Critical Reaction
In a 2010 Interview, Chuck Billy describes 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. Eric Peterson at this time was also working on a death metal side project, Dragonlord, also possibly influencing the upbeat tempo and darker sound. In fact Steve DiGiorgio, Steve Smyth and Jon Allen would go on to later perform and release material with Dragonlord.
Chuck Billy's aggressive vocal approaches and darker death metal sound is apparent on "The Gathering", but it is the range and diversity that the singer achieved on this album that drew the highest acclaim. While songs range from heavier death to a more melodic thrash, it was the singer's ability to go from his distinct sound to a death metal growl while blending a path down the middle that has been truly noted as trademark Testament.
At the time of release Testament had not done a music video since 1994's "Low" album and was looking at possibly doing live footage as a song 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. "The Gathering" reached #48 on the German album charts, it's only chart showing, possibly reflecting problems and lack of coverage from the prior albums rather than weakness with the current album.
Read more about this topic: The Gathering (Testament Album)
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