The Gathering are one of those bands that can stir up a conversation. You’ll have people who prefer the older, more doom/gothic metal orientated songs; and you have the ones who like the modern, sometimes almost triphop-esque rock. The only thing that would be ‘gothic’ about this new album is that the band recorded it in a church. Home continues the style of music that The Gathering has been playing since If_Then_Else; that of melodic and melancholic chill-out rock (hey that’s what I call it)

 

This is one of those reviews that are very hard to write. I could sum up cool parts from every song, or some great vocal lines, but the conclusion would be that, on a musical level, this is a very typical record for The Gathering. Which also leads me into my biggest criticism: I think its time for a slight change of direction. The record is a great piece of work but I am getting the idea that a lot of songs could be (very good) upbeat leftovers from Souvenirs.. The track “Waking Hour” must be one of the best songs the band has ever done but unfortunately it’s the proverbial pinnacle of this record. Somehow I miss the fragility of songs like “You Learn About It” or even a heartbroken track like “Saturnine”. Maybe I just need more depressing tunes. Or stop my addiction to alcohol. And let me take that syringe out of arm.

 

Personally, I don’t consider Home to be their best record to date. Probably because I prefer the more sad/melancholic face of this band, but it's often alot harder to write good happy songs than sad ones. But in the end, The Gathering are one of those few bands that have never really disappointed me, and ‘Home’ makes me believe that I’m right. This band makes albums that I will still listen in 20 years because its just good music. You can buy this without listening first and fall in love with it like I did so many years ago.