In interviews prior to The Unforgiving, the band members of Within Temptation already announced the change of course. The music is said to be more direct, partly inspired by the music they grew up with in the 1980s. The CD, together with a comic and several short films, forms a total story. The Unforgiving, on CD alone, is an overwhelming piece of work. More than ever, Within Temptation's qualities
… as songwriters come to the surface. Within Temptation still puts their music in the spotlight, but The Unforgiving mainly contains rounded rock songs. Sometimes Sharon den Adel suddenly sounds like Kim Wilde's rocking sister. That is certainly not a disqualification, just listen to Faster, one of the best songs on this album. With The Unforgiving Within Temptation shifts course, but it appears to be a course that only seems to perpetuate the group's international success. (PdK)more