The Gathering (Testament album): Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->

{{Infobox album

Name = The Gathering |

Type| name = [[Album]]The |Gathering

| type = studio

Artist = [[Testament (band)|Testament]] |

| artist = [[Testament (band)|Testament]]

Cover = The gathering testament.png |

| cover = Testament (band) - The Gathering (album).jpg

Released = [[June 8]] [[1999]] |

Recorded| alt = | =

Genre | released = [[ThrashJune metal]]8, |1999

Length| recorded = 45:48 |1998–1999

| venue =

Label = Burnt Offerings/[[Spitfire Records]] |

| studio = Driftwood Studio, [[Oakland, California]]

Producer = [[Doug Hall]] |

| genre = {{hlist|[[Thrash metal]]|[[death metal]]}}

Reviews =

| length = 42:40

*[[All Music Guide]] {{rating-5|4.5}} [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:8r6ompch9ffo link] |

| label = Burnt Offerings Inc.<br />[[Spitfire Records|Spitfire]] (1999)<br />[[Prosthetic Records|Prosthetic]] (2008)

Last album = ''[[Signs of Chaos]]'' <br /> (1997)|

| producer = [[Eric Peterson (musician)|Eric Peterson]], [[Chuck Billy]], Phil Arnold (2008)

This album = '''''The Gathering''''' <br /> (1999) |

Next| prev_title album = ''[[TheSigns Veryof Chaos: The Best of Testament]]''<br|Signs />of (2001) |Chaos]]

| prev_year = 1997

| next_title = [[The Very Best of Testament]]

| next_year = 2001

| misc = {{Extra album cover

| header = Alternative covers

| type = studio

| cover =

| caption =

}}

}}

'''''The Gathering''''' is the eighth studio album by American [[thrash metal]] band [[Testament (band)|Testament]], released on June 8, 1999.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20001207021000/http://www.metal-rules.com/reviews/june99_reviews.htm June '99 Reviews at metal-rules.com] Accessed January 30, 2021</ref> It was the first release the band had done with [[Spitfire Records]].<ref>{{ cite news | title=Spitfire Albums (1) ''The Gathering'' (1999), (2) ''First Strike Still Deadly'' (2001), (3) ''Days of Darkness'' (2004), (4) ''Live in London'' (2005), (5) ''The Spitfire Collection'' (2007), (DVD) ''Live in London'' (2005) | date=Aug 2012 }}</ref> Co-produced by band members, [[Chuck Billy]] and [[Eric Peterson (musician)|Eric Peterson]], this was the first album featuring new musicians [[Steve DiGiorgio]] on bass guitar and [[Dave Lombardo]] on drums. Billy, Peterson and Lombardo, along with longtime Testament collaborator [[Del James]], are also given composer credits on the album. It would also be the only Testament album for Lombardo, who had left the band not long after the release of ''The Gathering''.

''The Gathering'' continued Testament's transition into [[death metal]] which began on their previous album ''[[Demonic (album)|Demonic]]'', but it also brought back their thrash-oriented sound. As a result, this album has been seen as a return-to-form for the band.

'''''The Gathering''''' is an album by [[thrash metal]] band [[Testament (band)|Testament]].

==Overview==

Stylistically, this is much faster, heavier, and more thrash metal-based than the previous album '''''Demonic'''''. The over-all sound and general lyrical tone is darker and more evil in scope than previous Testament albums. Chuck Billy uses some of his most aggressive vocal approaches: nary a melodic singing style is heard. He also stated the speed of the songs was also influenced by Eric Peterson's playing in his [[black metal]] [[side project]], [[Dragonlord (band)|Dragonlord]], which is why this album is more up tempo than the previous album.

''The Gathering'' featured eleven tracks when it was released, drawing critic and fan acclaim for such songs as "D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)", "Riding the Snake", and "Legions of the Dead".<ref name="AllMusic"/> After release Testament embarked on the Riding the Snake World Tour to promote the album with "touring" lead guitarist [[Steve Smyth]] (ex-[[Vicious Rumors]]) and [[Sadus]] drummer Jon Allen. The tour ended in 2001 shortly before frontman Chuck Billy was diagnosed with cancer.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.nuclearblast.de/en/label/music/band/about/71065.testament.html | ___location=[[Nuclear Blast]] | title=About Testament }}</ref> As a result, Testament would not release another studio album until 2008 with ''[[The Formation of Damnation]]'', although they did release an album of re-recorded material, ''[[First Strike Still Deadly]]'', in 2001.

''The Gathering'' is the first of five albums to date featuring engineering and mixing work done with artist and former [[Sabbat (English band)|Sabbat]] guitarist [[Andy Sneap]]. It is also the first of five reissues that Testament has done with [[Prosthetic Records]].<ref>{{ cite news | title=Reissues with Prosthetic (1) ''The Gathering'' (2008), (2) ''Demonic'' (2008), (3) ''First Strike Still Deadly'' (2008), (4) ''Live at Eindhoven '87'' (2009), (5) ''Live at the Fillmore'' (2011) | date= Aug 2012 }}</ref> The album was reissued January 8, 2008, with an instrumental bonus track, "Hammer of the Gods," increasing the new track total to twelve. While "Hammer of the Gods" is listed on the track listing of the original American release, it does not actually appear on the CD. However, it does appear on the worldwide [[Prosthetic Records]] 2008 reissue.

This album also boasts an all-star cast, featuring James Murphy, Steve DiGiorgio, and Dave Lombardo with Peterson and Billy.

Album cover artwork for ''The Gathering'' was done by [[Dave McKean]] who also did the cover art for the two prior Testament studio albums ''[[Demonic (album)|Demonic]]'' and ''[[Low (Testament album)|Low]]''.

At the time of release, Testament had not done a music video since 1994's ''Low'' and was looking at possibly using live footage as a music video to promote ''The Gathering''. ''Demonic'', the band's previous 1997 release, had been handled by a distribution company that went bankrupt to the tune of $44 million which had stranded most retail supply in locked warehouses and off the shelves, seriously hurting the album release.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/Eric_Peterson.htm | ___location=Metal Rules | title=Interview with Eric Peterson| year=1999 | first=Evil | last=G. }}</ref>

==Musical style==

In a 2010 interview, vocalist [[Chuck Billy]] described how the free flow of ideas between Dave Lombardo and Eric Peterson was the "key and secret" to the album's overall heavier sound in comparison to previous albums.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/05/12/metalsucks-exclusive-interview-testaments-chuck-billy-on-the-new-american-carnage-set-new-album/ | ___location=[[MetalSucks]] | title=Interview with Chuck Billy | date=May 12, 2010 | first=Anzo | last=DF }}</ref>

Billy's aggressive vocal approaches and darker death metal sound were apparent on the previous album, ''Demonic'', and continued to be on ''The Gathering'', but it was the range and diversity that he achieved on this album that drew the highest acclaim.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/testamentgather.htm | ___location=About.com | title=Testament The Gathering | date=January 8, 2008 | first=Chad | last=Bowar }}</ref>

While the album's songs range from heavier [[death metal]] to a more melodic [[thrash metal]], it was Billy's ability to go from his distinct sound to a [[Death growl|death metal growl]] while blending the two that has been noted as a trademark of Testament.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

==Reception==

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-gathering-mw0000807295|title=The Gathering - Testament|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=June 24, 2005}}</ref>

| rev2 = ''[[Martin Popoff|Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal]]''

| rev2score = 8/10<ref>{{cite book |last1=Popoff |first1=Martin |author-link1=Martin Popoff |title=The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties |publisher=[[Collector's Guide Publishing]] |year=2007 |___location=[[Burlington, Ontario]], [[Canada]] |isbn=978-1-894959-62-9 |page=445}}</ref>

| rev3 = ''[[Metal Hammer]]''

| rev3score = 8/10<ref name="MetalHammerRev">{{Cite magazine |last=Ling |first=Dave |date=August 1999 |title=Under the Hammer |magazine=[[Metal Hammer]] |___location=UK |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=65 |page=77}}</ref>

| rev4 = ''[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]''

| rev4score = 9/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Albrecht|first=Frank|url=https://www.rockhard.de/reviews/testament-the-gathering_252051.html|title=Testament - The Gathering|website=[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]|language=de|access-date=February 12, 2023}}</ref>

}}

''The Gathering'' reached #48 on the German album charts, its only chart showing, possibly reflecting problems from the prior albums and a lack of coverage rather than weaknesses with the album.

In 2021, it was named one of the 20 best metal albums of 1999 by ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' magazine.<ref name="MHtop2099">{{cite web |title=The Top 20 best metal albums of 1999 |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-top-20-best-metal-albums-of-1999/2 |website=[[Metal Hammer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=March 6, 2021 |date=January 21, 2021}}</ref>

==Track listing==

"Hammer of the Gods" did not appear on the domestic American re-release, though the song title was listed on the album cover. It is an instrumental bonus track originally only available on the Japan reissue; however, it was eventually added to the Prosthetic Records worldwide 2008 re-release.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=84273 | ___location=[[Blabbermouth.net]] | title=Prosthetic Records To Reissue Two Testament Albums | date=November 6, 2007 | first=News | last=Archive }}</ref>

# "D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)" – 3:33

# "Down for Life" – 3:23

{{Track listing

# "Eyes of Wrath" – 5:26

|

# "True Believer" – 3:36

| title1 = D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)

# "3 Days in Darkness" – 4:41

| writer1 = [[Chuck Billy]], [[Eric Peterson (musician)|Eric Peterson]]

# "Legions of the Dead" – 2:37

#| "Carefullength1 What You Wish For" –= 3:3034

| title2 = Down for Life

# "Riding the Snake" – 4:13

| writer2 = Billy, Peterson

# "Allegiance" – 2:37

| length2 = 3:23

# "Sewn Shut Eyes" – 4:15

| title3 = Eyes of Wrath

# "Fall of [[Dailey Islands|Sipledome]]" – 4:48

| writer3 = Billy, [[Del James]], Peterson

# "Hammer of the Gods" – 3:11

| length3 = 5:26

| title4 = True Believer

| writer4 = Peterson, Derrick Ramirez

| length4 = 3:36

| title5 = 3 Days in Darkness

| writer5 = Billy, James, Peterson

| length5 = 4:41

| title6 = Legions of the Dead

| writer6 = Peterson

| length6 = 2:37

| title7 = Careful What You Wish For

| writer7 = Billy, James, [[Dave Lombardo]], Peterson

| length7 = 3:30

| title8 = Riding the Snake

| writer8 = Billy, Peterson

| length8 = 4:13

| title9 = Allegiance

| writer9 = Billy, Lombardo, Peterson

| length9 = 2:37

| title10 = Sewn Shut Eyes

| writer10 = Billy, James, Peterson

| length10 = 4:15

| title11 = Fall of Sipledome

| writer11 = Billy, Peterson

| length11 = 4:48

|total_length = 42:40

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese reissue and worldwide Prosthetic Records reissue

| title12 = Hammer of the Gods

| note12 = Instrumental

| writer12 = Peterson

| length12 = 3:11

|total_length = 45:51

}}

==Personnel==

'''Testament'''

*[[Chuck Billy]] – vocals

*[[James Murphy (metal guitarist)|James Murphy]] – lead guitar

*[[Eric Peterson (musician)|Eric Peterson]] – rhythm guitar

*[[Steve Di Giorgio]] – bass

*[[Dave Lombardo]] – drums

'''Production'''

*Chuck Billy – co-production

*Eric Peterson – co-production, engineering

*[[Andy Sneap]] – engineering, mixing

*James Murphy – engineering

*Phil Arnold – executive production (2008)

*Vincent Wojno – engineering (2008)

*Kent Matcke – engineering (2008)

*[[Dave McKean]] – album cover artwork

==Charts==

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|-

! scope="col"| Chart (1999)

! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position

|-

{{album chart|Germany4|48|id=28319|artist=Testament|album=The Gathering|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 8, 2023}}

|}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

*[http://www.testamentlegions.com/site/ Testament official website]

*[http://www.stevesmyth.com/?page_id=72 Steve Smyth website]

*[http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/label-label-Spitfire_Records-lettre-T-l-en.html#AlbumList Spitfire Records T section]

*[http://prostheticrecords.com/?cat=4 Prosthetic Records releases]

{{Testament}}

"Hammer of the Gods" is an instrumental bonus track.

{{Authority control}}

== Credits ==

*[[Chuck Billy (vocalist)|Chuck Billy]]: Vocals

*[[Eric Peterson (musician)|Eric Peterson]]: Rhythm/Lead Guitar

*[[James Murphy (musician)|James Murphy]]: Lead Guitar

*[[Steve DiGiorgio]]: Bass

*[[Dave Lombardo]]: Drums

[[Category{{DEFAULTSORT:Testament albums|Gathering, The]]}}

[[Category:1999Testament albums|Gathering,(band) Thealbums]]

[[Category:1999 albums]]

[[Category:Albums with cover art by Dave McKean]]

[[Category:Spitfire Records albums]]

[[Category:Prosthetic Records albums]]

[[Category:Death metal albums by American artists]]