IF_THEN_ELSE

Another fantastic release from THE GATHERING. After the atmospheric and experimental "How To Measure A Planet ?" the band blends the sounds of that double record with the heaviness of "Nighttime Birds" and "Mandylion".The results are amazing ! I'm not sure if I like the more metal tracks or the atmospheric ones because both are so well done.

"Rollercoaster" opens with an atmospheric soundscape that is blown away 30 seconds in by the heavy riffs in this mid-paced tune.There is some orchestration on this one as well as double tracked vocals. "Shot To Pieces" opens with some distorted guitar as heavy drums and bass come into this uptempo song. "Amity" is all about the vocals as the drums beat slowly and steadily. "Bad Movie Scene" is fairly mellow for 90 seconds when the same melody gets much more intense. "Colorado Incident" opens with heavy drums and guitars.There is a tasteful guitar solo after 2 minutes. Great vocals again as well as hammond organ.

"Beautiful War" is an instrumental that is quite heavy and like the other instrumental "Pathfinder" there are french horns and trombone. This one also has aboe and cello. "Analog Park" features fender rhodes piano, drums and vocals, with some riffing later. "Herbal Movement" is a lazy, dreamy song as one might imagine given it's title. Also in keeping with this theme there is a sample from the movie "Alice In Wonderland". The song does get passionate before it ends. "Saturnine" is my favourite song on this record.The vocals are heartbreaking and the riffs come and go throughout the song. Violin is added as well. "Morphia's Waltz" has a waltz-like melody. This is a real toe tapper.

I still prefer "How To Measure A Planet ?" to this one but I highly recommend this recording. Anneke as usual can soften the hardest heart with her warm, angelic vocals.