In its second edition in Brazil, Summer Breeze concluded its second day this Saturday, the 27th. Featuring bands like Lacuna Coil , Angra , and HammerFall in its lineup, the festival began a day earlier, on Friday the 25th.
Wikimetal will be present throughout the festival, with coverage of the Friday and Saturday shows already published .
To close out the Hot Stage activities, Within Temptation took to the stage and began their show with "The Reckoning," from their 2019 album Resist , an explosive track that was very well received by the audience. It was possible to notice, in the higher notes, that the voice of vocalist Sharon den Adel —who was wearing an outfit with the Brazilian flag in the form of a blouse and skirt—was close to faltering.
“Faster”, from The Unforgiving (2011), had the audience singing along with the vocalist, this track sounding more comfortable in her voice, especially in the short section where her voice is a cappella.
In 2023, the band released the excellent Bleed Out , and it was precisely the title track that followed. The song is one of the best on the new record, but it features several other high-quality tracks, placing it among some of Within Temptation's best releases.
The introduction of "Paradise (What About Us?)", a collaboration with Tarja Turunen , was enough for the Summer Breeze audience to recognize the track. Featuring heavy guitar riffs, the drums were also powerful and prominent, making the song iconic.
She was very well received by the audience, who, once again, sang along to the song, including its highest notes.
With a beautiful introduction, the vocalist had fans' cell phones raised during "Angels" from The Silent Force (2004). It wasn't just the beginning of the song that moved the audience, but the entire track. Adding to this, the stage featured background images and lighting that created a grand—and angelic—ambience.
In a speech about Ukraine, Adel picked up the country's flag for the performance of "Blood for Freedom," in a powerful and intense performance, coupled with frenetic lights that further enhanced the song's power.
Returning to Bleed Out , another highlight of the album was included in the band's setlist. "Wireless" features prominent bass lines, performed by Jeroen van Veen in a sonic explosion, which, along with Mike Coolen , creates a powerful impact on the listener.
“Entertain You” maintains the same power and energy that the Within Temptation show had. The song from the band's most recent album is a good addition to the setlist, which has a somewhat different feel, being more danceable than the previous ones.
“Stand My Ground” was well received by the audience and preceded “Supernova,” which features a short and simple chorus, making it so catchy. The guitar riff that drives the track is phenomenal, and there are subtle elements that give the impression of something we see in alien and space movies.
Once again, the bass duo Veen and Coolen leave nothing to be desired and make the bodies of those present tremble.
From the series "choruses that make you want to scream at the top of your lungs," comes "In The Middle Of The Night," bringing yet another well-composed guitar riff.
After someone became ill, the vocalist did not start the next song, asking for help and for the audience to wait until she was assisted and out of the crowd.
The beautiful and moving ballad "All I Need," from the album The Heart Of Everything , filled the audience with a feeling of love. The power ballad is emotional, but what's most beautiful about it is Adel's voice. All the elements that make up the song make it special.
With the lights coming from behind the stage, it was a good choice in a setlist that was already fast-paced.
Returning to the fast-paced songs, "Our Solemn Hour," from the same album as the previous one, followed Within Temptation's performance at Summer Breeze Brasil 2024.
After a beautiful speech about religious freedom, the band played "Don't Pray For Me" in a spectacular light show, accompanied by classic handclaps, and another high-level performance from the group, with special mention to the vocalist and drummer.
Another power ballad that made an appearance on Within Temptation's setlist was "The Cross," which alternates between calmer, softer sections and exciting, powerful parts.
“Mad World” followed the show, featuring a remarkable performance from Veen. It’s always a good thing and should be greatly appreciated when it’s possible to hear the bass clearly and loudly.
Anyone who thinks "What Have You Done" will be a calm and tranquil ballad is mistaken. After the introduction, the song becomes fast and loud, evoking positive reactions from the audience, who sang along. The smoke released violently also contributes to the song's greater power.
Now for some lighter music. The acoustic version of "Never Ending Story," from the album Mother Earth (2000), had the audience raising their cell phones.
To end in grand style, with fans waving their arms in the air, “Mother Earth,” from the same album, delivered a performance that captivated the audience in the best possible way.
Within Temptation made their performance at Summer Breeze Brazil a memorable one, bringing songs from various albums by the band.
The setlist choice was well-made precisely for that reason. Some people don't like it when bands play their newest songs on tour because it "takes up space" from some of their older ones, but the audience didn't seem to mind the inclusion of the newer tracks.
They are more than welcome, solidifying the record as one of the best albums in their discography. Their show is fast-paced and powerful, with few ballads, but those are essential within their live performances.
Our contributor Leca Suzuki captured the shows with exclusive photos that you can see in the gallery below.
