The Gathering - Downfall

When I was given this double cd of the great Dutch band , The Gathering, I ve been wondering for what this release is about, when I took a closer look to the track list, a smile appeared on my face and thankfully that smile, remained also after the hearing of this promo.
\r\nSo, here we got a double CD featurning in total 27 tracks, from the pre – Anneke era of the band, an era that I consider a good as the after “Madylion” era. Most of the tracks are from the two first demos of the band “An Imaginary Symphony” (1991), “Moonlight Archer” (1992), also from the never – released 7’’ of the band plus some rehearsal recordings and unreleased tracks from 1989 until 1992 where the band released it’s first opus “Always”
\r\nAll the vocals (Clean and brutal) are made by Bart Smits, the first vocalist of the band. In that particular era The Gathering used to play a slow tempo death doom metal, with some more “darkwave” elements. I assure you that the feeling of listening the demo versions of classic tracks like, “In Sickness And Health”, “Gaya’s Dream”, “Second Sunrise” is really great.
\r\nOn the second CD there is also a cover to Celtic Frost “Dethroned Emperor” that it’s production is the definition of “Cult”.
\r\nI’d like to quote at this point that a similar compilation (including the two demos, the unreleased 7’’ and rehersal tracks) has been released in 2001 under the title “Downfall – The Early Days”, via hammerheart records, but the sound quality was inferior to this one.
\r\nSicne I mentioned the sound quality, a very important think to quote is that the restoration and remastering of the tracks has been made by the Swedish Wizard Mike Wead.
\r\nIf all of the above won’t ring a bell to get this compilation, i suggest to buy the bands fisrt album “Always” if haven’t yet.
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\r\nLampros “Witchfynder” Tennes
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