Within Temptation -- Baltimore, MD -- September 12th, 2011

[tenchimyo]

Went to see WITHIN TEMPTATION at RAM's Head Live. THREE supported them. Way more people than I anticipated- they were packing the balconies and the floor- compared to ARCH ENEMY (balconies closed, kind of crowded on the floor) the week before. A lot of young people and females.

I got there in time to get one cheap drink and then THREE came on. I thought this was an odd pairing, as their progressive mix is a little bit not really the same crowd for WITHIN TEMPTATION. I enjoyed them for the most part (minus drum solo zzz), and the crowd was appreciative. I noticed, from the back where I was standing, maybe one other bobbing head during their set and no one else was headbanging or moving much during it. The crowd clapped and cheered a bit, so I guess people liked it too? I could tell a few other people knew them, but for the most part I believe the crowd was rather un familiar with them (not to mention having a generic name as 'Three'... trying googling some lyrics sometime..)

As they went off, I went to the floor to get close. I found what looked like one of the only other metal people there and he discussed moshing and how he wanted to start a pit. At this show lolz (more on that later). It got really louder, but I couldn't tell if more people arrived or not (assuming yes).

Around 9:30 WITHIN TEMPTATION came on, after some video intro that was poorly planned out. The backdrop with their Phoenix/Batman logo was obscuring much of it, unfortunately. The crowd got LOUD immediately and Sharon and co. came out sounding great. And much Heavier than I expected (which is a good thing). Sharon's voice sounded great and the band looked like they were having fun (keyboard guy looked very serious tho).

During some part of 'Faster,' the other metal dude started a small pit (re: three people if you count my lackadaisical participation). The crowd predictably moved and then we had some more room to headbang and the like. I didn't understand the crowd, as the vast majority was not really moving (to me a sign of enjoying the music, but not always). Some jumping and a LOT of clapping, but the enthusiasm during songs seemed lacking IMO. The cheers/applause/appreciation was readily apparent, make no mistake about that.

There was a HUGE reaction for 'What Have You Done...' despite them using a backing track for the dude. That was an odd choice. Like one of the dudes in the band could not sing that? I didn't like this song, but like everyone else in the crowd went...ape.

At some parts near the end when Sharon spoke she sounded like she was losing her voice. The one bald guitarist (well ok there were like 3 guys in that band that are bald) who seemed like the rhythm guitarist said they'd be back again in a year or by the end of the year.

Great show IMO, the sound was great, and the crowd was good (but could have been more energetic!).


Mech wise- there was a logo t-shirt and bandanna (same as the backdrop), album cover shirt (newest), expensive hoodie and jersey. Nothing really amazing IMO, but there was a long ass line when I got there. THREE had some shirts (nothing really amazing IMO), and some $20 CDs...

Three setlist

• Alien angel
• ?
• Battle cry
• All that Remians
• Sparrow (new song from forthcoming record)
• The End is begun
• Acoustic solo
• Drum solo (piss break zzzzzz)
• Jam session

Within Temptation setlist

• Intro
• Shot in the Dark
• In the Middle of the Night
• Faster
• Fire and Ice
• Ice Queen
• Iron
• Churchhill speech intro
• Our Solemn Hour
• Stand My Ground
• intro/video
• Sinead
• What Have You Done (W/ Backing Track wtf)
• Howling
• Angels
• Memories
• --encore break
• Deceiver of Fools
• Mother Earth
• --encore break
• Stairway to the Skies

[jhdeity]

Cool review. I was offered a free ticket to this show and asked my friend why? His response was there will be a ton of hot chicks there. I youtubed them and thought he was crazy. Shania Twain looking chick singing Evanescense? Aren't people over this yet? Looks like I stand corrected. I can't believe the upstairs was open for this show. Or that this band headlines Rams Head while Hatebreed is stuck playing behind All That Remains and 5 Finger Donkey Punch at the same venue.

Something is seriously wrong with the world...

[tenchimyo]

well diff 'rent strokes for diff 'rent folks. There was definitely a larger portion of crowd that were females- take that as you may.


I enjoyed it, but of course I visited HELLOWEEN with GAMMA RAY at this same venue a couple years ago (amazing show BTW) and there was a pitifully small crowd for them. Upstairs closed. So I do agree with some bands being under-appreciated (tho perhaps we would disagree as to which ones :3 )

Free ticket? Woulda been an enjoyable experience, if only for some eye candy lolz

[kommie]

The female crowd is probably there because this band had a song on that stupid Vampire Diaries show, aka Twilight: The Series(pretty much)

[tenchimyo]

Originally Posted by kommie

The female crowd is probably there because this band had a song on that stupid Vampire Diaries show, aka Twilight: The Series(pretty much)

I think that would bring some small percentage. I would figure a larger percentage would either like the music and/or see a strong female presence/role model/hey you can do it too (if you sing well...).

[MPF]

Originally Posted by jhdeity

5 Finger Donkey Punch

I am so glad this is catching on.


My friends in This Will Not End Well thank you!

[Epidemic Reign]

No Ice Queen? Bummer. A little heavy on the new album too... although I'm glad to see they're playing Sinead, that's my favorite track off of The Unforgiving.

[Sanitarium78]

Originally Posted by jhdeity

Cool review. I was offered a free ticket to this show and asked my friend why? His response was there will be a ton of hot chicks there. I youtubed them and thought he was crazy. Shania Twain looking chick singing Evanescense? Aren't people over this yet? Looks like I stand corrected. I can't believe the upstairs was open for this show. Or that this band headlines Rams Head while Hatebreed is stuck playing behind All That Remains and 5 Finger Donkey Punch at the same venue.

Something is seriously wrong with the world...

Ok, the Shania line made me laugh. But she is not not singing like Evanescence, more like the other way around. Within Temptation released their first two albums and an EP before Evanescense came out with their first one. This entire genre was popular in Europe before Evanescense made it popular in North America.

The reason there were more people there than Arc Enemy is because Within Temptation has a more appealing sound to them. Also, they're only doing a handful of North American shows, so people probably traveled to see them. I do agree that there is something wrong with Hatebreed opening for ATR and 5FDP.

Originally Posted by Malevolent Mike

No Ice Queen? Bummer. A little heavy on the new album too... although I'm glad to see they're playing Sinead, that's my favorite track off of The Unforgiving.

Ice Queen has been getting played after Fire and Ice at the shows. Maybe the OP just forgot to type it down. I'm not surprised the set is heavy on the new album. Since it's a concept album I expected that. I really like Murder and A Demon's Fate, too bad they aren't doing those. But the rest of the selections off the new one i'm fine with.

[jhdeity]

Originally Posted by MPF

I am so glad this is catching on.


My friends in This Will Not End Well thank you!

It's REALLY catching on. Everyone I know just calls them Donkey Punch now.

[MPF]

Originally Posted by jhdeity

It's REALLY catching on. Everyone I know just calls them Donkey Punch now.

That makes me so happy.

Once they get filmed playing Five Finger Donkey Punch, I will post the link here.

Nevermind, here it is, in live bootleg form. Watch the last 15 minute or so:

http://youtu.be/3x9P4l8GZNo