Release
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". 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 (ex-Sadus) drummer Jon Allen. The tour ended in 2001 shortly before frontman Chuck Billy was diagnosed with Cancer.
The Gathering is the first of five albums to date featuring engineering and mixing work done with artist Andy Sneap. It is also the first of five reissues that Testament has done with Prosthetic Records. The album was reissued January 8, 2008, with an instrumental bonus track increasing the new track total to twelve. While not appearing on the domestic American release, "Hammer of the Gods" as a song title is listed on the CD.
As of 2002, The Gathering had sold over 50,000 copies in just the U.S.
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 (1997) and Low (1994).
Read more about this topic: The Gathering (Testament Album)
Famous quotes containing the word release:
“If I were to be taken hostage, I would not plead for release nor would I want my government to be blackmailed. I think certain government officials, industrialists and celebrated persons should make it clear they are prepared to be sacrificed if taken hostage. If that were done, what gain would there be for terrorists in taking hostages?”
—Margaret Mead (1901–1978)
“The steel decks rock with the lightning shock, and shake with the
great recoil,
And the sea grows red with the blood of the dead and reaches for his spoil—
But not till the foe has gone below or turns his prow and runs,
Shall the voice of peace bring sweet release to the men behind the
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—John Jerome Rooney (1866–1934)
“We read poetry because the poets, like ourselves, have been haunted by the inescapable tyranny of time and death; have suffered the pain of loss, and the more wearing, continuous pain of frustration and failure; and have had moods of unlooked-for release and peace. They have known and watched in themselves and others.”
—Elizabeth Drew (1887–1965)