blindsider's Full Review: Mandylion by The Gathering (Rock)
When The Gathering released Mandylion in 1995, they accidentally spawned the female-fronted gothic metal craze. Though this was the Dutch band's third album, it was the first to dabble in a more mellow, atmospheric sound. More importantly, it was the first to feature the talents of female vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen, whose broad range and unique lyrics were exactly what The Gathering needed to solidify their appeal.
At the time of its release, there was absolutely nothing around that sounded like Mandylion. It was the first of its kind, and though its stirring blend of melancholic and uplifting sounds has opened the door for countless imitations, the magic of this album has yet to be duplicated. Even though The Gathering's music has taken a spacey, alt-rock direction over the years, when fans are asked to name the band's best work, the majority will respond with none other than "Mandylion, of course."
"Strange Machines" is the perfect introduction to every element of The Gathering's sound. It jolts the listener around with a searing, Celtic Frost-inspired riff, then slowly introduces Anneke's gorgeous voice in the best way possible. Few vocalists can match her passion, and even less are as versatile. She sings of wanting to accomplish it all -- "I wanna do centuries in a lifetime / and see it with my eyes / watch Jesus rise ... if he ever did.""Eleanor" has a progressive, cinematic feel. It alternates between moody verses and frantic, double-bass choruses, and it's certainly one of my favorites.
As Mandylion progresses, it only continues to impress. The wistful "In Motion #1" has a beautiful keyboard introduction and uses Anneke's layered vocals for a breathtaking effect in the towering chorus. "Leaves" has a strong classical influence, and it's my absolute favorite song on Mandylion. Anneke laments a relationship that is slowly decomposing -- "Cry with me, make my day / tomorrow, all will be gone" -- and she sounds simply wonderful. The guitar solo that appears mid-song oozes so much energy, providing an excellent contrast to the sorrowful feel of the keyboards.
"Fear The Sea" frequently changes tempos and the way each heavy guitar riff seamlessly collides with the next is something most bands could only dream of emulating. "Mandylion" is an instrumental, but it's unquestionably the most bizarre track on the record. Here, tribal drumming, strange Arabic flutes and electronica unite with the band's traditional gothic elements -- and everything's pulled off really well. Anneke's voice appears temporarily, reduced to a faint murmur in the background to provide a creepier effect.
Without a doubt, "Sand & Mercury" is the most dramatic song on Mandylion. It is ten minutes long, and is divided into three parts (much like Nightwish's "Ghost Love Score" that would come years later, but subtract any hints of opera). For the first few minutes, it's nothing more than straight-up heavy music: lots of satisfyingly crunchy guitar parts and such. Anneke appears six minutes into the track, and when she does, things take a swift turn into the atmospheric realm. Each part is very distinctive, and the sudden switch doesn't feel forced or odd at all. The last two minutes are tranquil, yet they contribute such an adventurous feel to the song at the same time.
Sealing the deal is "In Motion #2". It's decidedly more aggressive than "In Motion #1", not necessarily in terms of the guitars or drums, but in the case of Anneke's voice. The song does a fantastic job of bringing an aura of closure to Mandylion, with its transitions from dreamy to heavy that occur within a split second. This may be the album's most "progressive" and "epic" song due to those transitions alone -- it's difficult to tell which direction The Gathering wants to pull you in. The pure magic of the element of surprise never fades, regardless of how many times one may listen to this song.
Mandylion is a MUST-HAVE for anyone who loves metal bands with female singers, period. This album is eleven years old, and I'll be the first to tell you that it's aged quite well. Anneke van Giersbergen's voice is a wonder that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime, and The Gathering has proven time and time again that they can pull off heavy, dramatic, soothing, ambient, timeless music like no others can. This is a classic. Get your hands on it as soon as possible.
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