Still this musically groundbreaking Dutch band pursues its own musical visions with much determination. You never exactly know what you will get but on the other hand THE GATHERING rarely change their style radically. And so they do not on their 8th regular full-length entitled Home. It ranges in fields one might know from previous releases, though Home has a completely different mood and instrumentation as Souvenirs three years ago for example. And… a sneaking suspicion emerges that THE GATHERING might have exhausted their current stylistics, that it’s time for the next metamorphosis.
With the first listening I got the feeling that Home falls off compared with previous releases. It sounds edgy and unwieldy, though I was bound to push the repeat button again and again. This album is addictive, despite of its weaknesses. And at the end, there is nothing to nag about the songs itself, polished and sophisticated in details.
Home is minimal orchestrated but somehow develops a harsher note sharply contrasted by Anneke van Giersbergens high-strung voice. Here she noticeably reaches her limit of capacity. In these spheres her voice sounds weak and powerless and sometimes just squeaky. I wish, she would have cut out these regions, since she already spans a wide range with her voice. And again… it’s just Waking Hour, which is my favorite song on Home.
For the harsher, edgier approach I think the bass playing of Marjolein Kooijman is responsible, also specially used samples and percussions. Rhythms are pounding, vehement but sort of restrained and exquisitely mesmerizing; just listen to the opening track Shortest Day.
What strikes are the epilogues on Alone and Waking Hour, which completely differ from the song when you expect the next refrain.
Afterwards it becomes very quiet and atmospheric till Solace attracts attention again, a song you wouldn’t have expected on such record. And Your Troubles Are Over, which again enchants with its irresistible and stringent rhythm.
When Home has found its regular end with the title-track another version of Forgotten snuggles up. It’s not essential and doesn’t differ too much from the original, but it’s a nice plus.