The following is a review of this show and the PA show that I originally posted on another forum. Check the PA thread for my thoughts on that show.
Last week I saw The Gathering for my second and third times, headlining at Club Rebel in NYC on the 15th and opening for Lacuna Coil in Pittsburgh on the 18th. Last year’s NYC show at the Knitting Factory was probably the greatest concert I’ve attended, and I couldn’t’ve hoped for them to come back to the US so soon.
I got to NYC at about 2 in the afternoon on the day of the show and met up with George (drifting-into-oblivion) about an hour later. We talked for a while about various metal bands while he ate before heading over to the venue. About two hours before the show, Anneke came out, and I nearly fell over when I realized that she remembered me from last year’s lshow. She asked me whether I was still studying, and we talked for a bit. I asked her about her contributions to Napalm Death’s latest album, and she told me she was a big fan of the band when she was younger. I’d read this on the Metal Archives forums, and was curious whether it was true. She also told me that she sang some Pantera covers in another band before she joined The Gathering, but unfortunately they were never recorded. After getting a pic with her (see below, thanks drifting for taking it and sending it to me) and talking to her for a bit, she said she had to go back inside, so I thanked her for her time and got a hug and kiss from her.
Pic:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o133 ... -07_NY.jpg
A few minutes later Rifugium from the old Dream Theater message board arrived and introduced himself. I'd traded emails with him, but I’d never met him. I knew he’d be disappointed that he’d missed Anneke, as he said his goal was to get a pic with her. He proved to be an awesome guy, and I definitely hope to meet him again in the future. We talked about various topics until the doors opened, and I got a spot in the front row. There was originally supposed to be only one opening band, but two more were added a few days before the show. All three were absolutely horrible and horribly out of place, although Rifugium was able to get his pic with Anneke while waiting. Before The Gathering began, a photographer placed his gear on the stage in front of me and kept trying to push his way up to the front. When The Gathering finally started playing, the sound was way too bottom heavy, and it was difficult to hear Anneke’s vocals. The sound improved as the set went on, and the band’s performance was fantastic. Unfortunately, despite a very good response from the audience, they did not play their encore, which was supposed to be “Travel”. The venue was oppressively hot and seemed to have no ventilation, and I heard that they didn’t do the encore because Anneke felt like she was going to pass out. Later, a user on The Gathering’s forum said it was Hans who was near passing out, not Anneke. Anneke came out after the show, along with the rest of the band, who I met. I got another pic with her (thanks to Rifugium for taking and sending me this one). It was pretty chaotic, but Anneke made sure I knew where George was before leaving me, as I am visually impaired. After saying hi to most of the other band members, George and I headed back to New York City Port Authority where I waited three hours before I could board a bus to get back to CT. All in all it wasn’t quite as good as the show at the Knitting Factory in 06, but it was still a blast, and I am still completely blown away by Anneke in person.
Setlist:
Shortest Day
In Between
Liberty Bell
Probably Built in the 50s
Even the Spirits Are Afraid
Saturnine
Monsters
Alone
Eleanor
In Motion #1
Waking Hour
Strange Machines
Pic of me with anneke after the show that Rifugium took:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o133 ... G_0738.jpg