There are actually some people who prefer After Forever to Within Temptation, however, chances are if you like After Forever you also like Within Temptation. Why? Because they have so much in common, that's why.

What do they have in common? Well, for starters they each have one of the best lady singers in the Galaxy. After Forever's fabulous singer is Floor Jansen and W.T. has the incomparable Sharon den Adel. Both bands are Dutch and they both play similar music, Melodious, Symphonic Metal. They are each acquainted and each band has had band members guest on one of Arjen Lucassen's grand productions. In turn he has guested on one or more of their songs.

This type of musical symbiosis is not uncommon in Northern Europe and Scandinavia and seems to contribute to the great music that emerges from the area.

The only difference between A.F. and W.T. is that for their sophomore release W.T. dropped the growling male vox and After Forever only reduced theirs. Decipher is their second album and a third, Excordium, is due out shortly. Decipher has been a very good seller and has spawned several singles. This review is based upon the special Swedish Limited Edition CD which includes two bonus tracks.

Song/Track List
1. Ex Cathedra: Ouverture - 2:02 4 stars
2. Monolith of Doubt - 3:32 5 stars
3. My Pledge of Allegiance No.1: The Sealed Fate - 6:24 5 stars
4. Emphasis - 4:20 4 stars
5. Intrinsic - 6:44 4 1/2 stars
6. Zenith - 4:21 4 stars
7. Estranged: A Timeless Spell - 6:56 5 stars
8. Imperfect Tenses - 4:07 3 stars
9. My Pledge of Allegiance No. 2: The Tempted - 5:07 4 stars
10. The Key - 4:48 5 stars,
11. Forlorn Hope - 6:25 5 stars
12. My Pledge of Allegiance No. 1 [*] - 6:28
13. Forlorn Hope [*] - 6:22
[*] live versions

"Ex Cathedra: Ouverture", is just what the name implies, an interesting instrumental symphonic, Overture.

"Monolith of Doubt", We get to the best song fast, a furious medium fast but varied tempo tour de force, with violins, choirs, Floor's magnificent voice, heavy double bass drums and ... the works.

"My Pledge of Allegiance No.1: The Sealed Fate", a definite Eastern slant on this number. Starts out with a sitar and the refrain carries the theme through. We do have a few raspy growls but not the detriment of the music, and of course we have Floor, who simply outdoes herself.

"Emphasis", A good song, actually released as a single but not up to the previous two pieces. A medium fast number with Floor and some background singing and some double tracking of Floor.

"Intrinsic", is the counterpart to the heavier numbers of before, a calm, emotional beginning with acoustic guitars, oboe, the strings and after that some suiting e-guitars, the pace picks up to finish powerfully, with some glorious violin work and more.

"Zenith", Starting with a raspy vocal augmented and somewhat neutralized by accompanied violins, this is a powerful, intriguing piece with ups and downs and multiple tempos and moods.

"Estranged: A Timeless Spell", another brilliant song, with lots of feeling and change of pace and again a few raspy growls but not much. This is a long song which feels like a musical saga.

"Imperfect Tenses", is the requisite male/female ballad, pretty but nothing special.

"My Pledge of Allegiance No. 2: The Tempted", a continuation of No. 1 sans the Eastern flavor.

"The Key", as with Ex Cathedra The Key opens with a cello which continues for a little as Floor starts singing. This is another song I like a lot with a catchy beat, lots of variety and a grand closing. I especially like the excellent keyboards. By the way, I like the growls in this song.

"Forlorn Hope", another five star song which again excels in the great alternation between heaviness and speed on the one side and atmosphere and emotions on the other.

Conclusion

I have mixed emotions regarding After Forever. One cannot deny the goddess like voice of Floor Jansen or the tight musicianship, excellent compositions and arrangements. This is a band that is growing every day. Some songs were wonderful, perhaps superlative but others were less impressive. Although I like many of the songs on Decipher, a lot, I feel there are other similar recordings I like better as a whole.

On a sidenote, founding member Mark Jansen has left the band due to artistic differences and has formed his another band, known as Epica. I will be posting a review on their debut, Phantom Agony, shortly.

Here is a link to the newly posted Epica review:
http://www.epinions.com/content_132956982916

This of course is the same thing that happened to Tristania when Morten Veland left and formed Sirenia.
All I can say is good show, the more new bands playing this fantastic style of music the better.

Similar Bands

Within Temptation, Penumbra, Epica, The Sins of Thy Beloved, Tristania, Nightwish, Dreams of Sanity, Artrosis, Edenbridge, Sirenia, Odes to Ecstasy, Pettalom, Delight, Moonlight, Darzamat, Orchrist

Recommended: Yes