The Gathering "Souvenirs (USA, The End Records, TE035)"

Souvenirs is the seventh studio album by Dutch rock band The Gathering. It was released on 24 February 2003 through independent label Psychonaut Records; the label was founded by the band in 1999.

Souvenirs is the first full-length release from The Gathering since parting ways with Century Media, and the first full-length release for Psychonaut Records. The album was recorded at E-Sound, Weesp, Loud Amsterdam and A1 Amsterdam during 2002 and 2003 under the guidance of producer Zlaya Hadzich. The album was engineered by Zlaya Hadzich, Sietze Gardenier, David Klooker & Ignaz Bruens; mixed at A1, Loud & E-Sound by Zlaya Hadzich, René Rutten & Michael Buyens; and mastered by Alan Ward at Electric City.

Many speculate that it was the new experimental directions of the group, as well as the inability of the label to market them that signaled the end of their contract with Century Media.

This is the last studio album to feature original bassist Hugo Prinsen Geerligs until Beautiful Distortion which was released in 2022.

Track listing

All music is composed by The Gathering and Zlaya Hadzich. Lyrics as indicated.

1. "These Good People" Anneke van Giersbergen 5:55
2. "Even the Spirits Are Afraid" Anneke van Giersbergen 5:13
3. "Broken Glass" Anneke van Giersbergen 4:59
4. "You Learn About It" Anneke van Giersbergen 5:09
5. "Souvenirs" Anneke van Giersbergen 6:07
6. "We Just Stopped Breathing" Zlaya Hadzich 6:52
7. "Monsters" Zlaya Hadzich 5:02
8. "Golden Grounds" Anneke van Giersbergen 4:53
9. "Jelena" Anneke van Giersbergen 6:10
10. "A Life All Mine" Trickster G., Anneke van Giersbergen 5:08

Music videos were made for the songs "You Learn About It" and "Monsters".

Pressing the "back / previous track" button on your CD player prior to These Good People will reveal a hidden track called Telson [2:08]. This particular Easter Egg is an ambient / dub remix before the first song. There is also another hidden part clocking at 4:01 between Jelena and A Life All Mine but it appears to be blank and not playable. This is probably caused by defective mastering process.

These two tracks can be obtained by ripping the entire album as image file into .flac, .iso or other lossless format using Exact Audio Copy.

Recording information:

Recorded at E-sound Weesp, Loud Amsterdam & A1 Amsterdam.

Mixed at A1, Loud & E-Sound.

Mastered at Electric City, Brussels, Belgium.