The Gathering – Disclosure

Releasedate: 12-09-2012; Label: Psychonaut Records
By: Martine Goffard

Disclosure is the 10th album of the Dutch masters of ambient rock; they have left their metal side far behind. This album is what you would expect of The Gathering. There is no surprise, just very good material with some sparkling hits.

As most of their production, Disclosure is not easy to describe as it’s more a feeling, a state of mind than actual songs. You are floating in a dream. The vocalist, Silje Wergeland (2009 to present), confirms with her hypnotic voice that she has all the talent to replace Anneke Van Giersbergen. Her sublime vocals float on the music, wrapping us in like a winter mist. We are fading in a fantastic world of melancholy and softness, like waves of milk, shining stars falling; for you never know if you are evolving in an aquatic universe or on a breeze in the sky. “Heroes For Ghosts” passes from a static ocean of sadness to the progressive light of a city’s dawn. Disclosure is a journey of overflowing electronic creativity. Sometime minimalist with the sad saxophone here and there, sometime more aggressive with the low guitar riffs as a dark background to Silje’s singing. The balance between vocals and instrumentals is simply perfect. “Gemini I” proposes retro-sounding vocals that burst out in angelic cries when “Paralized” mixes icy piano notes with warm light drums. “I Can See Four Miles” is the only true rock song here, bringing eerie chills to the fantasy.
Disclosure will rejoice a larger audience than The Gathering’s fans; it will satisfy anyone in need of serenity. As for The Gathering, It’s a new gem in the band’s illustrious career.

Line up:
Silje Wergeland – Vocals, lyrics & piano
Frank Boeijen – Vocals & keyboards
René Rutten – Guitars
Marjolein Kooijman – Bass
Hans Rutten – Drums

Tracklist: 01. Paper Waves 02. Meltdown 03. Paralyzed 04. Heroes for Ghosts 05. Gemini I 06. Missing Seasons 07. I Can See Four Miles 08. Gemini II

Links:
The Gathering Facebook