The Gathering
- GENRE: gothic metal
- COUNTRY: Netherlands
Back when the so-called “atmospheric metal” was big, they were extremely successful. But they have never been eternally bound to the gothic formula. They experimented, changed, and confidently explored the nooks and crannies of the rock, trip hop and experimental territories. At Mystic Festival, they will perform with the legendary Anneke Van Gersbiergen, playing the entirety of the cult Mandylion.
History:
The Gathering started out in 1989. Their first demos and debut album, Always, were death-doom heavyweights with gothic underpinning. The aforementioned first full-lenght record caused quite the storm in Europe, so the Dutch toured like crazy. With Almost a Dance came a new vocalist and an even gothier sound. The record didn’t manage to meet the bar set by the predecessor, but the 1995 Mandylion (with Anneke Van Gersbiergen behind the mic) was, in turn, a huge success. The record sold like hot cakes and the band toured all over Europe. After releasing the twin-like Nighttime Birds, the band decided to pivot. On How to Measure a Planet they moved away from gothic metal and ventured into the uncharted, at times shoegazey, territories of rock. They’ve kept to this style and sound till this day. In 2007, Anneke Van Gersbiergen exited the group and was replaced by Silje Wergeland. Notwithstanding, for the anniversary concerts, Anneke has returned as a guest, touring member of The Gathering.
Discography:
LP:
Always…, 1992
Almost a Dance, 1993
Mandylion, 1995
Nighttime Birds, 1997
How to Measure a Planet?, 1998
if_then_else, 2000
Souvenirs, 2003
Home, 2006
The West Pole, 2009
Disclosure, 2012
Afterwords, 2013
Beautiful Distortion, 2022
EP:
Black Light District, 2002
City from Above, 2009
A Sound Relief, 2010
Afterlights, 2012
Interference, 2022
Demo:
An Imaginary Symphony, 1990
Moonlight Archer, 1991
Promo ’92, 1992
Singles:
Strange Machines, 1995
Adrenaline / Leaves, 1996
The May Song, 1997
Kevin’s Telescope, 1997
Liberty Bell, 1998
Rollercoaster, 2000
Amity, 2001
You Learn About It, 2003
Monsters, 2003
Alone, 2006
Heroes for Ghosts, 2011
Meltdown, 2012
Echoes Keep Growing, 2013
Afterwords, 2013
Paper Waves, 2015
Strange Machines, 2015
King for a Day, 2015
Travel, 2015
In Colour, 2021
Stronger (Radio Edit), 2021
We Rise (Single Edit), 2022
Stonegarden (30 Year Anniversary Version), 2024
Splits:
Out of the Dark, 1997 (z Samael, Moonspell, Rotting Christ, Sentenced i Crematory)
Diversity in Extremes, 1999 (z Nevermore, Skinlab i Turmoil)
Shattering the Barriers, 2000 (z Dark Tranquillity, Angel Dust i Borknagar)
Sziget Festival, 2006 (z Green Lizard)
Live albums:
Superheat, 2000
Sleepy Buildings – A Semi Acoustic Evening, 2004
A Noise Severe, 2007
TG25: Live at Doornroosje, 2015
In Motion, 2016
A Sound Relief, 2018
Compilations:
Downfall: The Early Years, 2001
Accessories: Rarities & B-Sides, 2005
Blueprints, 2017