That’s how it was with WITHIN TEMPTATION

October 15, 2024, Hamburg, Alstersdorf sports hall

Powerful, driving, heavy guitar riffs combined with epic orchestral arrangements and operatic vocals – that’s symphonic metal! This genre has managed to unite the raw energy of metal with the sublime drama of classical music and captivate fans worldwide with this blend. Since their formation in 1996, Within Temptation have been one of the best-known representatives, delighting fans and critics alike with their unique mix of the raw energy of their original metal, their epic melodies and the haunting voice of singer Sharon den Adel. Within Temptation is certainly one of the greats of the genre. A total of seven top 10 placements in the album charts – with “Resist” even reaching number 1 in 2019 – speak for themselves.

Elaborate stage shows that impress visually together with their musical versatility also ensure the perfect overall package for an ever-growing fanbase. Within Temptation made a stop in Hamburg as part of their current “Bleed Out Tour”-2024 and part of their big world tour. And we had the opportunity to be there live: In Hamburg’s Alterdorfer Sporthalle, which was very well filled with over 3,500 fans, the German metal band Annisokay were allowed to get the expectant audience really glowing. This was achieved at the latest when Sharon den Adel, casually dressed in jeans and a shirt, entered the stage for a duet with Annisokay. The sports hall was already on the verge of boiling.

After a short break, Within Temptation entered the stage right on time at 9:02 p.m. to thunderous applause, the setting of which was reminiscent of a hall in an old castle. They started with “We Go to War”, “Bleed Out” and “Ritual”, all from the latest 2023 album “Bleed Out”, which reached number 5 in the German charts. That was a really great start and Within Temptation immediately captivated the Hamburg audience. Sharon den Adel was on top form as usual and shone with her very powerful but also very sensitive voice.

With “Shed My Skin”, she then performed a rousing song together with Christoph Wieczorek from Annisokay, which completely won over the audience. This was followed by “Wireless”, also from the current album, as well as other classics such as “The Reckoning”, “Shot in the Dark” and “Stand My Ground”, before another major highlight: a duet on “A Fool’s Parade” with the well-known Ukrainian singer/songwriter and producer Alex Yarmak.

Now the hall was boiling and with the hits “The Promise”, “Supernova”, “Angels” and “Paradise (What About Us?)” the finale of their regular setlist approached: The sensational Within Temptation anthem “Faster”. Now there was absolutely no stopping them and the three encores “Our Solemn Hour”, “All I Need” and “Mother Earth” rounded off a successful concert evening in grand style. The Hamburg audience thanked them boisterously and left the Alsterdorfer Sporthalle visibly thrilled, carried by the magic of the evening, out into the almost cold autumnal winter night – with a smile on their faces and unforgettable moments in their luggage.

Text & Photos: Thomas Friedel Fuhrmann

Setlist:
“We Go to War” – “Bleed Out” – “Ritual” – “Shed My Skin” (with Annisokay) – “Wireless” – “The Reckoning” – “Shot in the Dark” – “Stand My Ground” – “A Fool’s Parade” – “The Promise” – “Supernova” – “Angels” – “Paradise (What About Us?)” – “Faster” — “Our Solemn Hour” – “All I Need” – “Mother Earth”