Don't Pray for Me
| "Don't Pray for Me" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Dont Pray for Me - EP.png | ||||
| Single by Within Temptation | ||||
| from the album Bleed Out | ||||
| Released | 8 July 2022 | |||
| Recorded | 2022 | |||
| Genre | Gothic metal[1] | |||
| Length | 3:41 | |||
| Label | Force Music Recordings | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Within Temptation singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Don't Pray for Me" on YouTube | ||||
"Don't Pray for Me" is a song recorded by Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation. It was released worldwide as a single on 8 July 2022 via digital download and streaming and as part of an EP containing the previous three independent singles released by the band and their respective instrumental versions. A limited edition on vinyl was also released on 15 July. The song was produced by their long-time producer Daniel Gibson, with Mathijs Tieken and Within Temptation serving as additional producers.
Background
After the band were forced to cancel the scheduled concerts for 2020 due to safety measures that had to be undertaken as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, they opted to release a series of standalone singles freshly created as a means of staying active and keeping in touch with their fans before the release of an entire album.[2] After the decrease of the pandemic and the relaxation of the safety measures, which allowed live concerts to happen again, the band opted to continue with this form of releasing songs as a way of leading up to their next studio album. The fourth of these singles, "Don't Pray for Me", was announced on 22 June 2022[3] and released on 8 July.[4] On the following week, a music video for the song was also released.[5] On 15 July, a 7" limited edition gold coloured vinyl was released by the specialized label Music on Vinyl as a result of their partnership with the band for the release of exclusive vinyl editions.[6] At first, lead vocalist Sharon den Adel stated that the upcoming album, scheduled for 2023, would feature the songs released during this period;[7] however, as the writing process for the album progressed, the singer commented that the band decided to pursue another direction which didn't fit those songs anymore.[8]
Writing and composition
Music video
The official music video for the song was released on 13 July 2022. It was directed by Jeb Hardwick.[9] The video follows the band performing the song at the center of a rotating shrine, in the middle of a field surrounded by mountains. The scenes intercalate between daytime, when the shrine is illuminated by sunlight and the video adopts an orange palette, and nighttime, when the shrine is illuminated by moonlight and the video adopts a blue palette. The scenes of the band playing are intertwined with different occultistic and religious imagery, as well as with scenes of lead vocalist Sharon den Adel performing the song alone, but wearing a different headpiece and with ravens flying in the sky behind her.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Don't Pray for Me" |
| 3:41 |
| 2. | "Shed My Skin" (featuring annisokay) |
| 4:30 |
| 3. | "The Purge" |
| 4:16 |
| 4. | "Entertain You" | 3:31 | |
| 5. | "Don't Pray for Me (Instrumental)" | 3:44 | |
| 6. | "Shed My Skin (Instrumental)" | 4:30 | |
| 7. | "The Purge (Instrumental)" | 4:21 | |
| 8. | "Entertain You (Instrumental)" | 3:31 | |
| Total length: | 32:06 | ||
Personnel
Within Temptation
- Sharon den Adel – lead vocals
- Ruud Jolie – lead guitar
- Stefan Helleblad – rhythm guitar
- Jeroen van Veen – bass
- Martijn Spierenburg – keyboards
- Mike Coolen – drums
Additional personnel
- Christoph Wieczorek – clean vocals (track 2)
- Rudi Schwarzer – harsh vocals (track 2)
- Daniel Gibson – additional vocals (track 4)
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Zakk Cervini – mixing
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 8 July 2022 | Force Music Recordings | [11] | |
| Various | 15 July 2022 | Music on Vinyl | [6] |
References
- ↑ "The 10 best new metal songs you need to hear right now". Metal Hammer. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ↑ "Within Temptation Is 'Looking For The Right Time' To Release Another New Single". Blabbermouth.net. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ↑ "Within Temptation Announces 'Don't Pray For Me' Single". Blabbermouth.net. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ↑ "Within Temptation releases new song Don't Pray for Me". Metal Hammer. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ↑ "Watch Within Temptation's dramatic video for their towering new track Don't Pray for Me". Rock Sound. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "New MOV titles in stores July 15". Music on Vinyl.
- ↑ "Within Temptation Vocalist Sharon den Adel Confirms New Album Will Be Released In 2023 (Video)". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ↑ "Within Temptation's Sharon den Adel on the Iron Maiden seal of approval: "Steve Harris came and watched us every night"". Metal Hammer. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ↑ "Within Temptation shares music video for new single Don't Pray for Me". Blabbermouth.net. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ↑ "Credits / Don't Pray For Me / Within Temptation – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ↑ "Don't Pray for Me by Within Temptation on Apple Music". Apple Music.