THE GATHERING SOUVENIRS ALBUM PSYCHONAUT RELEASE: FEBRUARY 24, 2003 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 27, 2003, MARCH 17 (GERMANY)

Since my promotional copy doesn’t include two of the ten songs on "Souvenirs", my judgement on the record shouldn’t be seen as final. I can however state that if you have enjoyed the previous albums by Gathering, counting from masterpiece "Mandylion" where Anneke joined as vocalist, you won’t be disappointed. On "Souvenirs", The Netherland's Gathering continues in the vein of progressive metal with electronic components they themselves have dubbed trip rock. Something I, as a fan of both trip hop and early Gathering should like, I guess. Sadly, I find this album to be a bit tedious and boring. Sure, it contains kick ass songs like "Even the Spirits Are Afraid", but also unaccomplished pieces as "Broken Glass" - which by the way sounds like an attempt to gain ground on Massive Attack and Portishead, hauntingly beautiful in a way, but still incoherent and incomplete.
I would like to be able to put a higher grade on "Souvenirs", but the eight songs I have listened to won’t let me. I’m sorry, as much as I like The Gathering, I also find them too eager to experiment for their own good. Too much thought and skill and not enough feeling and heart.
But then again, if you have followed the growth and development of Gathering, you will adore this album.

KALLE MALMSTEDT