful and thought-provoking. Some of WT's best work is on display here. The only downside to the song is that we get to hear the chorus one too many times, and it begins to feel repetitive. Otherwise, "Paradise" is a definite highlight on "Hydra." 4.5/5
5 - Edge of the World
"Edge of the World" isn't a bad song: it's just that it's a really obvious filler. Musically, this takes listeners back to early Within Temptation. Notably, "The Silent Force" era. With an atmospheric profile similar to classics like "Pale" and "Somewhere," "Edge of the World" isn't anything new for seasoned Within Temptation listeners. As "Hydra" is a retrospect of sorts, the song does work on a nostalgic level. But other than that, it feels a bit out of place following stronger tracks like "Paradise" and "And We Run." It's a nice attempt at reminding listeners of older Within Temptation sounds, but this isn't anything highly original or better than past efforts. 2/5
6 - Silver Moonlight
After the first twenty seconds or so this song began to worry me. It seemed like the band was really going backwards and making the entire second half of "Hydra" into "The Silent Force" part two. Surprisingly, "Silver Moonlight" turns into one of the highlights of the album. Carried by a strong chorus, and sick guttural vocals by Robert Westerholt (who could easily be mistaken for Mark Jansen of "Epica"), "Silver Moonlight" is a pleasant mixture of albums "Enter" and "The Heart of Everything." This is a song that is reminiscent of the strong gothic elements of Within Temptation, but also their stellar uses of doom metal elements. 4/5
7 - Covered By Roses
Continuing with the theme of "Hydra," "Covered By Roses" will find insightful Within Temptation listeners back into the era of "The Heart of Everything" and "The Unforgiving." It's inevitable and difficult to judge the songs on "Hydra" as "Hydra" songs because the band has been so open about the album being a collection of sounds explored in the past, and those they want to continue with in the future. That being said, this is a fast tempo song that finds the band experimenting with minor electronic elements paired with rapid, melodic guitar work and their signature atmospheric, choir-like synthesizers. It's not a phenomenal song, but it's a solid addition to "Hydra" that rounds out the sound of Within Temptation. 3.5/5
8 - Dog Days
There really isn't much to be said about "Dog Days." It's the song that just should have been saved for a bonus track or left on the floor of the recording studio. The keyboard work here is simple and relatively static. There is some decent guitar work from Robert and Ruud that makes the song somewhat listenable. But the unpleasant and repetitive lyrics make the song practically unlistenable. If you're going to have a chorus that goes "1, 2, 3, 4, what are you waiting for?" you have to find some way to make it not sound so cheesy. Even the title is reminiscence of "Dog Days Are Over," and to a strange extent, the song fits the sound and look of Florence + The Machine better than it does Within Temptation. 0.5/5
9 - Tell Me Why
This is actually one of the few songs on "Hydra" that feels like a progression of Within Temptation and their sound. There are the echoes of how the band developed their signature synthesized and guitar driven tunes. But the brutality of Westerholt's vocals, paired with Sharon's matured lyrics bring the band out of the airy and angelic quality that much of their earlier works possessed. The strong guttural work featured on only two songs from "Hydra" could signal a change in vocalization for the following records. But at the moment, it's a nice break from the recycled sound that much of the album demonstrates. 4/5
10 - Whole World Is Watching (feat. Dave Pirner [Soul Asylum])
"Hydra" started on a strong note with the track "Let Us Burn," and then slowly wavered between good and mediocre. "Whole World Is Watching" is truly the savior that "Hydra" needed in order for it to not be a total misfire. Featuring stellar vocals by Soul Asylum frontman Dave Pirner, den Adel and company manage to engender a mid-tempo ballad with solid key, guitar, and hearable bass work. Although the breakdown and progression of the song is simple, it is refreshing that the band isn't trying to be experimental, but also not holding onto their old hooks. After seeing the music video directed by visionary Patric Ullaeus, the song does take on a stronger meaning, and further listens will continue to reward audiences with the subtle beauty and complexity of the song. If they could find a suitable male vocalist to tour with, this song could join the ranks of classics such as "Memories," and "Stand My Ground." A phenomenal way to end "Hydra." 5/5
Eclectic, but not always cohesive, "Hydra" finds Within Temptation at a deadlock where listeners won't be sure if the band wants to progress their sound or move back to earlier eras. The album does feature an array of sounds that fit the band's look and atmosphere exceedingly well. Just at this point, and with the way they combined it all into one, the final product comes out a bit muddy and confused. "Hydra" does have tracks that will fit nearly any listeners tastes, but as a whole, it's a sour mixture. At the end of the day, certain songs will surely become classics, and others forgotten. We've seen better from Within Temptation, and we can expect that they'll move past this minor misstep in the future.
"Hydra" is set to be released in the U.S. on February 4, 2014.
Final Score: 7.1/10
...here's to the future of Within Temptation \m/
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