WITHIN TEMPTATION have been awarded the Dutch Pop Prize at Popprijs 2005, which recognizes the band's significant contribution to the Dutch pop industry. In addition, the band were honored with the Dutch Export Prize for the third year in a row, cementing the band's status as the top-selling Dutch artist outside The Netherlands.

In other news, the band have posted the following update on their official web site:

"At this moment, we are busy working on new songs for a new album, which is due to be released in the fall of 2006. Starting in April, we will be playing at many festivals throughout the summer, with an international tour to follow in the end of 2006. In other words: see you soon!"

WITHIN TEMPTATION's latest album, "The Silent Force", was recently certified platinum in the band's native Holland for sales in excess of 80,000 copies.

"The Silent Force", originally released in November 2004, crashed into the Netherlands official chart at No. 1, and was certified gold a mere three weeks later. Further Top 5 positions followed in Germany (gold), Belgium (also gold), and Finland, with Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, France, and Norway all also placing the album high in the Top 30.