The Gathering
Sleepy Buildings

May 2004
Released: 2004, Century Media
Rating: 2.0/5
Reviewer: Waspman

Oh man, SLEEPY BUILDINGS is right. This album just about put me to sleep. To be honest, I’m getting a little tired of The Gathering getting coverage in heavy metal press these days because it’s been years since they put out anything metal and yet they still sponge off of us for getting their name out. Not cool in my opinion. Putting out boring albums is even less cool. I mean, I wouldn’t mind so much if they were at least putting out albums that were good and worth hearing, but dreck like last year’s SOUVENIRS will just not cut it.

I had hoped that this live album would be a step back in the right direction since it covers almost all of the band’s career, but alas, I hope for naught. Each song on here is a dreary bore, only slightly more interesting than their last studio album by the small merit that there are at least recognizable songs on here.

Of course, Anneke’s voice is as stunning as ever, but that’s about the only decent thing on here. Each song is rendered just about lifeless by the band, to the point where I would probably have walked out of the venue had I attended this show. I mean, sure there are song good songs on here, but there’s just zero energy put into playing them that it’s just not worth it. For Gathering fans this will be a wet dream I’m sure, but count me out.