Albums of Purgatory interview the Gathering's Anneke van Giersbergen

Albums of Purgatory: Firstly, whats the band up to right now?

Anneke van Giersbergen: We are finishing the full length album right now which will be out early next year. Also The EP "Black light district is out now, so we are working hard on the promotion for that release.

AoP: How would you describe the Gathering sound?

AvG: Difficult to say! It is always a mix of different music styles because we listen to a lot of music ourselves. We like to call it heavy pop music or even film music, because it has a lot of melodic atmosphere. But it is up to the listener to decide I guess...

AoP: How do you think the gathering sound has changed and developed since the original "Always..."?

AvG: As you get older, you listen to more styles of music, you see more things, feel more, experience more, think and analyze more. So the music gets more broad and sophisticated over the years. Which is good I think, because we can create new elements into our music so it will grow and differ each year and each record.

AoP: What sort of fan and press reaction have you been getting for Black Light District?

AvG: Both press and listeners like the EP so far. We are very very happy with this because we have been away for a while publicly, and working very hard on this new music. But you never know how people will react and so we are pleased that it is so well received.

AoP: Can you remember your first gig (how did it go)?

AvG: My first gig with the Gathering was in Zaandam in Holland. I was very nervous because the Gathering had already had two singers before me and we did not know what the reaction would be. Luckily the crowd liked it very much and it was a good beginning for all those good years to come!

AoP: You have been on some big tours and festivals over the last few years.  Which bands have you enjoyed playing along side in that time?

AvG: We liked our tour in 1998 with Lacuna Coil and Seigmen very much. That was a lot of fun and good music combined.  Also we played in the USA with the Misfits amongst others and that was a weird but cool combination!


AoP: What are your favourite "the Gathering" tracks?

AvG: The may song, the big sleep, Bad movie scene, Marooned

AoP: What are your favourite all time songs?

AvG: Munchies for your love from Bootsy Collins, Red from Elbow, Another lonely Christmas from Prince.

AoP: What was the first record you bought?

AvG: a Madonna 12inch "Dress you up"

AoP: What would be your dream band line-up?

AvG: all of the above!

AoP: What do you think of the position of metal and music in general today?

AvG: Metal has become music for the masses which I think is nice. It is good that  heavy music in all forms nowadays make it to the ears of other people.

AoP: Do you have any funny stories about the band you can share with us?

AvG: That is difficult... I think one of the most surprising and funny things was that once Frank our keyboard player made a speech to the audience at the end of a last gig on tour because he had lost a bet and so everybody thought that he would say a few words, but he was up there for 20 minutes telling jokes and anecdotes! And he is sooo funny! But as always with these things, they are more funny when you were there of course!

AoP: and finally, what do you see in the future for the Gathering?

Making music and loving it!!