THE WEST POLE

Well i've decided I like this album (haha). You have to understand that as a die hard Anneke fan I really wasn't even planning on getting this album. There's only one person I could see replacing her and that's Marcela Bovio and that didn't happen. Crazy thing is that Marcela does guest on one track which just sends shivers down my back to hear her sing for THE GATHERING. Like a dream come true really. There's also another guest singer in Anne Van Den Hoonegen (great name) who sings on one track.There's one instrumental (the opener) so that leaves seven songs on which we hear new vocalist Silje Wergeland a Norwegien girl with an excellent voice. I kind of accepted her after seeing a video of the song "All You Are" where she won me over. Certainly this album sounds completely different from the past few THE GATHERING albums. Gone are the trippy, electronic sounds and "in" are the more uptempo guitar driven tunes. A nice variety graces this album though.

Interesting that they begin with an instrumental as if to ease us in gently to the fact Anneke is gone.This is a fantastic song though, a song that's been playing in my head."When Trust Becomes Sound" opens with some feedback before that driving rhythm comes in led by the guitar.Hell ya ! Kicking ass ! Sorry but this is great stuff. "Treasure" is a good mid-paced tune with the ever-present guitars out in front. Vocals for the first time and I think i'm ok. Actually this is good. In fact there's something very uplifting about her vocals and this tune. Sije wrote the lyrics here. I tell you if this song doesn't make you like Sije nothing will. I'm touched by her here. "All You Are" is fun and when it kicks in after a minute i'm rocking out. Contrasts continue. Silje wrote this one too. Maybe she is very talented (haha). "The West Pole" was written by Silje (surprise). Check out the words though, i'm impressed. This is mid-paced with some bottom end but it sort of drifts along especially after 5 minutes. I tell you this is moving stuff. "No Bird Call" might be my favourite. Spacey with reserved vocals after a minute. I can't get over the thick atmosphere here, like layers of sound. Gulp.

"Capital Of Nowhere" is sung by Anne Van Den Hoonegen and she also wrote it. Acoustic guitar as vocals then drums and keys join in. Love her higher pitched vocals. Bass joins in and lots of atmosphere. Great sound 4 minutes in when the vocals stop and the electric guitar arrives. A thick layered sound here. "You Promised Me A Symphony" is my least favourite but it's still pretty good. It's simply Silje and keys throughout. It is the shortest track though at 3 minutes even. "Pale Traces" is where Marcela Bovio comes in.Tada ! Hey she wrote this one too.This is the longest track at 8 1/2 minutes. It's sad early then picks up a minute in. It continues to build as Marcela sings beautifully. Some violin before 6 minutes and when Marcela starts to sing it's so moving. "No One Spoke" is a Silje written track. Heck she wrote all seven tracks she sings on. A good beat here with keys and Silje's beautiful vocals. A calm before 2 1/2 minutes with some deep bass before kicking back in. "A Constant Run" is a great driving tune with drums out in front. Waves of sound in the background like mellotron, especially 5 minutes in where it's so uplifting.

I'm completely won over. I tip my hat to the Rutten brothers and Frank Boeijin. And of course the ladies involved who I think i've complimented enough.