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| Gathering - Mandylion Band: Gathering Tracks: - Strange Machine - Eleanor - In Motion # 1 - Leaves - Fear the Sea - Mandylion - Sand and Mercury - In Motion # 2 When a good Band became great The gathering always had a knack for writing atmospheric music, whether it be from their Death metal debut right to the more experimental nature of their Present day releases. Mandylion was a critical release for The Band - a make or break album. The debut album "Always" was a fine atmospheric Death metal release. The Band hit hard times on the followup "Almost A Dance" with the loss of their male and female vocalists. The music was great but the new vocalist didn't cut it one bit. Then something incredible happened. The Band found the best female vocalist alive today in Anneke Van Giesbergen.<BR>The Gathering wrote new songs and Anneke wrote the lyrics. Previous Death metal tendencies were put aside and the music was now more atmosheric. With Anneke's powerfull vocals, the music took on a hypnotic, haunting form with unmathched emotional beauty. Every track on Mandylion has an epic feel to it - like a chapter in a life. Emotions fly everywhere from the elation of Strange Machines and Leaves to the agony of In Motion and Sand & Mercury. The Band still used the heavy guitar and drumming, mixed with light ethereal keyboards. While The Band and Anneke became even better on following albums, this is their most immediate and powerfull work. Following the release of Mandylion, many acts where inspired to take on a similar style: Strong female vocals mixed with symphonic rock/metal. Bands like Within Temptation, Flowing Tears, Lacuna Coil and Nightwish are just a few. Mandylion is a moving masterpiece that marked a second phase in the career of this brilliant band. Beautiful, melancholy... although simply Calling this album a "gothic rock" record is innacurate, it upholds one ideal of that genre extremely well. The melodies in these songs are gorgeous, sad and haunting... some of the most touching I've heard on any album (alongside works by Dead Can Dance and Aegis by Theatre of Tragedy, neither of which are as 'accessible' as this). They are framed in arrangements and a production style that is loosely progressive-rock styled, sounding a bit like Dream Theater in places. However, The Gathering concentrates much more on texture than on precision and speed, making them closer to Pink Floyd. Anneke Van Giersbergen's singing is at its most operatic on this album, but it fits in extremely well. This is especially so on "Leaves", where her vocal crescendoes may grate on some people, but they convey a great sense of loss and sadness right before the heart-wrenching guitar lead (which, as with much of the instrumentation on this CD, is very minimal, but fits in so well) sends the song into the spiritual realm. "In Motion", #1 and 2, are another example of the melodic power of this CD, while the instrumental break in "Eleanor" is perhaps the biggest basis for the prog-rock comparison. Perhaps the only drawback is that the version of "Sand and Mercury" here (which is still excellent) pales in comparison to the one on the Superheat Live album. After hearing and experiencing that, this version will always seem 'weak'. But that's probably the worst that can be said about this album! Faery Tale Metal People always seem to describe The Gathering as a melodic Band or a gothic Band or whatever. One reviewer described it as Faerytale Metal tho and I think that's quite a fitting description. The lyrics are romantic and the vocals are ethereal yet there are metal-like guitar melodies. What strikes you most when you listen to this Band is Anneke's vocals. She has a great voice. I've always loved hybrid metal bands and this one is no exception. I Love the way Anneke usues clear female vocals in contrast to distorted guitars. She's definately a great singer. Not to mention rather cute ;-) (altho my friend Maaike who met her says she's not very nice.) But that aside this is a great band. The Sand And Mercury song is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Eleanore is also a highlight. And the great atmosphere of Mandylion makes you totally relaxed. I normally don't really like Dutch music that much but I Love this band. Go check it out. Buy Gathering Mandylion at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.comJamster - the latest ringtones for your phone! |
