RoD header

Translate


Artist: The Gathering
Album: Home
Genre: Gothic Metal
Language: English
Label: Sanctuary Records



Introduction

A new album and a new tour for The Gathering. Unfortunately the tour had to be cancelled for the bigger part. But don’t be sad they are soon about to make up for it and play those cancelled concerts anyway. Be sure to listen to their new album before going there so you can enjoy the concert even more.


Line-up

Anneke van Giersbergen - vocals
Hans Rutten - drums, percussions & loops
René Rutten - guitars
Marjolein Kooijman- bass
Frank Boeijen - keyboards & programming




Song review

01. Shortest Day4:12
A distant guitar tune coming closer and leaving again, then drums join in and then the warm voice of Anneke. This song captures you from the first to the last tune. Take your time and listen to the lyrics as well, it is worth it. Besides singing words Anneke can also just sing sounds as if you are dreaming.

02. In Between 4:44
This song starts out very easy, again the instruments build up before Anneke joins in. She shows a darker side of her voice at first. Later on she lets us hear she also is able to hit the high notes, you can hear the different sides of her voice. The music takes you on a trip, almost gets you in a trance, very pleasant to listen too. The song ends with just key tunes and wonderfully doubled vocals.

03. Alone 4:56
A high keyboard tune starts this song and soon a somewhat threatening beat joins in. These dark beats continue and Annekes voice only adds to this atmosphere. In the middle of the song there are some nice distorted guitar pieces. There are some wonderfully mystical parts in the song. The song keeps evolving, it is never the same.

04. Waking Hour 5:38
Piano and a mechanical sound, as if there is a machine working, then the wonderful lyrics start. The refrain is very catching and sung full of emotions, sometimes tender sometimes powerful. The same goes for the music of this song; it can both soothe and move you.

05. Fatigue 1:49
The sounds seem to come from a far, it is difficult to place them. Annekes voice also comes from a far and is sometimes overruled by the music. A short passage on the album which can confuse you and take you out of the trance you might have gotten into until now.

06. A Noise Severe 6:06
A very pleasant beat because of that it is easier to listen to the story that is told. Anneke even sings about a distant drum. As the emotions in her voice get heavier, the music moves along with this. You can feel the loneliness in the song, which is both sad and powerful.

07. Forgotten 3:25
After the heavy end of the former song this song is a relief. It starts with the sweet sounds of a piano and soft vocals. Such a soothing song, when you listen to the text it is soothing indeed, for the one singing the song. A very fragile song.

08. Solace 3:51
This song starts with a Spanish news announcement and then an almost military beat joins in. Soon vocals start and guitars join in. There is a strong drive in this song. Later on a Swedish news announcement is part of the song. This is one of the heavier songs of the album, though less powerful than other softer songs.

09. Your Troubles Are Over 3:46
This song has great vocal melodies. Not only the lyrics speak but the melodies they are sung in as well. There are backing vocals, which add a warm depth to the song. It has an optimistic sound to it. It is over before you know it.

10. Box 4:43
The high tunes from the song before transfer in to the deep humming sounds of ‘Box’. A sung full of life’s wisdom. After the lyric ‘it’s a fragile swamp box’ you can hear the bubbles of the swamp. Sound effects are a part of this song, they emphasise the lyrics.

11. The Quiet One 2:16
After the sound effects and synthesiser sounds of ‘Box’ the guitar of this song is a nice release. It is a warm sound. No words are sung, just sounds. Drift away on the warm sounds of this song and simply enjoy it. The emotions of the song are for your own interpretation.

12. Home 6:58
The title song of this album is a very pleasant song to listen to. it has an easy beat and audible lyrics. It keeps on going from beginning to end with no extreme parts. After the song there is a long silence, perhaps to give the listener some time to think about what they have just heard.

13. Forgotten Realms 7:57
All of a sudden ‘Forgotten Realms’ sets in. another quiet song. It starts with vocals but after awhile the music keeps going in a circle, with a church bell in the background, it is almost hypnotizing. Near the end it gets softer and softer until you can hardly hear it any more.


Extras
 
None


Technical Information

Total playing time – 1:00:25
Tracks – 13


Cover Picture




Conclusion

This is an album you should not give up on after hearing it only once. It gets better the more you listen to it. There are quiet songs which take you away on a dreamy trip and others which can fill you with emotion. There are a lot of synthesiser sounds and additional sounds used to give the songs more depth but songs like the quiet one show us they can also do without. It is an fragile and at the same time powerful album.


Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Overall: 8

{jos_sb_discuss:19}

Comments powered by CComment