And if I do say so myself, they are quite underwhelming.

There's more news than that. They also announced their new vocalist, Silje Wergeland. Apparently she used to sing for a Norwegian band called Octavia Sperati

Someone needs to check out the songs and tell me how they sound! (I'm at work and Myspace is blocked).

The title track is pretty good, the other two are fairly mediocre though. It seems like they wanted a singer who sounds a lot like Anneke, which is a mistake I think. This new one doesn't seem to have a very powerful voice, but maybe the music is just holding her back.

When they said they were going back to guitar-based stuff I was hoping that meant something more like How to Measure a Planet?, but this is just as light as Home.

This Message Edited On 03.11.09

Damn it, the band is scared of getting a new singer. Instead of a fresh start they're going to blow it with bullshit hype about guitar-oriented songs and whatever and then release a huge turd...

The West Pole may be the first song from this band that I actually enjoyed.

Then you haven't been listening to the right songs.

The songs they put up are guitar-oriented, just nothing like their older music (Souvenirs is comparatively much heavier). I was hoping they would take a step back on this album and play to their strengths instead of trying to "evolve" again, but if these songs are any indication this will just be a pretty bland alternative rock record. I'm not giving up hope yet, but it's dwindling.

I can't hear this until I get home, but maybe it will be ok now that I have low expectations.

"Then you haven't been listening to the right songs."

I listened to If_Then_Else and How To Measure A Planet? and couldn't get into either of them.

Based off your 5/4.5 ratings I think you'd like Mandylion and probably Nighttime Birds too.

Yeah Mandylion is probably the one you would like most based on your tastes, maybe a couple songs from Nighttime Birds. And How to Measure a Planet? is probably their best album but it takes a bit of time to get into it.

I'm in agreement about How to Measure... being their best, but sometimes the only album I'm in the mood for is Souveniers (there's just something different about that album that I love).

Souvenirs was the consummation of their sound and they should never have strayed too far from it. It might end up being their last great album, even if it doesn't have to be.

^^^Well put. I just got home and am about to hear the songs...

This isn't bad. It is definitely better than "Home" right off the bat. Overall I like the direction. It's like the lush sounds of
"Nighttime Birds" mixed with the alt rock of "Home". I do hear the vocalist trying to emulate Anneke's vocal style, but at least you
know the old songs will be recreated pretty accurately live.This Message Edited On 03.12.09

This sounds like it was a struggle to make, but I like how the band is playing away as if Anneke never left. I would agree this sounds very much like Nighttime Birds meets Home. Going off the three songs "The West Pole" is not going to be as concise and hard hitting as previous releases (I'm one of the the few that consider Home the bands peak in development) but it hopefully will be far from the train wreck I thought it would be. This Message Edited On 03.12.09

Octavia Sperati? They aren't too shabby. Just woke up and leave for college in 20 minutes so i'll have to check them out later.

These guys are pretty amazing, but this looks slightly meh. This band has a had a lot of singers over the years.

It's growing on me. The West Pole is a decent song, but there is just something very underwhelming about the new vocalist's voice, it's a watered down Anneke basically. I was hoping they made a more dramatic change, rather than try to basically become a cover band...of themselves.

I don't think it is as much the new vocalist's fault as it a mistake in how the band have chosen to produce the album. A lot of the guitars on the songs sound murky and overpowering, Silje's vocals and Frank's keyboard lines sound thinner in the process.

It is a shame really as every single Gathering album up to now has been immaculately produced and well thought out. Still The West Pole is a pretty good track which means it might just be the production deterring me from fully embracing the new songs.This Message Edited On 03.12.09This Message Edited On 03.12.09

booooo

Of course, too, you can't really judge the production through the Myspace player. Especially if you just have regular crappy computer speakers.

Perhaps, though still, the guitars sound a bit too loud in the mix. On a positive note The West Pole has really grown on me. I hope the upcoming album has songs as good as that or even better. Now I'm waiting if the other two will reward close attention.

I actually enjoyed the other two songs more. It's the title track I haven't really got into yet.

songs were decent

Middle of first song I switched immeaditely to Estatic Fear. I dun know, I don't think I can really dif this band without Anneke. Kind of like Nightwish and Tristania although the latter remains to be seen.

This is their fourth vocalist, as long as the music is good it doesn't matter.. and the music wasn't all that good on the last album so I'm willing to give it a chance.

Home was great, this doesn't appear to be. As for the Gathering in general, I have two albums both which feature her, so I don't see them as the same thing without her.

oh, I actually started out with "Always" as my introduction to The Gathering because it was the only album there and I didn't know at the time that Anneke wasn't always in the band.

I think Hugo (their old bassist) leaving the band after Souvenirs is actually the more significant line-up change than Anneke leaving. Even though he is far easier to replace than she is, it seems like his absence is responsible for their newer music's lack of power.

I never thought about that, but it could definitely be true. I mean, he was around since their death/doom days. After he left there was just the one skinny-ass geek guitar player and the keyboard player left of the "metal" days.

And the drummer, but still.

Oh yeah, I forgot. That guy is pretty forgettable.

Home needs more love guys, home needs more love.....

Oh, the other songs have rewarded my curiosity now, Treasure in particular has a pretty impressive chorus. I think this is going to be another good ol' Gathering record after all.This Message Edited On 03.13.09

Home is ten tons of bland.

To be honest I don't understand why, I find it very similar to Souvenirs in the band's development and style, it's just more insular and intimate. It is a slow burner of an album. I suppose it depends on what music you like when it comes to listening to the album. I was fortunate to be listening to artists such as Harold Budd and Low at the time of its release. If you adore their music it's easier to unearth Homes pleasures. This Message Edited On 03.13.09

I don't find "Home" anywhere near the style of "Souvenirs". Home is a minimalist alt. rock/indie album with a bit of extra. "Souvenirs" has that, but mixes in shoegaze, electronic, goth, etc. Plus it just has stronger songs.

Ah ah ah, all subjective Mr. Spencer, all subjective.

But my subjectivity is on a totally different level... it's almost bordering on objectivity, maybe even fact ;)

But there are no facts, only interpretations, yeah I am ripping off the Nietzsche here but it still applies.

Question: does anyone think The West Pole will be available at popular/ local retailers or will this be a strictly European (discounting the UK) and Online release?

It is incredibly hard to find Gathering albums in the UK. I felt extremely lucky when I picked up Sand and Mercury (it still cost me a weeks earnings though) The West Pole better be good if I have to go on another goose chase for it. I'm not ordering from the internet at the moment due to certain complications.....

I'd expect that it would be available in the UK without any issues. I lived there until very recently and the FMV in Norwich had a great metal section and always had a nice collection of The Gathering stuff (I got "Home" there, actually).

News just in, album got leaked today I think