Artist: The Gathering
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 7/25/00
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Title: if_then_else Artist: The Gathering Label: Century Media Release Date: 7/25/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
The Gathering have no doubt gained many more fans than they've lost in recent years, especially in Europe (yeah, they're big in Europe... them and Spinal Tap). But I know many a metalhead that can't help but feel that this band is the personification of unrealized potential. Many would even question whether a site that specializes in metal (like, I don't know... us, maybe) should even bother covering them anymore. But for the fans that have stuck with them from their death metal beginnings, through their genre busting neo-metal, to their unique present-day sound, it's hard to let go.
Photo by Cynthia PelznerWhy is it that I find it hard to lose interest in this band even though I, myself, cannot even remotely defend the fact that their metal beginnings are all but completely gone? The only answer I can come up with is that, while their most recent incarnation isn't my favorite work of theirs, it is still very good. For the record, I don't stop liking bands just because they aren't heavy anymore. It is true that I'm often disappointed when a band decides to lighten their sound, but if they still make great music (no matter what kind) I'll stay on board as a fan. I have often made fun of bands like Metallica and Megadeth, but many have misinterpreted my rants as being intolerant of non-aggression, and that simply isn't the case. I don't hate Metallica and Megadeth now because they're softer, I hate them because they suck. My point is this: if you're going to "sell-out" (assuming lightening your sound automatically labels you as having done so), at least do it well. Many bands have significantly changed their sound and I still enjoy them as much as in their heavier days. Amorphis, Samael, Faith No More and Mr. Bungle are just a few examples, and for these reasons I've continuously defended the last few efforts of The Gathering, and this will not change here because their new album is just as inspired as their last few efforts.
Of course, Anneke's voice takes center stage again, as well it should, but it seems this time the guitars are turned up a little, and the rhythms are a little more driven than How to Measure a Planet?, even if the songwriting itself seems a little less inspired at times. Don't get me wrong, this album doesn't really have much in common with Mandylion, or even Nighttime Birds' for that matter, but it is, for the most part, more guitar-oriented than their recent material. To expand upon my previous songwriting comment, it seems that they are more interested in experimenting with more abstract melodies than trying to come up with anything that could be described as especially catchy. And while this does leave the listener struggling to stay focused at times, it never strikes you as anything but quality. "Rollercoaster" (not a B*witched cover, in case you were wondering -- if you were you are probably on the wrong site... oh, and don't ask me how I am able to make that reference, that's classified) and "Colorado Incident" strike me as the most listenable on the album, and, incidentally are the most guitar-driven as they seem to combine Mandylion's style of even-tempoed riffing (although it is not nearly as prominent) with the vocal harmonies that were so haunting on Nighttime Birds. Add to this a distinguished use of horns and synthesizers, and you have an album worth your attention.
Photo by Cynthia PelznerSo the bottom line is that I recommend this album pretty strongly if you liked their last studio effort, but if you're looking for another "metal" album to bring you back into the fold, this isn't it. Unfortunately, as good as this album is, I can't help but feel a bit sentimental for the older material. Because despite the fact that this band is very good at what it does, they were even better at what they did.
Death's Review:
While I'm not exactly a Gathering virgin (I saw them at Metalfest XIII, and have heard songs on Indentity samplers and from friends, etc.), this is really their first release that I have attempted to seriously absorb. I do know enough about them to know that the band has evolved from what was once something much closer to death metal, into this, something much closer to Pink Floyd meets the Cranberries. Does this evolution, which, from what it seems was basically complete with the last Gathering record How to Measure a Planet, deprive the band of all its worth? Hardly. This is interesting, deep, and emotional music. Anneke's voice is quite beautiful and accomplished. The music is well developed and the songwriting is complex. Is it metal? Not really at all. But is it still good? Well, pretty much... yeah, it's good.
Photo by Cynthia PelznerAt times I must confess I find myself listening to if_then_else and growing bored. It's just that it is really mellow I suppose. If you are inclined to rag on the record, you'll cite influences ranging from the aforementioned Cranberries to Alanis to the theme from the WB show "Roswell." But if you are inclined to catch the Gathering wave and dig in for a more involved listen, you'll hear the obvious Pink Floydian ancestry which gives the album a "Wish You Were Here with female vocals" type of feel which I, for one, very much enjoy. True, some of the album's chord progressions seem almost lifted verbatim from that record, but the spirit is genuine and the emotions raw. All in all, I am sure that there are people out there who are big-time Gathering fans who consider this record a work of art worthy of reverence and heaping admiration. That position is defensible. For me, however, it is a bit too "rock," as opposed to metal, to be among my favorites. Still, it wouldn't feel right giving such an involved and accomplished album anything even remotely resembling a bad score. So I leave you a confused yet impressed listener, which is probably just fine with the Gathering.
Hel's Review:
The first contact I had with The Gathering that I can recall was several years ago on Century Media's "Declaration of Independence" video compilation. I remember deriving two things from the experience. First, I remember thinking the song was pretty cool, but not really that heavy, particularly compared to Emperor and Stuck Mojo - the bands their video was sandwiched between. The other thing I remember thinking was, isn't this a band? So why don't they show anyone but the girl?
I'm a huge supporter of women in metal, being one myself, but the blatant use of the singer's gender and looks to try to sell the band put me off a bit. The real nail in the coffin however, was that they failed to impress me enough to prompt me to check out their other material, as other bands on the same tape were able to do. As a result, I never ever got into the band beyond the causal listen to songs on compilations.
Photo by Cynthia PelznerGoing back to one of these and listening to "Leaves" once I heard this new album, I was struck by how much heavier it was than what I heard on if_then_else. That's just plain frightening. People can talk at me until they're blue, trying to tell me this new album is heavy. I say, bullshit! My little finger is heavier than this fucking band. There is no way for me to classify this as metal, under the criteria I use to judge such things. It's more adult contempo than metal, hell, my mom would probably like this band.
All of the above said, the album is actually quite good. It is ethereal, rich and ambient. The music is well thought-out, with great composition and flow. For what it is, if_then_else is a great work. I will not dispute that, nor do I want to. What I do dispute, is referring to it as "heavy". When talking about metal, conveying a dark mood alone is not sufficient to earn that descriptor. While it's a fine album, it's just not metal. My mom probably really would like this record.
Rating Revised for Metal Judgment Anniversary
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