Shouts
Want to share your thoughts about this artist? Join Last.fm or log in to leave a shout.
-
Replies
-
Oksymoron11
It really is (ok, not all of it as their 2nd album wasn't even good mostly due to a lot of bad vocals from that guy, the instrumentals are magical there still) - so I'd say like 3/4 of it is outstanding.
Actions
-
Skyggespill
I'm an Almost a Dance apologist haha, yes the vocals are bad but that album is special in its own way. Been listening to it on repeat a month or so ago. Along with Pyogenesis' Waves of Erotasia, it has my favourite melodies of all metal. The vocal lines are solid too, it's just the guy's timbre that's off.
Actions
Replies
-
Oksymoron11
I agree, it still is! The instrumentals are oftentimes ... really special and magical. The ending of A Passage to Desire for instance springs to mind. And there's one song that when reworked and just sung by Anneke becomes something great - Like Fountains. I like the most ... Nobody Dares out of studio songs on this one. The dude ... actually could sing there (sings in a very different way than otherwise on Almost a Dance), it's very sweet, touching and unlike other songs on this album (it is not a heavy song). I think Nobody Dares is the most underappreciated song in their entire catalogue.
Actions
-
Skyggespill
Ha ha, I ended up overlooking that song as well, actually. He does indeed sing a lot better on that track now that I listened to it. I feel the same about Proof from that album. The repetitive bass / guitar clean riff is really hypnotic, sounds just like some good old post-punk / gothic rock a la The Cure or Sisters of Mercy, but with a heavy touch. The whispered vocals are also a nice touch.
Actions
-
Oksymoron11
That song (Nobody Dares) also gives me some ... grunge vibe, unexpectedly for The Gathering.
Actions
-
-
-
RichieTozier
underneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeath the mask you've buried yoursel intoooooooooo it's coaaaaal blaaaaaaaaaaaaack
Actions
-
Replies
-
Replies
-
Oksymoron11
Yeah, it's quite a mess unfortunately. I wish there was some feasible way of fixing that.
Actions
-
ruyhenrique-90
would that be you having bad feelings towards "gothic" or "metal" words, or just wanting to be nearer the alternative thingy? ...I'd fall on the latter category, personally.
Actions
-
-
-
Oksymoron11
An excellent band and actually badly underrated. I think they'd get bigger had they stayed ... metal but they have recorded more great rock songs long time ago already.
Actions
-
Replies
-
This shout is unavailable.
-
outfield7790
Спустя столько лет захотелось послушать онлайн The Gathering, что называется, от а до я. Были на одном мп3 диске вместе с Flowing Tears, но не зря мимо меня прошло... Первый альбом - унылый вылизанный дэт метал с нелепыми клавишными, неуместными ориентальными мотивами который потом культивировали Crematory, Dawn of Dreams и over 9000 групп. Второй альбом - ещё хуже - мерзкий... Голос Аннеке, на которую фапают 50% ластфм - строго на любителя, долго такое не послушаешь, слишком слащаво. Поскольку сменился лайнап и стиль, мб, пост-роковые альбомы понравятся...
Actions
Replies
-
Replies
-
-
Connacht_89
Unfortunately many old fans departed from them when they ceased to be a metal band in the late 90s. I remember certain irritating later discussions with metalheads, jesus christ... (and not only about The Gathering: people complaining about Ulver, Anathema etc.). Even the label stopped supporting them, and it was a tragedy. At the turn of the century most of the listeners that continued to love them were "open minded metalfans" that kept them being associated with the metal scene even when they sounded more like Pink Floyd/Portishead/Piano Magic/Radiohead, and they were mostly invited in metal gigs and festivals. Many alternative listeners were not interested in discovering them because they had heard that it was "a metal band". I still today struggle to convince certain people to try because they see the tag on the internet and make wrong assumptions. I wonder how things would have developed regarding line-up changes if The Gathering had more commercial success in the early 2000s.
Actions
Replies
-
pica-hudsonia
I'm almost glad about the erroneous gothic metal tagging because, as a relatively "younger" fan, I discovered them after browsing that limewire tag and randomly downloading a couple of tracks from "Souvenirs." They eventually got me into Trip Hop, Prog Rock, and a bunch of other non-metal genres as a teen, and I'm so grateful to them for broadening my tastes! Still, I've never been able to convince someone completely opposed to metal to give them a shot or listen past a few songs either. They seem to most appeal to people who love some a range of metal, prog, trip hop, and a general spread of alt rock. To take the heat off of metal fans — Prog is also a super divisive genre with a lot of people who won't go near it; prog rock fans aren't always super open-minded either and there are barely any women (vocalists or otherwise) in the genre... so that was/is another difficulty this band faces with marketing and audience skepticism.
Actions
Replies
-
thebluetrees
As I am almost the age of Mandylion + 1 IDGAF about labels. Never saw them at their peak. Never saw TG. But I'm pleased now Anneke's on tour with Marko from Nightwish. I saw her with Danny and it was the best gig of my life. All acoustic and old songs both TG/Anathema/old covers she's better as an acoustic songwriter and better so if she has a top notch musician by her side and not 5 young kids doing her tasteless prog metal fit. It will be my fifth time seeing her and hope it'll be great.
Actions
-
pica-hudsonia
I only recently learned that she's touring with Marko atm and... wow. I hope that lives up to expectations! I'm almost tempted to try and catch one of the later Mexico dates at least, but it's realistically not likely this year. Anneke (understandably) rarely tours in Canada, and I'm a little envious that you've had the chance to see her live so many times! Will be curious to hear what you think of this upcoming tour afterwards.
Actions
-
thebluetrees
I wish they got together. The reason Anneke and the band split is money. All of them could be making considerably more cash with the old line-up. But I guess Anneke got a fanbase so big now she now doesn't depend on TG to earn $$$. But it's absolutely not the same.
Actions
-
-
Kajtek666
Considering myself as an oldschool fan (and listening them since debiut, but actually sinking into their music after "Mandylion" release) I agree with you. Part of their "metal" fanbase abandoned them after "Nighttime Birds", another part of non-metal fanbase left after Anneke departure (including myself, but I've abandoned them due to changing musical interests, also band started to eat their own tail on "Home" imo). Last album, which was the first since aforementioned "Home" I listened extensively was really nice (only nice), but imagine Silje being replaced by Anneke... All these compositions would shine like fucking diamonds. Unfortunately they not and I have nothing against Silje, she's just not Anneke, that's all. Maybe they'll follow the path of Dream Theater - Mike Portnoy rejoined the band recently after departure 13 years ago. I hope they will, for sake of happiness of us all.
Actions
Replies
More replies-
thebluetrees
Thank you for digging up. God damn! They were really something unnique, what a sad move from TG and Anneke. Silje isn't bad, but her vocals can't compare.
Actions
-
pica-hudsonia
Thanks for laying all that info out like that, Connacht_89 ! In case I was unclear, I didn't mean to imply I doubted you when I wrote I didn't remember drama - just that I literally don't remember anything, partially because I was an oblivious, young teen when the split occurred and wasn't into reading interviews or frequenting boards. Also, major 😒 at that "pro-male dominance in metal" quote from Anneke. The whole quote in the interview reads like crappy gender existentialism.
Actions
-
Connacht_89
Don't worry, I was just adding more details! I was a late teenager in 2007 and that was a really sad day. :(
Actions
-
-
DorianVonEden
Honestly, good riddance. If people can't keep up with change, there's plenty of bands out there who have been re-writing the same album over and over again, either because their creativity has run out or to play it safe and make a quick buck: go listen to those. I wholeheartedly commend The Gathering (and, similarly, Theatre of Tragedy and The 3rd And The Mortal) for just staying their course and following their artistry instead of listening to a bunch of malcontents who find something to whine about literally anywhere. Some albums were better, some worse, some experiments worked out and some didn't, but no one can ever say TG ever went creatively bankrupt.
Actions
-
-
Replies
-
Replies
-
-
-
thebluetrees
Unpopular opinion but idc: Anneke left the best musicians she could work with and The Gathering left their best singer. I heard them all. She was the best. They were the perfect fit together. I never saw TG live but I saw Anneke live 4 times her voice is perfect but she lacks... The Gathering. The few moments when the crowd would go mad were TG songs. She has the voice but not the music. They have the music but not the voice. Such a sad loss.
Actions
Replies
-
pica-hudsonia
I love Anneke so much but, yeah... her solo material has never done it for me in the same way her time with TG did (some of her collab stuff is alright, and there are TG-esque moments on "Air" but they feel like... B-sides?). I prefer the song-writting tendencies and various genre influences that the Ruttens' and Co incorporate; it always sounds lush and expansive. I've grown warmer to Silje's studio vocals over time because of the strength of the rest of the musis, and believe she has her own niche & wispy vibe to contribute, but it's impossible to replace the vibrancy that was Anneke with TG!
Actions
Replies
-
-
analogpark
Yes, this exactly! TG with Anneke was the most amazing thing! Amazing voice and amazing music. But now Anneke is missing the music and TG is missing the voice (Silje isn’t bad but Anneke is on another level..) I’m still sad about it sometimes because I really want to see them together.
Actions
-
Connacht_89
I wonder how things would have developed if The Gathering had more commercial success in the early 2000s.
Actions
-
-
-
-
fabrirocha
I think they did the most drastic change of sound in a band ever. it doesn't sound the same band if we listen to the first records and the latest ones
Actions
Replies
-
-
Replies
-
thebluetrees
I know I'll probably be jumped at with this: The Gathering lost her best singer, and Anneke lost her best musicians. I saw her four times soloist. So far I haven't had the chance of seeing the band with Silje. Nothing is as good as them together.
Actions
-
-
-
Replies
-
Replies
-
-
-
-
Replies
-
Replies
-
-
Oksymoron11
I like Anneke's voice more but I enjoy Silje too albeit I wish she would sing more with a full voice (not sure whether it's the right term or not) more often both on studio records and live.
Actions
-
-
-
-
Replies
-
-
pica-hudsonia
From social media: "Our 11th studio album is nearly finished. The mastering is done. The 1st single will be released this October. The album clocks in at almost 50 minutes, with 8 tracks. Album title, artwork and other information will follow soon."
Actions
-
Deroth-Rus-
легкоусвояемый период трип роцка это конечно забавно (и скучно), но тот же самобытнейший Always с охуительными клавишными, да даже более коммерческий Mandylion, интереснее поздних серных потуг.
Actions
Replies
-
Replies
-
Deroth-Rus-
С позиции лояльного меломанства да, но с лично вкусовой точки зрения нет, а шауты тут для выражения разных мнений)
Actions
-
-
-
-
KingLycaon
I honestly think all their albums are good... but "Mandylion", "Nighttime Birds", "How to Measure a Planet?" and "if_then_else" are definitely my favorites. That's just prime Gathering for me. In any case, a fantastic band no matter which album(s) you prefer.
Actions
Replies
-
pica-hudsonia
It's nice to see "if_then-else" lumped in with those other three stellar albums. It sometimes seems less appreciated than the rest of the Anneke-era output (like on RYM).
Actions
Replies
-
KingLycaon
"if_then_else" definitely needs more love - sounds like it's somewhere between the "Mandylion"/"Nighttime Birds" style and what they were doing on "How to Measure a Planet?". Would have made a great transition album had it actually come out before HTMAP?, lol.
Actions
-
Kajtek666
I read na interview with Anneke and Rene, just after "if_then_else" was released. They sounded heavier because of influence from american bands (the band toured US intensively after releasing "HtMaP"), but heavier sound was partially deliberate, after softer and long predecessor they wanted more straightforward and rockish record. Althought it's not my favourite from them, I really like this LP.
Actions
-
-
-
-
-
Wonderglue
For me The Gathering were How to Measure a Planet? to Home. Everything before that and after that just doesn't sound like "them", and there isn't a single band that sounds like those albums i have posted. I don't know how they could go downhill after Home, considering all musicians were present at the time, only the vocalist changed. It's like the center of the band left, leaving only shells that tried to do something else they weren't capable of doing. Those albums present such talent rarely seen in ANY band, they basically invented a genre. But to each their own.
Actions
-
Replies
-
-
-
RichieTozier
Superheat version of Sand and mercury is just unbelievable! Those Penderecki-vibes in the middle were so unexpected. Why didn't I listen to it sooner?
Actions
-
RichieTozier
Superheat version of Sand and mercury is just unbelievable! That Penderecki-vibes in the middle were so unexpected. Why didn't I listen to it sooner?
Actions
-
Replies
-