WITHIN TEMPTATION collaborates with Ukrainian 'Eurovision' contestant JERRY HEIL on new single 'Sing Like A Siren'
16-05-2025
Dutch symphonic rockers WITHIN TEMPTATION have collaborated with Ukrainian artist and Eurovision contestant Jerry Heil on the powerful new single “Sing Like A Siren”, out across all music services now.
Stream “Sing Like A Siren” below.
The song reflects both struggle and determination, capturing the feeling of powerlessness as well as the need to stand up against it. The song also carries a message of guidance: being a siren to call those who are lost back home.
“Sing Like A Siren” is both epic and cinematic, carrying an emotional weight that mirrors real-life struggles. Heil describes it as “more than just a song — it’s a soundtrack to the film we are living in.”
The devil whispered in my ear: “You’re not strong enough to withstand the storm.” Today I whispered in the devil’s ear: “I am the storm.”
She continues: “There are two main characters in this story: a girl and an elemental force: water. However, as the story unfolds, we realize that, in fact, there is only one — because humans and nature are one. The raging water represents the challenges we face on the way to our ‘safe harbor’. But the key is understanding that we don’t have to fight nature, once we see ourselves as part of it, we realize that sometimes, we are the ones who create the storm.”
The song weaves together a unique blend of musical influences, with a Ukrainian folk vesnyanka as its leitmotif: a melody that is hypnotic and fluid, much like the ebb and flow of water. It starts delicately on piano before unfolding into folk singing. As Heil explains: “Through these musical changes, we reflected a sense of constant motion, the absence of stability and a ‘safe harbor’ where the heroine can feel secure. Yet, as the vesnyanka returns in the piano part at the very end, it brings the feeling of spring: a symbol of hope, despite everything.”
Jerry adds: “I have been a fan of WITHIN TEMPTATION since my teenage years and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day we would create a song together. It is an incredible honor for me. Both the band and I performed at the Ukrainian music festival Atlas Weekend, where we first met in Kyiv. At that moment, I knew I couldn’t let the opportunity slip away — I had to suggest working on something together. Sharon‘s vocal style is deeply authentic and resonates with my artistic vision, so I instantly knew it would be a wild fusion: rock, classical vocals, and Ukrainian folk motifs.”
Beyond its artistic vision, “Sing Like A Siren” carries a deeper purpose. The song serves as the soundtrack to WITHIN TEMPTATION‘s documentary “The Invisible Force”, capturing their visit to Ukraine and their initiative to support Ukrainian artists by bringing them along on their “Bleed Out” 2024 tour.
A powerful new documentary, “Within Temptation: The Invisible Force”, has recently been released on YouTube. The film offers an intimate and emotional glimpse into the life of Dutch symphonic metal band WITHIN TEMPTATION at a defining moment in both their career and the world at large.
“Within Temptation: The Invisible Force” follows founders Sharon Den Adel and Robert Westerholt as they become increasingly involved with the war in Ukraine. What starts as distant solidarity soon evolves into direct action, on stage and beyond.
Determined to go beyond lyrics in supporting the Ukrainian cause, Sharon travels to Kyiv to meet fans and offer them a message of hope through a special concert held in the heart of a warzone. During her visit, she meets BLIND8 — a young Ukrainian band with a raw and powerful sound, inviting them to join the band’s upcoming European tour. But taking part in the tour proves to be a challenge: the members of BLIND8 may face mandatory military service, and leaving the country is uncertain.
The documentary reveals how the war not only affects those living in Ukraine but also reshapes the creative and moral compass of artists around the world. How far can a band go in living up to their ideals? And what happens when music turns into activism?
“Within Temptation: The Invisible Force” is a compelling story about courage, music, and the invisible yet powerful force that connects people in times of war.
In the fall of 2023, WITHIN TEMPTATION co-sponsored the Ukraine Aid Operations boat fundraiser for the Ukrainian Marines. They donated 6,000 euros for 30 patches, which they packaged with a limited-edition box of their latest album, “Bleed Out”.
Nearly a year ago, Den Adel spoke to Metal Musikast about WITHIN TEMPTATION‘s music video for the band’s “A Fool’s Parade” single, featuring Ukrainian producer and vocalist Alex Yarmak. Recorded amidst the streets of Kyiv with renowned Ukrainian video director Indy Hait, the clip captures Sharon at important Ukrainian landmarks. Asked what it was like to make a music video in the capital city of a country at war, Den Adel said: “Well, I was never scared to go there, because I was in good hands, to my opinion. We were helped to do this video and to organize everything, what we wanted to do in Kyiv, by the organization called Music Saves Ukraine. And they told us about the app that you had need to have. For instance, if you go into Kiev, which we did by night train from Poland, because there’s no commercial flights from Amsterdam to Kyiv anymore. So we had to go by night train from Poland to Kyiv. And they told us to download an air-alerts app because everyone in Ukraine has that, and you can select a region that you are in and any incoming dangerous drones or airplanes, like MiGs, who are carrying a supersonic bomb or anything, they will put that in the app and you know what the danger is and how much time you have to go to a shelter. And there’s shelters everywhere, even in the hotel that I was. And we once had to go underneath the metro station, because there was a MiG on their way. And sometimes it has a bomb, sometimes it doesn’t. It’s sometimes just looking and scouting where they can do something with the next airplane. And this time it wasn’t wearing any supersonic bomb, which was good for us because it can wipe out a complete area in a matter of seconds.”
She continued: “It’s strange to be there, because normal life continues in Kyiv for 90 percent, to my opinion, when I was there, because when I left the bombing was actually intensified by Russia on Kyiv. But they have a good air defense system, which most rockets and bombs don’t hit Kyiv itself, but the debris, of course, does, and the pieces of that, of the thing that they are trying to attack them with, it’s coming still down on buildings and buildings do get hits and also bystanders. But if you know in time that they’re coming, then you can go to a shelter. Most of the time it goes okay. So I wasn’t scared because I knew this knowledge upfront. And, yeah, it is when the air alert goes off and when you see military people walking in streets, it’s a different picture than the rest of Europe, of course.”
In March 2022, WITHIN TEMPTATION was one of the artists who took part in a telethon concert in support of Ukraine. “Save Ukraine – #StopWar” united more than 20 countries and bring together more than 50 participants. The marathon was broadcast from Warsaw on the Polish TV channel TVP. In addition, broadcasters from many countries around the world rebroadcasted the marathon on their local channels.
Last December, longtime WITHIN TEMPTATION keyboardist Martijn Spierenburg has announced his departure from the Dutch symphonic metal band.
Martijn Spierenburg released the following statement via social media: “After 24 incredible years, I have made the bittersweet decision to part ways with WITHIN TEMPTATION.
“This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary — filled with unforgettable moments, countless gigs, and the privilege of sharing music with an amazing group of people, both band and crew. I am truly grateful for all the moments we shared, both on and especially off stage, and I will forever cherish these memories. Together with my fellow band members, I’ve been able to achieve everything — and even more — than I could ever have dreamed of when I started my first piano lessons back in 1984. WITHIN TEMPTATION has been more than just a band to me; it’s been a family. Leaving is not a decision I have taken lightly.
“As I step away, I look forward to working on new projects that will allow me to grow both as a musician and as a person. While this chapter closes, the love and respect I have for my bandmates will remain with me always.
“To the fans, I cannot thank you enough for all the support, energy, and love you’ve given me over the years. You’ve been the heart of my journey, and I am eternally grateful.
“So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye.”
The remaining members of WITHIN TEMPTATION added in a separate statement: “Dear Martijn, cheers to you! Thank you for 24 amazing years. It’s been an incredible ride together playing hundreds of shows, visiting cities around the globe and making music together. We will miss you, but this is not a goodbye.”
Spierenburg joined WITHIN TEMPTATION in 2001, shortly after the release of the band’s second full-length studio album, “Mother Earth”.
Spierenburg co-wrote songs for various WITHIN TEMPTATION albums, including “Angels”, “Memories”, “Jillian (I’d Give My Heart)”, “Our Solemn Hour”, “The Cross”, “Sinéad” and “Forgiven”. Spierenburg also wrote orchestral arrangements for the band, and oversaw the orchestra when the band was recording albums.
WITHIN TEMPTATION, founded in 1996, became the prominent face of symphonic metal worldwide. For their eight studio albums, they were rewarded with the Conamus Export Prize four times in a row and various other prizes such as MTV Europe and TMF Awards, two Edisons and awards from metal magazines such as Loudwire, Metal Hammer and Revolver. WITHIN TEMPTATION has been the best internationally selling band from the Netherlands for years — with over four million albums and DVDs sold.
WITHIN TEMPTATION‘s latest album, “Bleed Out”, came out in October. The LP features the singles “The Purge”, “Entertain You”, “Wireless”, “Bleed Out” and “Don’t Pray For Me”. They also released a video for the song “Ritual” for Halloween.
Watch “Ritual” and “Bleed Out” below.
Also watch the previously released videos for ‘Entertain You’, ‘Shed My Skin (feat. Annisokay)’, ‘Don’t Pray For Me’, ‘The Purge’ and visualiser for ‘Wireless’ below.
“Bleed Out” Track listing:
1: We Go To War
2: Bleed Out
3: Wireless
4: Worth Dying For
5: Ritual
6: Cyanide Love
7: The Purge
8: Don’t Pray For Me
9: Shed My Skin (feat. Annisokay)
10: Unbroken
11: Entertain You
In recent years, WITHIN TEMPTATION shifted their focus from releasing albums to releasing a series of singles, enabling the bandmembers to indulge themselves in their creative processes thus delivering freshly inspired music. The group has released “Entertain You”, “The Purge” and “Shed My Skin”, singles that have all thrilled their fanbase, had great critical reception in Europe, peaked in the Top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Indicator charts and topped the official German charts. In July, WITHIN TEMPTATION also released the official Jeb Hardwick-directed music video for “Don’t Pray For Me”. It was the fourth single of the band’s independent releases and will lead up to WITHIN TEMPTATION‘s next studio album.
WITHIN TEMPTATION‘s last album, “Resist”, was released in February 2019 through Spinefarm Records, the specialist hard rock label of Universal Music Group.
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