Vocal Coach reacts to Anneke van Giersbergen and The Gathering performing Travel 

Thank god for Anneke van Giersbergen. She was the well that so many vocalists we love and have, drew inspiration from. Oh yeah and the Gathering. What a band!

She has one of the most heartwarming and magic voices out there

Love Anneke so much! Her voice brings tears to my eyes in the most wonderful way

Anneke is a gift to this world.

Her voice is so recognisable, so strong, so consistent, always in tune. The project she did with Arjen (Ayreon fella) called The Gentle Storm is really great as well.

Travel is always the first song I listen to on a new set of headphones or speakers...

How can a song line with such a limited range in notes be so mesmerising and fulfilling? Anneke and the guitars competing and blending in their hovering qualities.... goosebumps!

I am a huge Nightwish fan from way back in 1999 but Anneke is still my favorite vocalist to listen to and her personality on stage is second to none. She talks with the crowd while on stage and acknowledges them between songs. Some videos you can even see her engaging with the fans and singing to them not for them. She is a special person that many need to take lessons from when learning how to entertain people. If you want to go deep into the rabbit hole she did 4 albums with Devon Townsend and has been featured with many different bands. She at 49 is still touring today and sounds as good or better tan she did in the 1990's when this song was written.

To me this one is musical bliss.....Every time I hear the song I am completely captured by it. Stunning

Actually Floor considers her as a big influence. The Gathering and Anneke are legendary and such an inspiration for many acts that came after.

Such an epic song... Travelled around the Netherlands many, many times to see them live 😊. And in October 2024, will hear Anneke again in Haarlem. She is 🔥

A real masterpiece! What a great composition! Anneke's voice is so incredible great.... Also the great guitar playing and sounds by René Rutten are really carrying this song🙏💪👍

Another lovely reaction and analysis. This performance is from the 25th anniversary show for The Gathering. The singers that join Anneke on stage are the other singers the band has had over the years. Song is about traveling back in time to meet Mozart and tell him how important his music is. Love how trippy and psychedelic it is. I get Kristin Chenowith vibes with Anneke's voice as well. Echo others with checking out Somewhere with Within Temptation. One of teh most gorgeous duets I have ever heard.

She is such a diamond. Absolutely blew me away as a 16 year old in 1995 with her performance on mandylion. And this is by far my favourite song featuring her gorgeous voice. The emotion behind it, the meaning of the lyrics… the whole how to measure a planet album is fantastic btw. And she inspired Floor. It’s unreal.

Yes!!! I’m so happy you chose this performance. Anneke’s voice gives me full body chills and I love how she just loses herself with the music. FYI she was also on Beste Zangers 2021 and has performed with Devin Townsend *wink wink*.

The performance of Travel at TG25 was incredible. She had so much passion, emotion and energy. I have never seen singing like it.

Anneke van Giersbergen was definitely an inspiration for Floor, not so much in the sound but more the fact she was a singer in a metalband.

Anneke's voice is pure gold! So very relaxing......it has the power to take you away, to the clouds ☁️ The Gathering is magical ❤️🎶🙏

'Waking Hour' (from that concert) has a great build-up which shows Anneke's control and 'In Motion #1' is a good duet with the singer to her left, as is 'Leaves' for a duet with the singer on her right. As others have probably mentioned, those other singers were previous or current singers with The Gathering.

And there is so much to see and hear....with devin townsend, and with with in temptation.....love Anneke!!!

I saw her live several times. She is an absolute vocal prodigy, and the sweetest person alive. I know "Travel" is a song The Gathering fans love to push forward, but honestly, it is not a begginer friendly track at all, for neither the band, nor Anneke as a vocalist. It's very long and atmospheric, and doesn't even showcase her vocal strenghts as, let's say "On Most Surfaces", or even "The Blower's Daughter" would. I personally would never introduce the band to anybody with such a track. I would probably go with "In Motion #2", "Saturnine" or "You Learn About It" instead. Still, it's a beautiful track, and I'm glad you reacted to a The Gathering song, they're one of the most influential bands on the genre, and changed the game for sure.

I only discovered Anneke through the work she's done with Devin Townsend but I have to say that her voice is absolutely stunning. I've got to hear more of The Gathering if this is typical of their live performance.Incredible!

The respect and reverence that this song shows towards Mozart is just incredible.

This song/perfomance makes me weep every single time, it's beyond incredible

Waking hour from same concert is also a beauty. Nice reaction to listen and watch

This piece and performance always resonates with me. I get totally caught up in the sound. Absolutely mesmerizing. Having you pointing out the technicalities and what it feels for you just ads to it. Thank you.

Try anything from the "By a thread" concert with Devin Townsend, absolute musical magic.

Anneke has been my favourite female vocalist for more than 25 years and this song is one of her best!

Saw Ayreon 3 days ago in the Netherlands with Anneke.She has been my favourite singer since '95..Every time goosebumps

She’s incredible! She has full control over her voice and her voice is her presence. She doesn’t need to move an inch or do any theatrics or stage antics. Just stand, sway in place, and SING! Her voice dues all the talking. Only seen a few songs of her through RU-vid reacting to videos and I’m always impressed.

OMG!!! Finally someone has reacted to The Gathering!! I love this band!

Anneke and The Gathering were and will remain the peak of female-fronted Progressive-Metal. They were so awesome yet so unrecognized. Shedding a tear I saw them during that period despite I wasn't even 20 years old.

uhhh the sweet and legendary Anneke. She is definitely an institution in the world of female metal music, and this concert was a love letter to the fans of The Gathering Band. Please, you should react to ''Waking Hour (Live)'' from this show, it's just another great piece with this stunning woman. Btw, I love your reactions and contributions

I am not a vocal coach, but I can help you out. The sound that you couldn’t put your finger on, is called, Anneke. 😉 Her voice is unique. I am happy that I get to see her soon at a concert in The Netherlands where she will preform as supporting act to Floor. How lucky am I.

Was standing in front of the guitarist (René) at this one. An Aussie, a Brazilian, and a Frenchie, friends in music brought together for this one event, hugging as one in tears singing along. Best musical moment in my life. ❤️

Anneke was an inspiration for Floor in that she fronted a rock/metal band while being a Dutch woman. But Floor never aspired or intended to sound like Anneke, they are completely different singers. Anyway, now that you've seen both Devin and Anneke you could check then both together. I recommend "grace".

Yesssss🤘! Next stop " strange machines" live at Pinkpop please 🙂.

The singers at the end were former/present signers of the Gathering. Check out On Most Surfaces or Walking Hour from the same show. 🤘

many decades ago I started with Annie Haslam (Renaissance) and wound up here with Anneke vG (The Gathering) and Floor J (Nightwish) ... simply fantastic vocalists .. Thank You Keith Chicago IL

The band started as death metal and with Bart Smits on vocals (recorded demos in 1990 and 91). In 1992, they recorded their debut with female vocals by Marike Groot (wearing a light blouse at the end of the video) and Bart (the one with the shaved head). It was considered death/doom, dsbm and a hint of goth. In 1993 the vocalist was Martina Van den Loon (lyricist for two songs), still with Bart. Anneke joined in 1995 and the band no longer had male vocals. She therefore stopped having two vocals and changed the style to something like Trip Metal (?). Beauty and the Beast-style vocals began with the pioneering 1994 Theater of Tragedy featuring singer Liv Kristine. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-P4nTIXMmLYg.html , the lines in this video are in the studio version. But the first band that mixed metal + doom + death + gothic was The Third and the Mortal with vocals by Kari Rueslatten. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wA8l8QM0gow.html this version of a band song made by Kari together with Tuomas (Nightwish). After Kari, an opera singer, Ann-Mari Edvardsen, joined in 1995, on this video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CJz5gxJSk2Y.html the year Anneke joined TG. Kari is an Irish folk voice and Liv is a clear soprano.

Waking Hour from this same show is IN-CRE-DI-BLE! There's even what I'd call a vocal "solo" in there that really needs to be heard. Great reaction, thank you!

The Gathering is my top band ever. And Anneke is by far my favorite singer. If you are just starting your journey into the gathering. You should make sure to check out the studio recordings too. Her harmonies, layers, and backgrounds she puts in are AMAZING. That’s the one thing you don’t get to hear in the live recordings.

Anneke is sooooo unknown in the US. Her voice is on a whole other level of beauty and abnormally masterful.

The era with her in the band is music at its best. I was lucky enough to catch them live in 1999 on their only tour of US. Do more videos of The Gathering with her in vocals...

I don't think it will ever be possible for a vocalist to knock Anneke off the top spot for me, and it's been that way for almost 30 years. I hope you dive more into her work, as I feel she's criminally underrated in the reaction scene.

This song it’s a truly masterpiece, all of it

Anneke? Finally! Pls, do more of her.

I was at those 2 anniversary Concerts.... Anneke... I have no word to describe her, her voice and her music... You can hear her on metal, rock, pop, acoustic, classic, celtic, soft, strong, hard, every range from low to high, with always this natural and easy vibrato.... She's killing me EVERY time since so many years! And she's such a beautiful human being.

I love her voice and this song too! This is simply transcendental. And that note on ''I wish you ...'' is indeed the highlight and that's when the song hits climax the too. Your analysis is awesome too.

A stupendous performance of a truly stunning song. Always moves me. Thanks for this reaction Bethany.

Anneke van Giersbergen is all the good on Earth. From the same show, the songs “Paper waves” and Nighttime birds” are amazing. Thanks for this reaction

Love love love!! the best voice ever

Anneke van Giersbergen……. The godmother off all female metal/symphonic vocalists. Floor was inspired by Anneke, who she adored!

Voice of an Angel.

Anneke is an angel.

I love this performance from Anneke. The ending hits me deep in my soul. The pedal tone is so powerful and the build! Wow! A tribute to the memory and legacy of Mozart! To Travel back in time to tell Mozart his music would live forever. This was a 25th anniversary reunion show with Anneke's first band. All of the other lead vocalists from the different eras of The Gathering joined her onstage to end the song. The ending harmonies are so full of yearning. They were not really symphonic. More like a psychedelic trance version of Pink Floyd. Not very easy to plug into a genre. As she progressed with her career she did more of the symphonic style rock music. You might also love some Beste Zangers performances from Anneke in 2021. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TJygKpPYUzI.html - Anneke van Giersbergen - Sobrevivirė | Beste Zangers 2021 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RZs6DOKwfsQ.html - Anneke van Giersbergen - Endless road | Beste Zangers 2021 Still so much to hear from both Anneke and Marcela! See you very soon.

Other great performances to react to for Anneke: The Gathering - Waking Hour (TG25: Live at Doornroosje - unofficial video) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pUKBV8M_XXE.html > Contains one of the best vocal section I have ever heard The Gathering - On Most Surfaces (TG25: Live at Doornroosje - unofficial video) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gX9nHYj95gw.html Vuur - Days Go By - London [Live at Masters of Rock 2017] ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5sZiL2usPLc.html > To hear her heavier side

Anneke is a force of nature!

She's absolutely awesome, I can so see why she & Devvy get along so well.

ANNEKE!!! 🤘

Waking hour from this same show is the truly vocal masterpiece from Anneke. Looking forward to you react to that ☺️

Wow, cant believe you did my most favorite music video on internet, great reaction! Anneke is the best!

Metal Matriarch of the Netherlands 🇳🇱

Anneke is so amazing Live. I have seen her perform with The Gathering and as a solo act. She is so comfortable on stage, and her voice is amazing. I would recommend her duet with Sharon den Adel from Within Temptation on their track “Somewhere” live. 😊

If you want to see Anneke heading Ayreon and ms Bovio, you should try the song 'the gentle storm'...

Seen them live multiple times, and had the pleasure of working with the band. They were absolute awesome and very down to earth

Anneke has a capital L - Love of music and performing with as many people as she can collaborate with. She's been featured on many Devin Townsend albums and has projects with many bands. Her solo pop stylings are like a sinful dessert, so catchy and so fun. (Hey Okay! and Take Me Home come to mind)

In her TG-period it is known that it got to Anneke as well. 3 of 5 new singers are the first singer Bart Smits of TG and the present singer Silje Wergeland. Lady in yellow top is, I think, Marike Groot. On the rightside are Marjolijn Kooijman (bassist and backing vocals) and Jelmer Wiersma (guitar)

Anneke, besides being an awesome and versatile vocalist, is often credited as a great influence on women in metal, redefining in early 90s the model of a successful hard rock/metal front woman, expanding beyond the more "traditional" Ann Wilson, Lita Ford, Joan Jett, or Doro templates. In the 90s, The Gathering helped propel Within Temptation, greatly inspired nascent NIghtwish, prompted Floor Jansen to join After Forever, her first metal band. Their influence is still going - consider checking out Oceans of Slumber, a Houston band greatly influenced by The Gathering and Anneke. Another amazing vocalist with an uncommon style for the genre and an Ayreon contribution. I suspect you'd really enjoy their original Return to Earth Below or covers of Solitude or Strange Fruit.

This is song brings me in a trance. Like a mini meditation. Love Anneke!

not only does she have a gorgeous voice with tremendous range, her stage presence is simply unmatched. she's so comfortable and happy to be up there. she's in complete control and can do absolutely anything. this is a magical song, and i really love how all the former band members came out at the end to partake in a very special show. marike groot is also a VERY special vocalist, and very different from anneke!

Thanks for appreciating Anneke, great singer.

Floor and Anneke are from the same province in the Netherlands. Must be something in the water. Floor has said Anneke, who is a decade or so older, was an inspiration to her. She said Anneke proved a female could front a successful Metal band. Anneke was front woman for The Gathering starting in the mid 90s and lasting for about 10 years before she left. This concert was a reunion concert where Anneke returned to sing with the band she had left several years previously. Where Floor fronts a Symphonic Metal band, the Gathering I would term “Melancholy Metal.” Travel is a perfect example of this. Also check out “On most Surfaces” and “Waking Hour” from this same concert.

Thank you for reviewing this. I’d also highly recommend the album Sleepy Buildings - a semi acoustic live album. She shines always but on that one even more with the somewhat subdued instruments

Simplemente el desbordamiento de talento en voz, ejecución de música y composición... EXELENTE.

Anneke is among my favorite vocalists. She never fails to convey warmth with her tone in anything she does. Even her sadder songs have a tinge of warmth to them. Additionally, you can just tell she loves what she does. A very genuine person.

Anneke van Giersbergen and the Gathering, heavily influenced Floor Jansen. Anneke van Giersbergen turns 50 years old very soon.

Watch the concert from 2007. Shot in Chile of their last grand tour with Anneke before she went off to have a baby and a solo career. The song 'A Noise Severe' is performed with a different small voice entirely. It took me a few listens to realise it is about a women developing Altimeter's. There has been a running debate concerning what genre The Gathering occupy. They are just The Gathering. Not like anyone else. It is also literature. If anything I would say they are empathic metal. But there is no such thing...Another band that had a struggle with branding by the industry is a Lithuanian band that did the best thing to the question, "What the hell kinda Metal is this? They called themselves, Zalvarinis (the word for bronze in Lithuanian. Hehe.) They deserve a listen too. Zalvarinis' 2018 concert is an amazing experience, where they pull out all the stops.

I had the great pleasure and honor to witness Anneke and The Gathering live many many years ago, an unforgettable experience

NEVER hesitate to go stop, tell us about what you hear, go back a little bit and pursue with the song. That's we we want from a reaction by a vocal coach : expertise If I wanna hear the song, I can play the video alone (and actually, often times that's what I do: before watching a reaction from a vocal coach, I watch the video alone) but If I watch a reaction from a vocal coach, I want him/her to tell me about vocal techniques, placement, breath control, etc.

The Gathering with Anneke stays forever 😢

In July she is live near my home....... Floor is headlining that evening so 2 of my favorite singers in only 10 minutes from home and I got the tickets. (held in the garden of a former royal palace in Soestdijk, the Netherlands...... what a gorgious place, seen other bands there too. Can`t wait.

Love your vocal analysis of this song! Btw, totally off topic here but your teeth are absolutely perfect! If you told me you were a mouth model as well as vocal coach I would 100% believe you lol

Best Dutch song ever. For me at least 🙂 Anneke, the tiny lady with the huge versatile voice.

Thank you :)

Thanks for this great reaction !

Anneke 4ever ♥

You can also hear her a lot with Devin Townsend, he loves her and they match really well together.

I still remember that day of 98 when i bought "how to mesure a planet".

I love the feel of her slightly sharp sustained notes. It gives so much power.

All the other singers at the end are the two singers before Anneke and the girl currently singing in the band after Anneke

When there are no words to discribe a sound its very spiritual and resonates with spirit...nice!

Perhaps another suggestion : Anneke van Giersbergen as guest singer at a concert of Within Temptation in a duet with Sharon : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ScjEJRIZGvg.html

She was a big influence on floor her band was out in early 90s love it the music is haughting and puts you in a trance very beautiful your cute too

I love this. Anneke is one of the best and most passionate live performers I have ever seen. (Supporting Within Temptation)

I somehow managed to miss this beautiful performance. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

I don't know if I speak for all the fans of The Gathering, but this song is magic, I don't know why every time I hear it I end in tears, I can't explain it to myself

I am so happy you did this one 👍😉

Her acoustic stuff is also absolutely gorgeous. I particularly love "Saturnine" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-08V43L98whU.html and her cover of Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-08V43L98whU.html

Marcela Bovio was the backround and co-singer in different anneke-projects with Arjen Lucassen. Anneke van Giersbergen started with the band The Gathering in the middle 94 to 2007 as their second singer. After this period she started a solo time with different projects beside and with metal. And the singers in the end was all lead- and now guestsingers of the band The gathering 🙂