The Gathering Album: “Mandylion [Bonus Disc]”

The Gathering is, on all accounts, a highly influential band. So I have no regret in saying Mandylion, after 12 years, has stood the test of time and still floors me everytime I hear it, hence making it (at least in my book) a classic. Every CD they release is guaranteed to be drastically different from the previous and just as powerful. Even with their latest offering, 2006's Home, you look back at Mandylion or Nighttime Birds and just wonder how a band can stay so amazing and so prominent after so long.

Mandylion is the first Gathering release featuring Anneke van Giersbergen. Her vocals were perfected in later releases but the raw, almost primal feel she gives off at times on here matches the heavy yet always experimental music the rest of the band has to offer.

On a side note, I would buy anything with Anneke's name on it, she's just that good, but the band alone is worth the price of admission. Yes, when The Gathering is heavy they're great but it's on songs like In Motion #1, Leaves, and Mandylion that they really show what they can do. So for me to say that a band alone is worth buying a CD, I dunno, it just doesn't happen that often so I figure it means something.

Song selection is spot on throughout. Strange Machines starts off with a bang that doesn't let up until the final notes are played. Eleanor follows in about the same vein as Strange Machines what with the heaviness, however the drums really catch your ear when you listen to them. In Motion #1 shows the group's more experimental side off well, seeing the entire band really play off of each other. Leaves is owned by Anneke even though the guitar riffs often sport an epic feel. Fear The Sea sees Anneke pull off some nifty vocals but it's the one song that doesn't really fit with the overall outcome. Make no mistake, it's a great song and serves The Gathering catalog justice but maybe it would've fit better on Nighttime Birds? Mandylion is the most experimental track included. From the very beginning you know it's gonna be an interesting listen and it fulfills that notion completely. Sand & Mercury starts off as a somber song but gains momentum to rival even the greatest tracks offered on the CD. And finally, rounding out the CD we are greeted with my personal favorite, In Motion #2. It basically takes the best aspects of the entire disc and combines them. You've got Anneke sounding perfect (you know, the norm), the band moves from light to heavy, and there's even some strings worked in the mix.

As for the bonus disc, highly recommended. If there's one thing I've learned from hearing The Gathering over the years (and especially after hearing 2005's Accessories: Rarities & B-Sides) it's to expect the demos to have as much, if not more, passion than the original. Make no mistake, the originals usually shine brighter than the demos but hearing the rough versions makes you appreciate the final product that much more. Special mention goes to Solar Glider...amazing.

My favorite songs are Strange Machines, In Motion #1 & 2, Leaves, and Sand & Mercury. For Anneke making such a strong vocal debut with the band on Mandylion it's hard to believe she only gets better with each passing CD. However, Mandylion is a fine start for any newcomer and without a doubt is sure to go down as a classic by any means.

Mandylion was the beginning of the new sound for the Gathering. The mix of hard rock guitars, textured keyboard layers and beautiful female vocals is amazing. Although about 13 years old this album is an equal to new albums like Within Temptations The Heart of Everything and Lacuna Coils Karmacode and Comalies. Lacuna Coil was the first band I discovered in this mostly European Genre.

The songs Strange Machines and Eleanor are very powerful and remind me alot of Within Temptation. In Motion #1 reminds me more of early Lacuna Coil. Sand And Mercury has a similar sound to some of the material on the Anti-M CD Damage (check the songs Rage and Damage in the Dream if you have itunes). But overall the album is unique and doesn't sound "like" any other band.

Mandylion is a good entry album for someone who has never listened to them before. If you like this album Nighttime birds is a good second choice. Another band of interest would be Nightwish. A little more symphonic metal than the gathering but the album Once is quite good (check songs Siren and Nemo).

Mandylion is by far one of their best.

this album is a treasure. listen to it and you'll feel like you've fallen into a beautiful dream. theres not much else to say because its all been said, but if you love good music then you owe it to yourself to pick this up.

When you first hear Anneke on the opening track "Strange Machines" it is such a beautiful sound that you can't imagine anything else on here could even compare, but as each song goes on and you get into the flow of the music, the continuation, and the changes that take place; you realize you are on a fantastic journey into a masterpiece of an album. You are not looking for a single with hooks and chorus that are played over and over on the radio day after day; you are looking for pieces of a puzzle that lead you to the complete picture of perfection and an underlying beauty that was there from the start.

There are sounds on here I hear out of the blue during the day, as clear as day, and there is a haunting melody that has to be heard over and over till you are tired of such delightful sounds. This to me is really the final destination of the Gatherings ever evolving sound, it would hit it's pinnacle on Mandylion and Nighttime Birds which followed a couple years later.

Very inspirational symphonic metal I guess it's referred to most often with female vocals featured throughout, done many years before it would become the norm, the formula has been tweaked and things have been added and taken away, but for me no one ever did it as good as the Gathering did it back in 1995-1997.

Good example of this doom european rock, but it is not my style. Maybe they have better examples.