To be perfectly frank this one should probably get the big ten out of ten, it’s that good and laden with goodies but maybe there could have been nine hours of material instead of eight. On this fabulous package Within Temptation are joined by the Metropole Orchestra, Anneke van Giersbergen and Keith Caputo in a sumptuous celebration of all that is so very good about the band. 

Whilst employing an orchestra isn’t exactly a new idea, Metallica, Deep Purple, Scorpions and even KISS spring to mind as already jumping on that particular bandwagon, the scope of Within Temptation’s already overblown, melodramatic sound is genuinely enhanced by having the classical musicians along for the ride. The main concert on DVD1 is almost perfect; cherry-picking all the band’s best moments but with a vibrant stage show, including that old favourite stilt walkers, filmed at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Stadium. The opening to the Promise is so exciting that when I listened to the CD version I nearly creamed myself and Sharon den Adel’s is utterly angelic on all tracks but especially this one. I really can’t recommend it enough. 

DVD2 features the band live in Eindhoven in 2007 and features a somewhat less spectacular production  but is still worth a watch. The two compact discs featuring the Ahoy concert are magnificent and well worth getting your mitts on even though it isn’t that long since the band released The Silent Force CD/DVD. Both DVD’s are festooned with extras such as the promos for What Have You Done, Frozen, The Howling and All I Need – the last three also including making of documentaries as well. All in all the full two DVD/ two CD set is one hundred per cent essential for any self-respecting fan of Within Temptation.