So melodic, so much space in the track... and then when they go heavy, it really kicks. Also, Anneke is always great. One of my all-time favorite vocalists.
We were basically all in love with Anneke back then. But the whole band was really phenomenal. "Trip metal" was what they got labelled with. I'd call it "feel metal". Anyways... I was lucky enough to see them live 3x in the 90s. Still goosebumps whenever I hear them
Anneke has one of the most underrated voices of the past 30 years . Strangely her vocals often remind me of those of Brian Ferry in songs like " Avalon " - probably a strange comparison I know but 🤷♂ . BTW - If you want to hear more theremin I'd recommend Japanese band Ningen Isu and their song " At The Mountains Of Madness " actually I'd just recommend them generally .
Yeah, "trip rock" or "trip metal" was kind of what this stage of TG's development was in here. I always felt that the theramin parts reminded me of whale songs! Prior to Anneke joining the band, they were a kind of doom metalish band... when she joined for the album Mandylion, I felt like they had something special but weren't totally sure what to do with it; with Nighttime Birds, I think they really started to hit their groove. Then with Souvenirs, If_then_else, and How to Measure a Planet, they really hit new levels. I'll try to head over to Discord to make some more recommendations.
Anneke is very unique - she inspired and showed the way to Floor (Nightwish), Simone (Epica) Sharon (Within Temptation) and more dutch female lead vocalist that there is a place for them in rock and metal.
They have an extremely deep and diverse catalog of music. Through many different styles and sounds there is an atmosphere created that is unmistakably The Gathering. Each element of the band adds to this magical atmosphere, but especially with Rene's guitar and Anneke's vocals. A musical match made in heaven. When listening to The Gathering I am transported to wonderfully mysterious world that is alien yet extremely familiar. If I'm on a long drive The Gathering is almost always the soundtrack to my journey.
Whenever Rene uses the theremin in a song, you know it's gonna be a trip. I was in Wacken in... 1999? Or 2001? (can't remember) when the album this so g is from was just released. The Gathering took the stage on a very hot and sunny afternoon. People all sat or lay down.... Puffs of smoke rising up everywhere. It was magical....
