Since forming in 1996, Holland’s Within Temptation, led by the charismatic and gorgeous vocalist Sharon den Adel, has become one of metal’s most successful female-fronted acts. The band started garnering widespread acclaim with the 2000 album Mother Earth and built a strong following that allowed them to play some of the biggest festivals in Europe. The Silent Force, released in 2004, is their most successful album to date, combining their style of folk and symphonic rock with a somewhat updated, modern sound.

Within Temptation’s new release, The Heart of Everything, has already been released throughout Europe to great success through the videos/singles ?What Have you Done,? featuring guest vocals by Life of Agony’s Keith Caputo, and the mesmerizing power ballad ?Frozen.? Further building on the strengths of The Silent Force, The Heart of Everything adds darker, heavier guitar riffs to the band’s epic, cinematic style and features den Adel’s most diversified and captivating performance to date. In 2007, the band was selected for the ?Hottest Chicks in Metal? tour, along with In This Moment and Stolen Babies, supporting Lacuna Coil. It is the band’s first ever U.S. tour.

Jason Price and Jeff Maki of Live-Metal.net had the privilege to talk to Sharon aboard the band’s tour bus during their stop at Jaxx in Springfield, Va. She is just as ?if not more? beautiful in person and one of the nicest artists we’ve had the chance to interview. Sharon talks about the Hottest Chicks in Metal Tour, The Heart of Everything and a new beginning for Within Temptation.