Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic metal band formed in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Known for their atmospheric and melodic sound, the group blends symphonic and gothic metal with a variety of other influences, evolving their style with each album. They first gained major attention with the single Ice Queen from their 2000 album Mother Earth, which established them in the Dutch and international music scenes. The band followed up with several successful albums, including The Silent Force and The Heart of Everything, both debuting at number one in the Netherlands and expanding their global audience. Within Temptation is recognized for their musical versatility and willingness to explore new genres, as seen in albums like The Unforgiving, Hydra, and Resist, which incorporated elements ranging from rock and metalcore to electronic and industrial music. Notable collaborations include work with artists such as Tarja Turunen, Howard Jones, Dave Pirner, and Xzibit. Their latest album, Bleed Out, released in October 2023, continues their legacy of experimenting with different styles, incorporating influences from djent and metalcore while retaining gothic elements. By 2016, Within Temptation had sold over 3.5 million albums worldwide.