BEAUTIFUL DISTORTION

THE GATHERING founded in 1989, hibernates in 2014; returns after a break Dwellers; known with an atmospheric metal sound and the voice of Anneke making them stand out especially thanks to the famous 'Mandylion' of 95 whose laser lens I used. A progression towards a more experimental sound, Silje of OCTAVIA SPERATI continuing the magic with the Rutten brothers, how death can lead to proggy pop, triprock; an electronic soundscape for this 11th album which I find myself chronicling, a childhood dream come true.

'In Colour' plunges into the melancholy electronic ballad with Silje with a suave voice reminding me of the clarity of a JAPAN, hypnotic before a devastating orgasmic break like in the good old days of 'Rescue Me'; airy and warmly icy. 'When We Fall' repetitive electro, reminiscent of 'Souvenirs' for the pearl of tribal and unhealthy riffs; it's soft prog noisy without more, keyboards forward with soothing flute. 'Grounded' begins an airy spleen arpeggio then it goes on a basic crystalline rock where the pulled voice can remind Anneke and the sound of 'If Then Else' period; the riff is more energetic, pressing, guided by a solid rhythm; the rise becomes solemn between voices and choirs, pauses for a moment before setting off again with this perfect dreamlike mixture of keyboards. 'We Rise' with powerful chorus, rise that stands out; sensible title represented a moment of deep sadness of René it's won; Silje is remarkable for prolonging this and the ambient break before starting again on this melancholy spiral of the most beautiful effect.

'Black Is Magnified' atmospheric bucolic, melancholy to continue in line; crescendical softness à la ANATHEMA, acoustic piano and guitar moment, in phase with the PINK FLOYD 'Animals' period before a majestic luminous rise. 'Weightless' perceived dark tribal bringing the listener into weightlessness or trance depending; plaintive sounds, monolithic ambience until the drums come in giving more intensity and Aussie vibratos in the background; the magic happens with the hypnotizing voice. 'Pulse of Life' where the shoegaze is pushed to its extreme with reverberation of sounds, vocal trances and electro on a RADIOHEAD or a TIDES FROM NEBULA; cottony break and moving finale showing the diversity of the group on the melancholy psychedelic register, another musical paradigm. 'On Delay' small title great effect with this piece where the rhythmic base knocks out and makes you tap your feet; dark catchy ballad title to refocus and show René's signature.

An EP Interference is available with 'Strongers' to the bewitching rhythm of a thousand and one nights, between psyche and electro in front and archaic doom structure in the background. 'Disconnect' based on Silje's fearful, scratchy voice; melodic, melancholic, psychedelic title on a monolithic crescendo, brightened up by a riff from René. Then 'How To Measure A Planet-live Paris 2019' for a rereading of this anthology piece, underlining the desire to show the group's markers on 1998. A psyche-ambient musical sophistication on a bed of alternative rock and its derivatives krautrock, title which makes say that this EP represses nuggets of good classes and should not be left aside.

THE GATHERING have been a major band in the atmospheric-doom music scene. They come back here with a go-anywhere album taking from here and there sounds and atmospheres from their well-stocked catalogue. Over time the titles stand out from each other between his spatial, melancholic anthem and austere bucolic ballad where Silje transcended his pandemic isolation in beautiful way; an album not to be underestimated.