Hydra

Personnel: Sharon den Adel (vocals); Robert Westerholt, Ruud Jolie, Stefan Helleblad (guitar); Frank VanEssen (violin, viola); Jonas Pap (cello); Martijn Spierenburg (keyboards); Jeroen van Veen (bass guitar); Mike Coolen (drums); Daniel Gibson (programming).
Audio Mixer: Stefan Glaumann.
Recording information: Crumbling Wall Studios; Graveland Studio; MCA Studio 4 Hilversum; Studio 6 D.C.
Editors: Arno Krabman; Stefan Helleblad.
Illustrator: Romano Molenaar.
Photographers: Paul Harries; Arjan Kremer; Andrea Swensson.
The sixth studio long-player from Netherlands-based symphonic rock outfit Within Temptation picks right up where 2011's generally well-received conceptual outing Unforgiving left off, expanding on the group's penchant for stylistic elasticity while maintaining a foundation of solid songwriting and engaging narrative. The appropriately named Hydra (the multi-headed monster of myth reflects the group's ability to juggle multiple musical genres) includes guest appearances from Killswitch Engage vocalist Howard Jones, rapper Xzibit, ex-Nightwish vocalist Tarja Turunen, and Soul Asylum vocalist Dave Pirner, and features the singles "Paradise (What About Us?)" and "Dangerous." ~ James Christopher Monger