helterskelter.ca

THE GATHERING
1995 - Mandylion.
way more Helter Skelter.

August 22, 1995 - 2025: 30 years of: Mandylion.

A wave hits The Netherlands.

Now featuring new frontwoman Anneke Van Giersbergen, THE GATHERING elevates melodicmetal close to the mainstream alt-underground.

Rocking outta the black fog, these "Strange Machines" brings a different vibe. Suave cuts like "Eléanor" and the ethereal "Leaves" opens the doors to opera-metal. Mid-paced to primal perfection, the instrumental title-track for "Mandylion" travels from lost citadels into deep ritualistic Holy visions.

THE GATHERING's third vocalist would be the recipe for their classic line-up. During the post-deathmetal era, this new genre was setting in. A hot epoch, featuring morbid tales from CEMETARY, MOONSPELL, THEATRE OF TRAGEDY, CREMATORY and the British draconian icons of PARADISE LOST ...all beautifully spawned tragic serenades.

On the edge of melodic-doom and in the zone, this gathering of darkmetal would set the pace for the late 90s Eurometal ...in unison with both upcomming powermetal and symphonicmetal takeover.

THE GATHERING's next dusk meeting shall fly away into cloud nine ...with 1997's Nighttime Birds CD.

*
Mandylion = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbhUt3u5CBA&list=OLAK5uy_npOo6XzhNJa7AKwIKjsvKzfkP-7VuG-70
Pinkpop TV interview and live in 1996
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cF2kPlkVmFU
Live at Dynamo in 1996
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gndjynXia3s
some band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ayRfGFLI3I