''Prison of Desire'' is the debut album by

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

symphonic metal band

After Forever After Forever was a Dutch symphonic metal band with strong progressive metal influences. The band relied on the use of both soprano vocals and death growls. In February 2009, it was announced that After Forever had disbanded. Singer Floor Jans ...

. It was released on 21 April 2000 by Transmission Records. The album contains the first four installments (three parts and a prologue) of ''The Embrace That Smothers'', a collection of songs by

Mark Jansen Mark Jansen (born 15 December 1978) is a Dutch guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. A prominent figure in the symphonic metal subgenre, he is known for his work with the bands After Forever (1995–2002), Epica (2002–present), and MaYaN (2010� ...

which deals with the influence and distortion of religion in human society. This theme was carried over to the

Epica Epica or EPICA may refer to: * Epica (band), a Dutch symphonic metal band * ''Epica'' (Kamelot album), 2003 * ''Epica'' (Audiomachine album), 2012 * The European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) * The Epica Awards (International Adver ...

albums ''

The Phantom Agony ''The Phantom Agony'' is the first full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica. It was released in 2003 by the Dutch label Transmission Records. It is the first album recorded by guitarist Mark Jansen after his departure from t ...

'' and ''

The Divine Conspiracy ''The Divine Conspiracy'' is the third full-length studio album by Dutch symphonic metal band Epica as well as their first concept album. It was released through Nuclear Blast in Japan on 22 August 2007, in the US on 28 August, in Europe on 7 ...

''. The final track, "Beyond Me", features a guest appearance of Sharon den Adel, lead singer in

Within Temptation Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic metal band founded in April 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. They have been classified by critics as gothic metal and symphonic metal, although each album contains other inf ...

. The album was reissued in June 2008 by the re-financed Transmission Records, as a two-disc set containing previously unreleased studio sessions, instrumental/ a cappella tracks, and a handful of demo recordings. Guitarist

Sander Gommans Sander Gommans (born 15 August 1978) is a Dutch musician and songwriter. He founded the symphonic metal band Apocalypse with Mark Jansen in 1995, which later changed its name to After Forever. He played guitar and performed the vocal grunting ...

has urged fans not to buy this re-release through the band's official forum. In 2021, it was elected by ''

Metal Hammer ''Metal Hammer'' is a heavy metal music magazine and website founded in 1983, published in the United Kingdom by Future, with other language editions available in numerous other countries. ''Metal Hammer'' features news, reviews and long-form ...

'' as the 6th best symphonic metal album of all time.

Track listing

Personnel

After Forever *

Floor Jansen Floor Jansen (; born 21 February 1981) is a Dutch singer and songwriter. She is the lead vocalist of Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. Jansen first became known as a member of symphonic metal band After Forever, standing as their lead vo ...

– vocals *

– guitar, grunts *

Jack Driessen Jack Driessen (born 11 July 1980 in Roermond, Netherlands) is a Dutch keyboardist, songwriter and arranger. He is co-founder and former member of the Dutch symphonic death metal band MaYaN. Furthermore he is known as the first keyboardist of the ...

– keyboards * Luuk van Gerven – bass guitar * Joep Beckers – drums Additional musician * Sharon den Adel – vocals on "Beyond Me" Choir * Hans Cassa, Caspar de Jonge, Yvonne Rooda and Melissa 't Hart Production * Hans Pieters – engineering * Dennis Leidelmeijer – engineering * Oscar Holleman – choir producer, engineering, mixing * Hans van Vuuren – executive producer, coordination and research * Peter van 't Riet – mastering

References

2000 debut albums After Forever albums Transmission (record label) albums {{2000s-metal-album-stub