The Gathering
Souvenirs

THE REVIEW

Genre: Trip Rock
The Gathering has always proven to be a chameleon-like band, emblematic in its musical directions. They started a decade ago with the raw doom/death of “Always” and “Almost a Dance” with male vocals, then moved on to the melodic and atmospheric doom of “Mandylion” and “Nighttime Birds”: the style of these albums revolutionized the metal scene and influenced dozens and dozens of bands that unsuccessfully try to recreate the magical chemistry of pieces like “Eleanor” and “Sand and Mercury”.

In '98, a huge change of direction: “How to Measure a Planet?”: proposing a psychedelic rock far removed from the early albums, their relationship with their label, “Century Media,” began to deteriorate. Finally, with “If Then Else,” we have a much more direct and traditional rock. In 2003, the new album was released for the Dutch band, with the fascinating title “Souvenirs,” the first published under their newly formed label “Psychonaut Records,” the first free from exhausting pressures. The proposed genre is labeled by the band itself as “Trip Rock”: that is, take a dreamy and psychedelic rock and add electronic contaminations of various kinds.

The songs are little gems, just like little souvenirs from a fascinating journey. Anneke's voice has even improved: it knows how to be seductive and enchanting, sweet or impetuous. The tracks are indeed all at the service of her beautiful voice. The CD opens with “These Good People”, a hypnotic and very minimalist track. It is followed by “Even the Spirits Are Afraid”, another truly successful piece with very vibrant guitars. The ending is beautifully done by the keyboards. “Broken Glass” is one of the best pieces on the whole CD: liquid, dreamy, hypnotic, it truly gives intense emotions. “You Learn About It”, at first hasty listen, might be cataloged as a sappy pop song. In reality, the piece is moving in its seemingly simple beauty. It is followed by the visionary title track: a beautiful and peculiar piece, strange and unexpected, like a prematurely bloomed flower. The ending gives chills. “Monsters” is the most dynamic piece of the entire work: excellent almost robotic electronic inserts. “We Just Stopped Breathing” is a psychedelic and magical piece, with numerous changes of atmosphere. “Golden Grounds” (its intro reminds me of “Lose Yourself” by Eminem”) is a piece entirely centered on Anneke's voice. “Jelena” is an excellent piece. Finally, “A life all mine” is the track made together with Trickster G from Ulver.

Overall, a strange and complex album, which needs numerous listens to be fully appreciated. If you don’t set unnecessary boundaries and barriers, this CD is made for you.
Let yourself be lulled by the dreamlike visions created by Anneke's voice.