Band: The Gathering
Title: The West Pole
Label: Psychonaut Records
Distribution: Aces High Promotions / Suburban
Release date: 04/05/2009
Review: CD

The Dutch band The Gathering has an incredible history. Twenty years ago, the band started as a Doom-Death Metal formation, yet certainly not an average one. Even at that time, The Gathering were inventive. Their musical approach of Doom-Death was so unique, and their debut album Always (as well as the 1991-demo Moonlight Archer) has always been one of my favourite albums ever. Since then, things evolved rather fast, and several line-up changes came along with a progression within the band’s musical direction.
However, when female vocalist Anneke Van Giersbergen joined, a new era was born. The combination of original and slightly experimental instrumentation with Anneke’s marvellous vocals became ‘cult’ as sort of being labelled as ‘protagonists’ for the so-called ‘Female Fronted (Gothic) Metal’ scene. Throughout the years with Anneke, the band’s style evolved continuously, yet never betraying their original basics. And suddenly, two years ago, Anneke left The Gathering (she continued with a project called Agua De Annique).
After a while, the band found a suitable replacement, being former Octavia Sperati-vocalist Silje Wergeland. It might have been the best choice, because not only her vocals are somewhat comparable to Anneke’s (she’s also capable to combine emotion with purity, yet at the same time, the warmth of her voice is different: more floating and intimate), her voice also fits perfectly to the compositions.
The first official studio result of this collaboration is a next step within The Gathering’s history, yet again it is an evident The Gathering-recording at the same time. The alternative Rock-album might be the less Metal-oriented one to date, even though the sound is often very guitar-driven, and the rhythm section sometimes appears very energetic. Most tracks can be seen as introspective and personal creations with an atmospheric and passionate approach. Some parts are based on piano-melodies, others contain harmonium or violin, and every single time it remains its evident beauty.
Addition: guest vocals by Anne van den Hoogen and Marcela Bovio (Stream Of Passion, Ion, Elfonia). Produced by guitar player René Rutten, mixed and mastered by Zlaya Hadzich (who did work with the band on Souvenirs).

82/100

Ivan Tibos.