Recorded during their November 2008 theater tour, An Acoustic Night At The Theatre includes 11 live songs and the previously unreleased studio track “Utopia.” Five of the songs are from 2006's The Heart Of Everything, including “What Have You Done” featuring Life Of Agony's Keith Caputo.
Of course the songs sound a bit different acoustically, but they also take on a different emotional vibe. Without the bombastic elements and metal guitars, they seem more vulnerable and introspective. There's still ample atmosphere, with piano and strings providing accompaniment. It's also the perfect showcase for Sharon den Adel's voice.
She is a versatile and skilled singer who is equally adept at singing powerfully with a full orchestra and choir as she is at singing quietly and emotionally with just a piano. Anneke van Giersbergen makes a guest appearance on “Somewhere,” and their interplay and harmonies are outstanding. An Acoustic Night At The Theatre is very well done and aimed at the band's core fans as they anxiously await Within Temptation's next studio album in 2010.
(released December 15, 2009 on Roadrunner Records)
