History Lesson: Anneke van Giersbergen is in fact THE vocalist who essentially started this whole 'female voice in front of Metal' thing in the Netherlands with The Gathering and she is also the one who heavily influenced none other than Floor Jansen und Sharon den Adel to pursue the career that they have pursued. So it is fair to say she's the seed that turned into a whole frickin' beautiful forest. I had the priviledge to hear her open for Floor when they toured Germany beginning of May 2023 and she is a phenomal vocalist in her own right. Her playing 'Running up that hill' just with a guitar...holy smokes. That was something else from just like 5 metres away.
The opening by Anneke on Floors tour was marvelous. I got tears on Annekes „Valley of the Queens“… A dream would have come true, when they had duetted it. But who knows, maybe next tour…
The one video of Anneke van Giersbergen I listen to often here on RUclips is "The Gathering - Travel (TG25: Live at Doornroosje - unofficial video)". Just put on a headset and drift into Anneke's Ode to Mozart.
Please don't do Strange Machines. Rather pick a track from their later work performed during the TG25 concerts in 2014. Travel, Waking Hour or On Most Surfaces will all give a much better idea of Anneke's vocal capabilities, and all three of them together give a reasonably clear picture of the range of soundscapes they produced together.
@@grungegrumpy3585 Yeah, I agree. It seems a lot of fans tend to mention Strange Machines, probably because it was one of The Gathering's first popular songs and kind of kickstarted things for them. But all of the songs you mentioned from the TG25 concert are exactly what I would recommend, too.
, was looking for great examples of that coop. I've posted it elsewhere too, don't want to spam, but as you say note choice, control, power, emotion : All here: ruclips.net/video/QGuzy-Kq4PM/видео.html
I watched an interview with Sharon awhile ago, and she used to practice singing for hours on her own every day. She's self taught, and hasn't had formal training in singing. That is part of why she has such a unique vocal technique.
I loved that about Sharon from the beginning. There are tiny differences in her voice compared to other singers who have vocal education. They (differences) have always stood out to me, and made Sharon’s voice very unique and charming to me.
That makes a lot of sense when listening to her voice over the years. On their first album Sharon sounded beautiful, but a bit one dimensional, limited. And as the years progress her versatility and strength has developed
Every song from this concert, The Black Symphony, from Within Temptation and The Metropole Orchestra is a winner. Pick any one and you'll have a great song to react to, but of course they have years worth of songs and videos to choose from. Anneke is the same with years worth of videos to choose from but it you really want to hear Annie's vocals in different styles and genres then check her out from any of the songs she did on Beste Zangers a couple of years back. I never get tired of listening to either of these ladies and they both have several videos of them collaborating with other vocalist as well from Tarja, Floor Jansen, Devon Townsend, Amy Lee and a few others. Great, Great reaction as always, young lady. You are one of the best of the best and I always enjoy Watching and Listening to you and I usually learn a thing or two...and that's not always easy for a 70 year old man!
Agreed - The Black Symphony was my gateway to symphonic metal. I had been listening to Evanescence, and Within Temptation came up on a suggestion and took a chance on this album; now I listen to primary Symphonic Metal due to their introduction. Even after all these years and finding some bands I prefer a bit more, The Black Symphony still holds up as easily one of my favorite albums ever. I can still feel that first time listening in the car driving, and just thinking to myself... "WTF, this is epic. Where has this music been all my life???" Before Floorgams were a thing, hearing Sharon sing Jillian the first time had the same effect on me.
Welcome back from your break. Nice to see you getting to hear Sharon and Within Temptation. Black Symphony Concert is a great choice. Live orchestra just adds so much to it. Sharon is mostly self taught. She and her partner, guitarist Robert Westerholt, formed the band in 1996. So they've been around as long as Nightwish. Recommend Our Solemn Hour or their commercial breakthrough song Ice Queen, both from this same concert. You'll probably want to hear Paradise (What About Us) with Tarja as well, but that is from the 2014 Hydra album. Black Symphony was 2008.
Watching the smile spread across your entire face as Anneke joined in and created that beautify harmony with Sharon - that was this whole reaction in a nutshell.
So glad you discovered WT! My faves are "Memories" and "Angels". But really she never doesn't sound amazing! (She also did the vocals for "In & Out of Love" with Armin van Buuren which was fairly popular)
I really love the text you put over your videos. I don't know why more reaction channels don't do this. It's difficult to express every thought you might be having about a song in the moment. Supplementing what you express verbally with text gives your analysis a depth that a lot of other reaction channels don't have. I'm sure you've heard that before. But if I ever start a reaction channel, I plan to do the same thing. I'll credit you with the idea.
It never stops to amaze me that Sharon is entirely self taught. Anneke is that one singer that Floor Jansen herself had as her main motivation to become a frontwoman of a band herself,and that has made an entire live album with Devin Townsend. Have you heard Anneke sing Ih-Ah! together with Devin? If no,its the second track from theyr live album Retinal Circus and here is a really good version of that performance. People say that Anneke here sounds like several background singers,her voice is so angelic here: Devin Townsend Retinal Circus 02 As for this duet,it is one of the most synced duets i have ever heard. And i know its insanely difficult to start exactly at the same time,unless you read the other person really well. Obviously Anneke and Sharon just fits together perfectly. I also love that Anneke brings a different voice here,for the purpose of the song. I have heard her also sing more "bold and rock-ish" in her younger years especially,only 23 years old. Shes soo versatile,and watching her solo live shows,she is hysterical too. She answers the audience yelling all kinds of things to her. I didnt think nothing could make me feel happy in this heat,but your smiles listening and watching theese 2 really did it for me.
I’ve been waiting for Sharon on here for so long! Her voice is incredible! You need to listen to more from her/Within temptation as her range is out of this world.
Sharon dueting with classical singers sounds amazing. The live version of Our Farewell is a ballad similar to Somewhere and the guest singer's voice makes a great contrast with Sharon's lightness. Another great example is Paradise live from Masters of Rock 2019, which is a very interesting version, since Sharon didn't know she was going to duet (Tarja just randomly appears on stage to celebrate Sharon's birthday) and she does change things a bit on her technique in order to sing with Tarja.
I LOVE that you finally found your “round tuit” supply and checked out WT and Sharon! Here with the added super-bonus of Anneke… Your wonderment face pretty much said it all. Did you see the band members’ faces? They KNEW they were sitting right in the middle of magic.
This show (Black Symphony) is absolutely incredible. All the songs are good and well executed. But, my favorite, from that show, is The Solemn Hour. It takes advantage of all the aspect that show had to offer: the multimedia, the orchestra, the choir, the band itself, and the energy of the crowd.
Two Dutch POWERHOUSES, Sharon and Anneke 🥰!!!! To hear this song on a Sunday night before the work week is so relaxing...... Special Reaction!!! Thank you Julia !!!!
I hope you check out more WT! Sharon is an awesome singer, and this Black Symphony concerts is one of the best I've ever seen. She is so versatile because of being mainly self-taught from a young age. To get some more of her versatility, "The Howling" or "The Promise" from this concert are great to check out.
"Memories" or "Angels".... so much to enjoy! Something in the water in the Netherlands? "Shot In The Dark", "Faster", "Candles" (live at Java Eilandt) or, to go way back, "Running Up That Hill"!!! Sharon spent some time, when younger, in Indonesia and she uses a lot of Indonesian style hand movements/dance - more notable in other performances! Anything from "Black Symphony" or "Hydra and Elements"!!! Live is always spectacular and as good as the studio versions if not better.
I'm very surprised that you're just checking them out now, having checked out Nightwish and Epica in the past. To me vocal wise, Sharon is up there with Floor and Simone (in my eyes) her talent, the band's talent is breathtaking to say the least. I hope you keep the journey alive and enjoy them.🌹
Oh, great! You picked an amazing song to start with Within Temptation, especially with this particular duet by Sharon and Anneke. Thanks for this reaction and your elaborate and very informative analysis. While WT have a few ballads in their song list, their typical sound is heavier and way fuller in composition. For comparison check out from the Black Symphony live album: "Mother Earth" (a fixture in every WT setlist to this day), "The Promise", or "The Truth Beneath The Rose" (the latter two being prototypical symphonic metal). Over the years WT have adopted a more industrial or alternative metal sound, sometimes even pop rock and EDM. For instance, check out "Shot In The Dark" which is a perfectly composed pop rock song with over 50 million views on RUclips. WT also have done a cover album (Q-music sessions), with covers of popular songs such as "Titanium" (David Guetta), "Radioactive" (Imagine Dragons) and "Summertime Sadness" (Lana del Rey). The latter is oftenly played as encore in their concerts.
Thanks for reacting to this. I was introduced to Symphonic Metal with Within Temptation and so they are my favourite. I enjoyed your analysis of Sharon's singing. I have always found it very distinctive which I put down to her being self taught. I look forward to more reactions and analysis of their work.
To me Anneke van Giersbergen is the giant on whose shoulders Sharon den Adel and Floor Janssen stand. I saw the Gathering when they just started touring Mandylion, and Anneke had just started singing with them. The light show consisted of floodlights turned straight into the public lots of white smoke. When the lights were on you couldn't see anything, you were alone in an endless white space. It was a wall of sound, vocals, light and smoke. They played the entire album and it lasted simultaneously a few seconds and a million years, I think I died and got reborn at least a 1000 times. I stood stock still, 2 meters tall, in the middle of where the pit would have been and I don't think I saw the band even once because of the smoke and light.
Anneke would well be worth a deep-dive: Leaves, In Motion #2, Shrink, Travel, You'll learn about it, Amity,... All by her former band The Gathering. And then there's her work in Ayreon, and Gentle Storm, Vuur, her solo-stuff, her appearances with Amorphis and Devin Townsend.... She's just ultra-versatile! 🥰
Never heard or seen anyone breaking the duet so technically and intelligently like you, Juls (not to mention as eloquently beautiful). For that, you've earned a sub.
For me Anneke owned this. I just felt she was so much stronger in everyway possible. Sharon is fantastic dont get me wrong ,and from what I hear, she never had lessons. But I think I hear the difference.
YUSH! Finally, Within Temptation! I discovered them like 11-12 years ago on Pandora on a Phantom of the Opera playlist! Such an amazing and versatile band! And Anneke, OMG, so good! Her vocals perfectly compliment Sharon's here and I always find such comfort in her vocal solo work! Good on you, Julia for introducing more people to two incredible musical jewels.
Oooh Anneke on your channel again! ❤ If you would like to see/hear more of her, The Gathering - Travel, TG25 In Doornroosje (Cinderella), The Netherlands. 😊
Another great reaction and analysis, Julia! Yes, Sharon's voice is amazing, and this song shows it off so well. And your joy when Anneke joined in was nectar for the soul.
Hi Julia, as an Australian you've never reacted to one of the greatest vocalist of your country: Mike Mills. He also worked with Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon). He had an impressive live performance (over 5 octaves!) with Ayreon- everybody dies.
Both of these artists are massive, local heroes in their home country of the Netherlands, and the WT concert is with the national orchestra in this major city. When Anneke pops out to join the duet, it is analogous to being at a Taylor Swift Concert and having Rianna drop by for a duet. Julia, I hope you delve more into the very widespread "women fronted rock" genre in Europe. You've met Nightwish, but there are dozens of these and WT is among if not the best of them. WT's breakout tune is "Ice Queen"
"Will she/won't she?" Semi-recognizing Anneke.. but still not sure. Further on, "surely it's her, right?" and then finally the great resolution at 15:25 "Ih-Ah! It's Anneke!!!". Great stuff! Notice btw, how they flip vocal lines several times (as is also the case in "Valley Of The Queens" with Floor). So when they sing "I'll keep on trying" at 2:56 Anneke takes 1st and Sharon 2nd voice. They do the same with "whatever has happened" at 3:13 where it's also clear from the video that Anneke switches tt "soprano" part. Cheers from Amsterdam! 🤘
I came across the black symphony concert on RUclips around 2010ish and was blown away - been to every Within Temptation album concert in the UK since. With the last being the dual headline with Evernesance last year.
Always nice to hear them together, been fortunate to witness their duet live and photograph it even (not this setting, something smaller) but was amazing. Sharon did several great duets as did Anneke. 2 lovely and very talented ladies!
Another great live song and performance by Within Temptation is "The Promise". And another great live song by The Gathering (Anneke van Giersbergen) is "Travel" from TG25 (unofficial live video).
Welcome back, Julia! We’ve missed you! Within Temptation were one of my favorite bands in the 2000’s. They’re still around, if not releasing as much music. A single here and there. The Black Symphony concert has one little flaw: Sharon had a cold, and her voice is not at 100%. Such a pity. But this performance was my first time seeing Anneke.
Anneke has had many looks over the years and appeared with many of my favourite bands. A proper legend and very generous with her talents. Have a Google! I just hope she brings the tour she’s doing with herself and Marco Hietala somewhere nearby!
I'm only a few minutes in, but the fact that THIS song is your introduction is wild. I'm sorry you started at such a high point - I love this band, and these two singers, I just wish you could have been introduced a bit more slowly to them (maybe Ice Queen first, or Angels, followed by Strange Machines, or In Motion #1.) and then crescendo with this masterpiece.
Welcome back from your break, I hope it was a good one. Within Temptation and Sharon are very much a band I'd like to see more reactions on, Sharon has a fantastic voice (especially live) and can sing in pretty much whatever style she wants. If you're looking for suggestions on Within Temptation songs to react to, I'll just name a few of my favorites: The Howling, Ice Queen, The Reckoning, Paradise (which features Tarja), and Angels. I'll also say more Anneke would be welcome as well. While most people are going to suggest her performances with The Gathering and Ayreon, I'll suggest Anneke's progressive metal band Vuur just to be different.
One of the best duet in symphonic metal. Combination of the two best vocalists in their own rights. Don't forget the orchestra that wraps up everything together. Now, can you please do a reaction on Annette and Tarja in their duet "What About Us"?
Great reaction! Yes, you heard Anneke on the Valley of the Queens. She was the blond who you compared to Kristen Chenoweth (Another reactor made the same comparison on that video as well. Commented that you did it first!) . This is one of my favorite songs. So beautiful and moving. Really enjoyed your in depth analysis. Lot's of great Within Temptation songs but one of my favorites is Ice Queen. Lots of great live versions but my favorite is the original music video. You get to see her lovely hand dancing that she does that is inspired by Balinese dancers she saw while living in Indonesia as a child (her father was a diplomat). She also has a degree in fashion and designs her stage outfits.
Julia, Angels same concert seriously you have to. It's visually beautiful. I listen to The Black Symphony when I'm on long trips and love that concert.
Yeah, Within Temptation! Been hoping you'd react to them! More please 😁 They've done so many great songs, it's hard to choose, but for some variety I especially recommend: Where is the Edge, In the Middle of the Night, Memories, All I Need, Iron, Stand my Ground, Forsaken, Angels, Shot in the Dark, Ice Queen, The Heart of Everything, The Howling. As for 'duets', The Reckoning ft. Jacoby Shaddix, and of course - Paradise (What About Us) ft. Tarja. are amazing...
As for Anneke’s range, try Wuthering Heights from her recent Kate Bush tribute tour and then have a look at her work with Devin Townsend, such as Grace or Hyperdrive. And that’s before you get to all her solo work and what she did in The Gathering. Lovely deep rabbit hole for you to explore :)
Anneke la voz mas increíble, dulce y etérea del mundo la amo hace poco pude disfrutarla a unos metros em el escenario mientras ella y una guitarra asi sencilla y sonriente me hacia llorar de la emoción ❤
Sharon & Anneke are both amazing! What a great pick! I would love to see more Within Temptation on the channel. I saw them with Maiden a handful of times & really got into their live show.
My take is this: Within Temptation is the band that got me into symphonic metal originally -- and this concert in 2008 is still one of my favorites (has it honest to God been 15 years already!? 🤯). Everything -- from the beginning purely symphonic, orchrstral piece that is the symphony and choir, to the setlist, the pyros -- this concert has everything. It disappoints not in the least. And, it also has one of my favorite songs in a bit of a remix: The Truth Beneath The Rose, towards the end of the show. But perhaps the biggest compliment is to the vocal choir itself: At times, because it is a full choir, it has a very Gregorian feel to it, especially on the lower end of that sound. It makes me think that this concert is, as a whole overall, about questioning the right and wrong of what one might believe, testing it, but at the same time, not losing hope when you might think you did something wrong for the right reasons. And some songs, like The Truth Beneath The Rose, are about redemption, after finding out you were used. Other songs, like Angels, is about dealing with the idea of justice, when you see a wrong or evil perpetrated. And some songs, like Solemn Hour, or this one, Somewhere, is about holding on to hope, when it seems as if all hope is lost. But there is definitely a theme for this concert, and the band, itself -- and those working for the band -- did a tremendous job getting an orchestra and a choir onstage. Which is why this concert holds up after 15 years as an exemplary example of what a good concert should be. Even the mixing, not necessarily the best, or the recording, again, not necessarily the best, are still above average, and given everything else, are well done. And as a result, you get auditory gems like this that people still delight in, when they discover them for the first -- or 50th -- time.
You are correct Dr. Julia (Did you get that Ph.D yet? )......blonde Anneke was in that incredible trio that sang "Valley of the Queens". .. She's called the "Godmother" of symphonic metal......IMHO you have 2 of the top 5 symphonic metal vocalists here and the band is probably top 3........you can guess the others I'm sure. If you want to check out more Within Temptation, may I suggest :"Ice Queen" the live version with the full orchestra........welcome back.....and please do check out more Aryeon "The Day the World Breaks Down" IIRC Arjen asssembled 11 of the world's greatest singers on one song......that or the live version of "Eveyrbody Dies"......happiest song about the end of the world...lol......actually hope you got some well deserved rest during your time off.
@@AbsoRuud76 Tough choice.......Marcella Bovio.....perhaps Christine Scabbia.......I'm not a fan of growling but Tatiana has excellent clean vocals as well.
The music you hear in the beginning is actually not from the song, but something the uploader used as an intro here hehe. I'd love to make a couple of recommendations if you want to explore more from Sharon, if you don't mind. If you want to hear her classical voice, you need to go for The Promise, the one from this same concert (Black Symphony) would be perfect. It is also my favorite from Within Temptation, so dramatic and beautiful. If you want to hear more from her lower register, I recommend Don't Pray for Me, one of their more recent singles, where she kinda plays a duet with herself (first time I heard it I thought they were featuring a male vocalist, but it was Sharon all the time!). I don't think they have a live one with good quality on this one in particular just yet, so I will probably go for the studio version.
Sharon’s an amazing singer. She can belt it out as well. I would suggest listening to the song “the promise” from black symphony concert as well as from a concert circa 2018 to see the progression of her voice. She was fantastic then and is phenomenal now and her technique evolved. And for her belts, I’d suggest Sharon singing a cover of “just what I need tonight”
Some of the music videos of Within Temptation is some of the best music videos to watch. They really paint a story with the song like its part of a movie from start to end. So many favorites to chose from with their full song list they have done over the years. One of my favorites "Frozen", which oddly enough if you listen to the song and know the story of the movie Frozen by Disney really matches up in a deep and dark way in the first half of the movie or so. Like you could match up a music video made from the movie Frozen to this song and would not seem out of place. If you watch the music video of Frozen (WT), its a whole lot darker of a story that unfolds. "Faster" is another of my favorites and one of the oldest songs I have listened to of theirs which also has a music video but its more of the band and Sharon singing than the story type but its such a different shift than what you would be used to for Within Temptation. The song is energizing to listen to.
Within Temptation was my first real band crush as a young little guy. Even made a website for them back in my class about learning about the internet.. ( Yes I am that old, sadly ) Mother Earth is such an epic CD. Remember getting it, and playing it so much I had to get it again because the CD started to scratch. The title song of that CD, Mother Earth and Ice Queen is must hears of Within Temptation. That CD was what really put them on the map, and made them stand out. Classical rock/metal, with the voice of a angel about nature and magic. What a time. Also in terms of how Sharon sings. Well she is not a trained singer. And that is one of the things that made Within Temptation stand out. She is not following any rules. She sings things like she want to. It might be wrong in the sense of what is correct, and it might not really have a genre, but its her.
I know I’m late commenting but there’s a few great things to note about this performance and Sharon’s vocal technique in particular! 1) She was sick during this performance, which might have contributed to the lack of mass she was able to get for those lower notes, but also just in general in WT’s early years (this song is from their second album) she tended to stick higher. She has developed a pretty powerful and gorgeous lower register throughout the years, and some great songs to hear it on are The Purge (mostly in chest voice and a lot of belting), Faster (this is from their fourth album, an 80s rock concept album, and she’s talked about working to develop stronger and lower vocals to fit the sound they were moving towards), Let Us Burn (excellent example of the grit she’s able to put in her voice, great live performance from the Hydra concert), and The Reckoning (she even throws in some more classical sounding bits). 2) She’s a self-trained singer and really fascinating from a vocal perspective for sure! You mentioned that you find her sound really interesting, and I think it’s partly because of her variety musical inspiration-Olivia Newton John is her biggest idol, and she also really loved Nirvana and Enya growing up, and you can definitely hear those influences in her voice and WT’s music. It’s made her such a dynamic singer, who sounds equally at home on a heavy symphonic metal track as she does on the 2008 electronic dance track In and Out of Love or her indie pop solo project My Indigo.
Welcome back Julia!!! Let me tell you, as I wrote to you earlier (because I wrote), Anneke is a great singer (because she sounds even better in choirs), I recommend checking her achievements with THE GATHERING, and if not, I recommend solo performances or collaborations with: Devin Townsed, Ayreon , Amy Lee, etc.wonderful (unique) sense of melody on top of it all This is my opinion Julia try that: The Gathering - Strange Machines live Pinkpop Fest(1996) Remastered 😅
I love your reactions. Your personality is so great and your excitement is amazing. You should listen to "Frozen" by Within Temptation (no, not the Disney one lol). I'd love to see you react to Sharon's voice in that. It's gorgeous. You get to hear the different facets of her voice - her signature light tone but in a sorrowful way, then she belts. Really beautiful delivery as always by Sharon. You hear the desperation and sadness in her sound. Please, please, please do "Frozen" (the official video).
Oh Julia, you've found yourself a new rabbithole!! One thing I would like to point out is the fact that untill a few hours before the start of the concert it was very close to being moved to an other date due to the fact that Sharon herself had a bad cold days prior and was still not 100% fit that very day! There is an interview with her and her husband Robert (the guitarist sitting right behind Sharon, who is also the main together with Sharon) were they tell about that day and the fact it nearly was cancelled.
IIRC, Sharon has not had any formal training, or at least she hadn't when she started. I suppose it's possible she may have had some since then. She has done a duet with Tarja Turenen "Paradise". Within Temptation has a slightly more Pop sound than Nightwish or Epica, but they have there own niche and it works.
History Lesson:
Anneke van Giersbergen is in fact THE vocalist who essentially started this whole 'female voice in front of Metal' thing in the Netherlands with The Gathering and she is also the one who heavily influenced none other than Floor Jansen und Sharon den Adel to pursue the career that they have pursued. So it is fair to say she's the seed that turned into a whole frickin' beautiful forest.
I had the priviledge to hear her open for Floor when they toured Germany beginning of May 2023 and she is a phenomal vocalist in her own right.
Her playing 'Running up that hill' just with a guitar...holy smokes. That was something else from just like 5 metres away.
The opening by Anneke on Floors tour was marvelous. I got tears on Annekes „Valley of the Queens“… A dream would have come true, when they had duetted it. But who knows, maybe next tour…
a friend met her, 25 years ago, she's a very kind lady, she (and The Gathering) let him see the check up
Yes you have heard Anneke before on Valley of the Queens. Anneke is like a swiss army knife of singers, just amazing!
The one video of Anneke van Giersbergen I listen to often here on RUclips is "The Gathering - Travel (TG25: Live at Doornroosje - unofficial video)". Just put on a headset and drift into Anneke's Ode to Mozart.
Yupp, that is a great performance, a must listen to if you want to hear Anneke on her best
Time for a deeper dive into Anneke's work: Start with The Gathering's "Strange Machines" and take it from there
And yes, Anneke is a classically trained singer
This is a better example of Annekes vocals imho: ruclips.net/video/QGuzy-Kq4PM/видео.html
Oh, for dutch speakers a more obscure, but great vid: ruclips.net/video/3np-SPRbqAQ/видео.html
Please don't do Strange Machines. Rather pick a track from their later work performed during the TG25 concerts in 2014. Travel, Waking Hour or On Most Surfaces will all give a much better idea of Anneke's vocal capabilities, and all three of them together give a reasonably clear picture of the range of soundscapes they produced together.
@@grungegrumpy3585 Yeah, I agree. It seems a lot of fans tend to mention Strange Machines, probably because it was one of The Gathering's first popular songs and kind of kickstarted things for them. But all of the songs you mentioned from the TG25 concert are exactly what I would recommend, too.
Sharon, Anneke and Julia together? What have I done to deserve this?!
I was thinking exactly the same.
Whenever I see Julia, I wish a wife like Her. Sparkling, talented, smart and oh my gosh so beautiful. Her smile and personality is just incredible.
You had good taste in music 🤷
Surround yourself in beauty. It's joyful and healing.
You probably caused world peace and ended world hunger. Oh and before I forget you discovered the cure for cancer.
Anneke is one of the greatest singers alive IMO. Her work with Devin is next level. Note choice, control, power... yeah. She's incredible.
Anneke in "Gathering - Travel (TG25)" is my fav.
I love the work she's done with Devin
@@marcovtjev Best song/video ever!
, was looking for great examples of that coop. I've posted it elsewhere too, don't want to spam, but as you say note choice, control, power, emotion : All here: ruclips.net/video/QGuzy-Kq4PM/видео.html
Absolutely agree! Their collaboration on Addicted is gold, every single song on that album kicks ass imho.
More Anneke please. The Gathering, Ayreon, doesnt matter all is good.
Lets not forget about many years of collaboration with Devin Townsend
Don't forget Amorphis with Aneke ;)
i concur. also her band Vuur!
Also don't forget the collaborations with Marko
How 'bout the "Gentle Storm" .... still Arjen Lucassen work.
I watched an interview with Sharon awhile ago, and she used to practice singing for hours on her own every day. She's self taught, and hasn't had formal training in singing. That is part of why she has such a unique vocal technique.
I loved that about Sharon from the beginning. There are tiny differences in her voice compared to other singers who have vocal education. They (differences) have always stood out to me, and made Sharon’s voice very unique and charming to me.
That makes a lot of sense when listening to her voice over the years. On their first album Sharon sounded beautiful, but a bit one dimensional, limited. And as the years progress her versatility and strength has developed
Sharon had training later on...
Paradise with Tarja. Total girl power song. I love Within Temptation.
Sharon AND Anneke. What a treat. Looking forward to the reaction.
Every song from this concert, The Black Symphony, from Within Temptation and The Metropole Orchestra is a winner. Pick any one and you'll have a great song to react to, but of course they have years worth of songs and videos to choose from. Anneke is the same with years worth of videos to choose from but it you really want to hear Annie's vocals in different styles and genres then check her out from any of the songs she did on Beste Zangers a couple of years back. I never get tired of listening to either of these ladies and they both have several videos of them collaborating with other vocalist as well from Tarja, Floor Jansen, Devon Townsend, Amy Lee and a few others. Great, Great reaction as always, young lady. You are one of the best of the best and I always enjoy Watching and Listening to you and I usually learn a thing or two...and that's not always easy for a 70 year old man!
Agreed - The Black Symphony was my gateway to symphonic metal. I had been listening to Evanescence, and Within Temptation came up on a suggestion and took a chance on this album; now I listen to primary Symphonic Metal due to their introduction. Even after all these years and finding some bands I prefer a bit more, The Black Symphony still holds up as easily one of my favorite albums ever. I can still feel that first time listening in the car driving, and just thinking to myself... "WTF, this is epic. Where has this music been all my life???" Before Floorgams were a thing, hearing Sharon sing Jillian the first time had the same effect on me.
@@zealeus I first heard WT on a Pandora Evanescence station. I still love EV, but I love WT more.
Welcome back from your break. Nice to see you getting to hear Sharon and Within Temptation. Black Symphony Concert is a great choice. Live orchestra just adds so much to it. Sharon is mostly self taught. She and her partner, guitarist Robert Westerholt, formed the band in 1996. So they've been around as long as Nightwish.
Recommend Our Solemn Hour or their commercial breakthrough song Ice Queen, both from this same concert. You'll probably want to hear Paradise (What About Us) with Tarja as well, but that is from the 2014 Hydra album. Black Symphony was 2008.
Watching the smile spread across your entire face as Anneke joined in and created that beautify harmony with Sharon - that was this whole reaction in a nutshell.
So glad you discovered WT! My faves are "Memories" and "Angels". But really she never doesn't sound amazing! (She also did the vocals for "In & Out of Love" with Armin van Buuren which was fairly popular)
I really love the text you put over your videos. I don't know why more reaction channels don't do this. It's difficult to express every thought you might be having about a song in the moment. Supplementing what you express verbally with text gives your analysis a depth that a lot of other reaction channels don't have.
I'm sure you've heard that before. But if I ever start a reaction channel, I plan to do the same thing. I'll credit you with the idea.
Indeed. Well said!
Lovely to hear the captions are appreciated :)
@@jvoxfoxof course they are! Sometimes i stop the Video or go Back, to read it! 😊
Yes, the captions are very useful and appreciated.
@@jvoxfox Tell caption Julia we love her too! 😉
It never stops to amaze me that Sharon is entirely self taught. Anneke is that one singer that Floor Jansen herself had as her main motivation to become a frontwoman of a band herself,and that has made an entire live album with Devin Townsend. Have you heard Anneke sing Ih-Ah! together with Devin? If no,its the second track from theyr live album Retinal Circus and here is a really good version of that performance. People say that Anneke here sounds like several background singers,her voice is so angelic here: Devin Townsend Retinal Circus 02
As for this duet,it is one of the most synced duets i have ever heard. And i know its insanely difficult to start exactly at the same time,unless you read the other person really well. Obviously Anneke and Sharon just fits together perfectly. I also love that Anneke brings a different voice here,for the purpose of the song. I have heard her also sing more "bold and rock-ish" in her younger years especially,only 23 years old. Shes soo versatile,and watching her solo live shows,she is hysterical too. She answers the audience yelling all kinds of things to her.
I didnt think nothing could make me feel happy in this heat,but your smiles listening and watching theese 2 really did it for me.
I’ve been waiting for Sharon on here for so long! Her voice is incredible! You need to listen to more from her/Within temptation as her range is out of this world.
Their album ‘The unforgiving’ shows of her range so well!
@@TinaLeeM21 yeah best album!! Songs like Fire and Ice, Lost , Faster!
@@kgbcorvette Sinead IMO is easily the best song from The Unforgiving.
So good to see you back, Julia. You have been missed! ..and Anneke is the Queen!!!
So many gorgeous songs by within temptation and Sharon's voice is amazing. Worth listening to Sharon and Tarja on what about us as well as others
Two very unique voices. Sharon is self-taught and Anneke's voice is really special magical pixie dust for your ears
Sharon dueting with classical singers sounds amazing. The live version of Our Farewell is a ballad similar to Somewhere and the guest singer's voice makes a great contrast with Sharon's lightness. Another great example is Paradise live from Masters of Rock 2019, which is a very interesting version, since Sharon didn't know she was going to duet (Tarja just randomly appears on stage to celebrate Sharon's birthday) and she does change things a bit on her technique in order to sing with Tarja.
I LOVE that you finally found your “round tuit” supply and checked out WT and Sharon! Here with the added super-bonus of Anneke…
Your wonderment face pretty much said it all. Did you see the band members’ faces? They KNEW they were sitting right in the middle of magic.
There's so many things I needed to do and my brother got me a round tuit.
This brightens my rainy and windy day. Welcome back!! 🎉🎉
😅
This show (Black Symphony) is absolutely incredible. All the songs are good and well executed. But, my favorite, from that show, is The Solemn Hour. It takes advantage of all the aspect that show had to offer: the multimedia, the orchestra, the choir, the band itself, and the energy of the crowd.
Solemn Hour is a good choice. Forgiven is my fave.
Two Dutch POWERHOUSES, Sharon and Anneke 🥰!!!!
To hear this song on a Sunday night before the work week is so relaxing......
Special Reaction!!! Thank you Julia !!!!
Had to laugh when you said Sharon is intriguing to your ears. That’s how she hooks us all I feel. So unique sounding but beautiful to listen to.
2 amazing Dutch Queens!!!
Thank you for an introduction to another amazing band. What a beautiful song.
Great to see you back, you've been missed
Amazing, gorgeous song. I've loved it since I first heard it. I think my favorite aspect is that they keep switching up who gets the high harmony.
I hope you check out more WT! Sharon is an awesome singer, and this Black Symphony concerts is one of the best I've ever seen. She is so versatile because of being mainly self-taught from a young age.
To get some more of her versatility, "The Howling" or "The Promise" from this concert are great to check out.
New album out on octiber 20!
"Memories" or "Angels".... so much to enjoy! Something in the water in the Netherlands? "Shot In The Dark", "Faster", "Candles" (live at Java Eilandt) or, to go way back, "Running Up That Hill"!!! Sharon spent some time, when younger, in Indonesia and she uses a lot of Indonesian style hand movements/dance - more notable in other performances! Anything from "Black Symphony" or "Hydra and Elements"!!! Live is always spectacular and as good as the studio versions if not better.
Stunning vocals and excellent song.
Great to have you back, and congratulations on the 300K subs!
I'm very surprised that you're just checking them out now, having checked out Nightwish and Epica in the past. To me vocal wise, Sharon is up there with Floor and Simone (in my eyes) her talent, the band's talent is breathtaking to say the least. I hope you keep the journey alive and enjoy them.🌹
To me Sharon is the best of all of them.
Oh, great! You picked an amazing song to start with Within Temptation, especially with this particular duet by Sharon and Anneke. Thanks for this reaction and your elaborate and very informative analysis.
While WT have a few ballads in their song list, their typical sound is heavier and way fuller in composition. For comparison check out from the Black Symphony live album: "Mother Earth" (a fixture in every WT setlist to this day), "The Promise", or "The Truth Beneath The Rose" (the latter two being prototypical symphonic metal). Over the years WT have adopted a more industrial or alternative metal sound, sometimes even pop rock and EDM. For instance, check out "Shot In The Dark" which is a perfectly composed pop rock song with over 50 million views on RUclips. WT also have done a cover album (Q-music sessions), with covers of popular songs such as "Titanium" (David Guetta), "Radioactive" (Imagine Dragons) and "Summertime Sadness" (Lana del Rey). The latter is oftenly played as encore in their concerts.
Thanks for reacting to this. I was introduced to Symphonic Metal with Within Temptation and so they are my favourite. I enjoyed your analysis of Sharon's singing. I have always found it very distinctive which I put down to her being self taught. I look forward to more reactions and analysis of their work.
Thank you beautiful Julia for reacting to this beautiful song by these two beautiful ladies 🥰
Ah such great fun! Thanks for sharing this and exposing me to new-to-me artists once again. I learn so much from your videos.
This duet is over 12 years ago. I still get goosebumps and tears at the same time.
To me Anneke van Giersbergen is the giant on whose shoulders Sharon den Adel and Floor Janssen stand.
I saw the Gathering when they just started touring Mandylion, and Anneke had just started singing with them. The light show consisted of floodlights turned straight into the public lots of white smoke. When the lights were on you couldn't see anything, you were alone in an endless white space. It was a wall of sound, vocals, light and smoke.
They played the entire album and it lasted simultaneously a few seconds and a million years, I think I died and got reborn at least a 1000 times.
I stood stock still, 2 meters tall, in the middle of where the pit would have been and I don't think I saw the band even once because of the smoke and light.
Hey! Welcome back! 🎉
Anneke would well be worth a deep-dive: Leaves, In Motion #2, Shrink, Travel, You'll learn about it, Amity,... All by her former band The Gathering. And then there's her work in Ayreon, and Gentle Storm, Vuur, her solo-stuff, her appearances with Amorphis and Devin Townsend....
She's just ultra-versatile! 🥰
Vuur has some great songs for sure such as the Martyr and the Saint &
Never heard or seen anyone breaking the duet so technically and intelligently like you, Juls (not to mention as eloquently beautiful).
For that, you've earned a sub.
More Within Temptation please!!!! Anything from The Black Symphony is great!!!
For me Anneke owned this. I just felt she was so much stronger in everyway possible. Sharon is fantastic dont get me wrong ,and from what I hear, she never had lessons. But I think I hear the difference.
YUSH! Finally, Within Temptation! I discovered them like 11-12 years ago on Pandora on a Phantom of the Opera playlist! Such an amazing and versatile band! And Anneke, OMG, so good! Her vocals perfectly compliment Sharon's here and I always find such comfort in her vocal solo work! Good on you, Julia for introducing more people to two incredible musical jewels.
There´s a reason why this is called "The most beautiful duett"^^ love that you enjoyed it too =)
Oooh Anneke on your channel again! ❤ If you would like to see/hear more of her, The Gathering - Travel, TG25 In Doornroosje (Cinderella), The Netherlands. 😊
Another great reaction and analysis, Julia!
Yes, Sharon's voice is amazing, and this song shows it off so well. And your joy when Anneke joined in was nectar for the soul.
Thanks for a great reaction. WT is a great band with lots of good songs, keep going or you'll miss out. Oh, and I really love your accent! 😍
great video as always, glad to have Julia reactions back
I've always loved how they sort of spiral around each other note wise in this song
Hi Julia, as an Australian you've never reacted to one of the greatest vocalist of your country: Mike Mills. He also worked with Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon). He had an impressive live performance (over 5 octaves!) with Ayreon- everybody dies.
I concur, but where did you hear 5 octaves? He has 4 (C2-C6). Really quite impressive for a baritone.
+1 for Mike Mills/Toehider indeed, a must-listen to as an Aussie.
Both of these artists are massive, local heroes in their home country of the Netherlands, and the WT concert is with the national orchestra in this major city. When Anneke pops out to join the duet, it is analogous to being at a Taylor Swift Concert and having Rianna drop by for a duet. Julia, I hope you delve more into the very widespread "women fronted rock" genre in Europe. You've met Nightwish, but there are dozens of these and WT is among if not the best of them. WT's breakout tune is "Ice Queen"
"Will she/won't she?" Semi-recognizing Anneke.. but still not sure. Further on, "surely it's her, right?" and then finally the great resolution at 15:25 "Ih-Ah! It's Anneke!!!". Great stuff! Notice btw, how they flip vocal lines several times (as is also the case in "Valley Of The Queens" with Floor). So when they sing "I'll keep on trying" at 2:56 Anneke takes 1st and Sharon 2nd voice. They do the same with "whatever has happened" at 3:13 where it's also clear from the video that Anneke switches tt "soprano" part. Cheers from Amsterdam! 🤘
I came across the black symphony concert on RUclips around 2010ish and was blown away - been to every Within Temptation album concert in the UK since. With the last being the dual headline with Evernesance last year.
Great reaction! Welcome back! You've been missed
Always nice to hear them together, been fortunate to witness their duet live and photograph it even (not this setting, something smaller) but was amazing. Sharon did several great duets as did Anneke. 2 lovely and very talented ladies!
It's great to have you back!! You look great!!! 😊😊😊
God their voices compliment each othee so perfectly
Another great live song and performance by Within Temptation is "The Promise". And another great live song by The Gathering (Anneke van Giersbergen) is "Travel" from TG25 (unofficial live video).
The Promise is great for a reaction!
I attended a WT concert lately and it was AMAZING, not kidding❤❤❤ oh and congrats on 300K🥳🥳🥳
Welcome back, Julia! We’ve missed you!
Within Temptation were one of my favorite bands in the 2000’s. They’re still around, if not releasing as much music. A single here and there.
The Black Symphony concert has one little flaw: Sharon had a cold, and her voice is not at 100%. Such a pity. But this performance was my first time seeing Anneke.
Albums 2011 2013 2014 2019 and 2023 so still releasing lots of music
@@fredriknilsson6042 one album since 2014 is a slowdown. I'd love a new album this year, but I don't see anything official about one.
Thank you Julia. Welcome back.
Anneke has had many looks over the years and appeared with many of my favourite bands. A proper legend and very generous with her talents. Have a Google! I just hope she brings the tour she’s doing with herself and Marco Hietala somewhere nearby!
Anneke's energy in live shows is unparalleled!
I'm only a few minutes in, but the fact that THIS song is your introduction is wild. I'm sorry you started at such a high point - I love this band, and these two singers, I just wish you could have been introduced a bit more slowly to them (maybe Ice Queen first, or Angels, followed by Strange Machines, or In Motion #1.) and then crescendo with this masterpiece.
Welcome back from your break, I hope it was a good one. Within Temptation and Sharon are very much a band I'd like to see more reactions on, Sharon has a fantastic voice (especially live) and can sing in pretty much whatever style she wants. If you're looking for suggestions on Within Temptation songs to react to, I'll just name a few of my favorites: The Howling, Ice Queen, The Reckoning, Paradise (which features Tarja), and Angels.
I'll also say more Anneke would be welcome as well. While most people are going to suggest her performances with The Gathering and Ayreon, I'll suggest Anneke's progressive metal band Vuur just to be different.
Sabaton's "Soldier of Heaven" is absolutely a worth listening to. Right up there with "Christmas Truce"
You need to see the whole concert. It's as Epic as Nightwish's 2013 Wacken concert
Absolutely brilliant, nice to have you back.
One of the best duet in symphonic metal. Combination of the two best vocalists in their own rights. Don't forget the orchestra that wraps up everything together. Now, can you please do a reaction on Annette and Tarja in their duet "What About Us"?
Great reaction! Yes, you heard Anneke on the Valley of the Queens. She was the blond who you compared to Kristen Chenoweth (Another reactor made the same comparison on that video as well. Commented that you did it first!) . This is one of my favorite songs. So beautiful and moving. Really enjoyed your in depth analysis. Lot's of great Within Temptation songs but one of my favorites is Ice Queen. Lots of great live versions but my favorite is the original music video. You get to see her lovely hand dancing that she does that is inspired by Balinese dancers she saw while living in Indonesia as a child (her father was a diplomat). She also has a degree in fashion and designs her stage outfits.
Julia, Angels same concert seriously you have to. It's visually beautiful.
I listen to The Black Symphony when I'm on long trips and love that concert.
Yeah, Within Temptation! Been hoping you'd react to them! More please 😁
They've done so many great songs, it's hard to choose, but for some variety I especially recommend:
Where is the Edge, In the Middle of the Night, Memories, All I Need, Iron, Stand my Ground, Forsaken, Angels,
Shot in the Dark, Ice Queen, The Heart of Everything, The Howling.
As for 'duets', The Reckoning ft. Jacoby Shaddix, and of course - Paradise (What About Us) ft. Tarja. are amazing...
It's amazing to see you back again! Keep it up Julez! 🤘💪😊
I’ve been waiting for within temptation. So excited
As for Anneke’s range, try Wuthering Heights from her recent Kate Bush tribute tour and then have a look at her work with Devin Townsend, such as Grace or Hyperdrive. And that’s before you get to all her solo work and what she did in The Gathering. Lovely deep rabbit hole for you to explore :)
Anneke la voz mas increíble, dulce y etérea del mundo la amo hace poco pude disfrutarla a unos metros em el escenario mientras ella y una guitarra asi sencilla y sonriente me hacia llorar de la emoción ❤
Sharon & Anneke are both amazing! What a great pick! I would love to see more Within Temptation on the channel. I saw them with Maiden a handful of times & really got into their live show.
My take is this: Within Temptation is the band that got me into symphonic metal originally -- and this concert in 2008 is still one of my favorites (has it honest to God been 15 years already!? 🤯). Everything -- from the beginning purely symphonic, orchrstral piece that is the symphony and choir, to the setlist, the pyros -- this concert has everything. It disappoints not in the least. And, it also has one of my favorite songs in a bit of a remix: The Truth Beneath The Rose, towards the end of the show. But perhaps the biggest compliment is to the vocal choir itself: At times, because it is a full choir, it has a very Gregorian feel to it, especially on the lower end of that sound. It makes me think that this concert is, as a whole overall, about questioning the right and wrong of what one might believe, testing it, but at the same time, not losing hope when you might think you did something wrong for the right reasons. And some songs, like The Truth Beneath The Rose, are about redemption, after finding out you were used. Other songs, like Angels, is about dealing with the idea of justice, when you see a wrong or evil perpetrated. And some songs, like Solemn Hour, or this one, Somewhere, is about holding on to hope, when it seems as if all hope is lost. But there is definitely a theme for this concert, and the band, itself -- and those working for the band -- did a tremendous job getting an orchestra and a choir onstage.
Which is why this concert holds up after 15 years as an exemplary example of what a good concert should be. Even the mixing, not necessarily the best, or the recording, again, not necessarily the best, are still above average, and given everything else, are well done.
And as a result, you get auditory gems like this that people still delight in, when they discover them for the first -- or 50th -- time.
Thank you sooooo much!!!! I was requesting this so often and finally!!!!
So happy you got to this one 😊
You are correct Dr. Julia (Did you get that Ph.D yet? )......blonde Anneke was in that incredible trio that sang "Valley of the Queens". .. She's called the "Godmother" of symphonic metal......IMHO you have 2 of the top 5 symphonic metal vocalists here and the band is probably top 3........you can guess the others I'm sure. If you want to check out more Within Temptation, may I suggest :"Ice Queen" the live version with the full orchestra........welcome back.....and please do check out more Aryeon "The Day the World Breaks Down" IIRC Arjen asssembled 11 of the world's greatest singers on one song......that or the live version of "Eveyrbody Dies"......happiest song about the end of the world...lol......actually hope you got some well deserved rest during your time off.
Anneke, Simone, Floor, Sharon and?
@@AbsoRuud76 Tough choice.......Marcella Bovio.....perhaps Christine Scabbia.......I'm not a fan of growling but Tatiana has excellent clean vocals as well.
Great reaction to one of my favourite songs Julia, so informative. more WT please.
I was not ready for that mallet to the feels this early in the morning.
The music you hear in the beginning is actually not from the song, but something the uploader used as an intro here hehe. I'd love to make a couple of recommendations if you want to explore more from Sharon, if you don't mind. If you want to hear her classical voice, you need to go for The Promise, the one from this same concert (Black Symphony) would be perfect. It is also my favorite from Within Temptation, so dramatic and beautiful. If you want to hear more from her lower register, I recommend Don't Pray for Me, one of their more recent singles, where she kinda plays a duet with herself (first time I heard it I thought they were featuring a male vocalist, but it was Sharon all the time!). I don't think they have a live one with good quality on this one in particular just yet, so I will probably go for the studio version.
I think the intro music is from the dvd song menu, if I remember correctly :) Still have the dvd somewhere, but no dvd-player currently to check it :D
Welcome back! Love your reactions!
thank you for this Julia .. really enjoying it ..
Sharon’s an amazing singer. She can belt it out as well. I would suggest listening to the song “the promise” from black symphony concert as well as from a concert circa 2018 to see the progression of her voice. She was fantastic then and is phenomenal now and her technique evolved. And for her belts, I’d suggest Sharon singing a cover of “just what I need tonight”
Good to see you back Julia....
Julia, great to see you back again... missed you.
Some of the music videos of Within Temptation is some of the best music videos to watch. They really paint a story with the song like its part of a movie from start to end. So many favorites to chose from with their full song list they have done over the years.
One of my favorites "Frozen", which oddly enough if you listen to the song and know the story of the movie Frozen by Disney really matches up in a deep and dark way in the first half of the movie or so. Like you could match up a music video made from the movie Frozen to this song and would not seem out of place. If you watch the music video of Frozen (WT), its a whole lot darker of a story that unfolds.
"Faster" is another of my favorites and one of the oldest songs I have listened to of theirs which also has a music video but its more of the band and Sharon singing than the story type but its such a different shift than what you would be used to for Within Temptation. The song is energizing to listen to.
Within Temptation was my first real band crush as a young little guy.
Even made a website for them back in my class about learning about the internet.. ( Yes I am that old, sadly )
Mother Earth is such an epic CD. Remember getting it, and playing it so much I had to get it again because the CD started to scratch.
The title song of that CD, Mother Earth and Ice Queen is must hears of Within Temptation. That CD was what really put them on the map, and made them stand out. Classical rock/metal, with the voice of a angel about nature and magic. What a time.
Also in terms of how Sharon sings. Well she is not a trained singer. And that is one of the things that made Within Temptation stand out. She is not following any rules. She sings things like she want to. It might be wrong in the sense of what is correct, and it might not really have a genre, but its her.
Julia! Welcome back. Another excellent reaction, kiddo!
I know I’m late commenting but there’s a few great things to note about this performance and Sharon’s vocal technique in particular!
1) She was sick during this performance, which might have contributed to the lack of mass she was able to get for those lower notes, but also just in general in WT’s early years (this song is from their second album) she tended to stick higher. She has developed a pretty powerful and gorgeous lower register throughout the years, and some great songs to hear it on are The Purge (mostly in chest voice and a lot of belting), Faster (this is from their fourth album, an 80s rock concept album, and she’s talked about working to develop stronger and lower vocals to fit the sound they were moving towards), Let Us Burn (excellent example of the grit she’s able to put in her voice, great live performance from the Hydra concert), and The Reckoning (she even throws in some more classical sounding bits).
2) She’s a self-trained singer and really fascinating from a vocal perspective for sure! You mentioned that you find her sound really interesting, and I think it’s partly because of her variety musical inspiration-Olivia Newton John is her biggest idol, and she also really loved Nirvana and Enya growing up, and you can definitely hear those influences in her voice and WT’s music. It’s made her such a dynamic singer, who sounds equally at home on a heavy symphonic metal track as she does on the 2008 electronic dance track In and Out of Love or her indie pop solo project My Indigo.
As usual, this was a fun reaction to see. Luv ya!
Welcome back Julia!!!
Let me tell you, as I wrote to you earlier (because I wrote), Anneke is a great singer (because she sounds even better in choirs), I recommend checking her achievements with THE GATHERING, and if not, I recommend solo performances or collaborations with: Devin Townsed, Ayreon , Amy Lee, etc.wonderful (unique) sense of melody on top of it all
This is my opinion Julia
try that: The Gathering - Strange Machines live Pinkpop Fest(1996) Remastered
😅
I love your reactions. Your personality is so great and your excitement is amazing. You should listen to "Frozen" by Within Temptation (no, not the Disney one lol). I'd love to see you react to Sharon's voice in that. It's gorgeous. You get to hear the different facets of her voice - her signature light tone but in a sorrowful way, then she belts. Really beautiful delivery as always by Sharon. You hear the desperation and sadness in her sound. Please, please, please do "Frozen" (the official video).
Oh Julia, you've found yourself a new rabbithole!! One thing I would like to point out is the fact that untill a few hours before the start of the concert it was very close to being moved to an other date due to the fact that Sharon herself had a bad cold days prior and was still not 100% fit that very day! There is an interview with her and her husband Robert (the guitarist sitting right behind Sharon, who is also the main together with Sharon) were they tell about that day and the fact it nearly was cancelled.
IIRC, Sharon has not had any formal training, or at least she hadn't when she started. I suppose it's possible she may have had some since then. She has done a duet with Tarja Turenen "Paradise". Within Temptation has a slightly more Pop sound than Nightwish or Epica, but they have there own niche and it works.