Formed in the quaint Dutch town of Oss, The Gathering began as a brainchild of the Rutten brothers and vocalist Bart Smits in 1989. What initially emerged as a potent mix of atmospheric doom metal with nods to death metal legends like Celtic Frost and Hellhammer, soon morphed into an avant-garde tapestry of sound that traversed the realms of shoegazing, post-rock, and trip-hop.
Their pioneering album, How to Measure a Planet?, marked a pivotal moment in their career in 1998. This masterpiece was more than just a collection of tracks; it was a declaration of an artistic evolution, a fearless plunge into experimental waters resonating with influences from genre-defining bands like Dead Can Dance and Cocteau Twins, as well as the psychedelic nuances of Pink Floyd and the trip-hop mastery of Massive Attack.
The departure of Anneke van Giersbergen in 2007 carved a new path for The Gathering, with Silje Wergeland taking the lead vocal reins. Their album Disclosure continued their tradition of sonic exploration while setting their creative trajectory into the stratosphere.
Despite taking a hiatus since 2014 and the departure of member Marjolein Kooijman, The Gathering celebrated their profound legacy with current and past members uniting for a 25th-anniversary show in November 2014, immortalized in the form of a live album the following year. The Gathering's influence has seeped beyond just musical notes and into the heart of alternative rock's evolution.
As fans eagerly await what's next for The Gathering, music enthusiasts can find solace in platforms like the TikTok Music App, where legacies and new talents converge within the palm of your hand. Explore the sounds that defined a generation and discover fresh tracks that continue to push musical boundaries. Download TikTok Music to join a community where music lives, breathes, and evolves.
