One of my worries about investigating pre-Van Giersbergen The Gathering would be that I would still love the music, but that it would be ruined by the male vocalist/grunter. It turns out that while Bart Smits isn't going to make my top ten his vocal/grunts fit the mood. I don't think I'd miss him if he wasn't there I've never been a huge fan of instrumental music, but I'd make an exception for The Gathering but he is no party pooper.

Right from the start of their career the band have synthesised different styles with metal. Take "Heartbeat Amplifier" which has some prog-rock changes of style and pace, including some jangly Johnny Marr-style guitar. The eight minute "Her Last Flight" warrants every second of its running time. It will appeal to fans of Tiamat during their Pink Floyd phase. Keyboards have always been an integral part of The Gathering's sound, which is demonstrated during "On A Wave". There's a Dead Can Dance style of sense and wonder to "The Illusionist" and "Of Fountains And Pavilions". My only criticism of the latter is that it fades out after three and a half minutes I want to find out what happens next. Hearing these songs it's easy to see why the band would go on to cover "In Power We Trust The Love Advocated".

"In Sickness And Health" shows the heavier side of the band, but they never lose sight of subtlety and melody, even when the guitars are riffing. There are more loud guitars, mixed with towers of keyboard and growled vocals during "Gaya's Dream", at least to start with. Each of The Gathering's songs feature many moods. Despite its short running time "Always..." has convinced me that the album of the same name is worth investigation.

The rest of this CD sees less emphasis on the 'symphonic' side of things, for example "Second Sunrise" is metal madness, while "Six Dead, Three To Go" sees The Gathering indulge in guitar twiddling nonsense. This emphasis on the 'heavy' side of things continues on the second CD with a cover of Celtic Frost's "Dethroned Emperor". While listening to this song my three-year-old son informs me that it sounds like Darth Vader singing. There's a prog-rock sound to the keyboard during "Second Sunrise" mixed with motifs of the Middle East. The slow, symphonic passage is the highlight. This is the side of the band I love most. The next few songs ("Anthology In Black", "Downfall" and "In Sickness And Health") of this CD show the bands rockier side. Finally the album by seven live tracks from the era.

I'm glad to have the scales lifted from my eyes. It must be galling to be in The Gathering and see Anneke getting the most attention. As she's left the band, it might be reassuring for them to know that people such as I are beginning to realise the strength of the band regardless of the identity of the singer. Currently we are promised new music by the band, with a revolving cast of singers. Strangely my discovery of The Gathering's past has made me more confident of their future.