Gathering, The: Disclosure

For over twenty years, Dutch alternative/gloom/progressive rock group The Gathering has been impressing listeners with its distinctive sound and deep songwriting. As the main outlet for vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen (who is also revered for her collaborations with many artists, including Devin Townsend, Ayreon, and Anathema) until 2009, the quintet is often seen as one of the best acts in the genre. Their tenth album (and second with singer Silje Wergeland), Disclosure, continues the fantastic melodies and equally affective production; in fact, it's arguably one of their best works.

The band classifies the album as "…the most personal soundscape they've ever made. A great marriage between electronic and organic sounds…" Although somberness and bleakness permeate throughout the album, the production and performances are impeccably charming, confident, and enjoyable. Every timbre serves to complement the melodies, not outshine them, and the end result is a dense collection of beautifully expressed heartache.

"Paper Waves" starts things off wonderfully. Echoed guitar lines accompany dexterous percussion and haunting effects. In addition, Wergeland impresses right away; her voice (both solo and coupled with those of her bandmates) is exquisite. In fact, her tone is so majestic yet fragile that she seems to express the pain of a scorned female from a Shakespearean tragedy. "Meltdown" impresses even more thanks to its more sorrowful melodies and brilliantly restrained yet effective orchestration. Specifically, the way the horns add sentiment to the sorrowful crescendos in the middle is utterly awe-inspiring. Later on, "Heroes for Ghosts" (the longest track here) twists and turns as expertly crafted soundscapes and dynamic shifts surround the core rock construction. There's a serene intensity (an oxymoron, I know) to the way Wergeland's voice blends in with the music; it's almost magical. Of course, there are also the two "Gemini" tracks, which seem to lean toward a post-rock framework. Naturally, they share some of the same timbres and melodic qualities, and this conceptual continuity only makes the album more astonishing. As for the other tracks on Disclosure, well, they're just as wonderful.

Disclosure is a fantastic record from beginning to end; not a moment is wasted, and really, no track triumphs any other track. Instead, like all great albums, each song serves as a piece in a grand puzzle, making the album itself a grand statement. How it compares to the group's previous work is in the eye of the beholder; however, Disclosure is inarguably a musical jewel, and Wergeland certainly deserves to stand at the forefront.

Track Listing

1. Paper Waves
2. Meltdown
3. Gemini I
4. Heroes For Ghosts
5. Missing Seasons
6. See For Miles
7. Paralyzed
8. Gemini II

Added: January 2nd 2013
Reviewer: Jordan Blum
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 3042
Language: english

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