A few days before their two appearances in Greece, SolidRock talked to drummer, Hans Rutten, about the new album, the new singer, the changes in music and life and his memories from Greece.

Solid Rock: How did you come to the decision to hire Silje as your new vocalist?

Hans Rutten: We wanted to make a record with several vocalists, like Massive Attack, both male and female. It wasn’t really our goal to find a steady vocalist for The Gathering. But it just happened really. Silje came by one day. She was a very nice girl and she came to record one or two songs. But in the end, at some point we had her singing on six song. It was an accident really [laughs].

Solid Rock: So you weren’t consciously looking for someone with such a voice? ‘Cause Silje has a different voice; she’s more of a mezzo soprano.

Hans Rutten: No.

Solid Rock: You don’t agree?

Hans Rutten: I don’t like sopranos, really. We were not looking for a technical voice. The idea was to have a vocalist that would fit The Gathering, whether it would be male or female. We were open for everything really. Well, maybe choosing a male vocalist would be difficult because The Gathering became known as The Gathering because of a female voice. But we didn’t want an opera kind of thing, what so ever. We were in search of a vocalist who could be a rock vocalist but also a vocalist who could handle a lot of directions. Who could handle trip-rock orientated songs but also rock and metal songs. So it was quite a heavy task we put Silje to but she’s doing it really very very well. Her voice is really particular.

Solid Rock: Was any of the material on the album written before you had found a vocalist?

Hans Rutten: All the music was already written before we had a vocalist. Rene and Frank and me, we wrote and arranged all the songs just before we started the auditions or we worked some of the songs out fully during the audition process. That’s how we worked when we had Anneke come into the band too. We had all the material for Mandylion written before we had a vocalist as well.

Solid Rock: How happy are you with the album’s reception and of course Silje’s reception?

Hans Rutten: Very good. We were a bit afraid, ‘cause we heard a lot of stories, about Nightwish for example and a lot of horror stories on the internet, a lot of depressive and negative comments, because of the change in vocals. And we all know that bands like Black Sabbath have had a hard time. It’s a heavy task. And we had a good vocalist and that’s quite a heavy task. But people are really appreciative about it and they appreciate that the Gathering is back and it’s still the same feel. It hasn’t changed that much. And that goes for the album. We’ve had very very good reviews. So there’s nothing to complain about really.

Solid Rock: Most of you previous albums have themes. What is the theme of this album?

Hans Rutten: Well there is a theme. We talked to the vocalists when we were writing lyrics for the album and we have a theme but it’s more of a counter theme. It’s like this album was very city orientated. Imagine walking in the city with all complications, high notes but also lower notes happening in the city. It’s like observing those people in a city. And it could be in a park or in a harbor or wherever. It’s like walking in a city. That’s sort of the contact we had with the vocalist. And everyone wrote lyrics in their own way. That’s how we like to work really. Not too strict but relaxed.

Solid Rock: Over time The Gathering has changed a lot musically. How do you relate to those changes as a drummer?

Hans Rutten: Yes, it’s difficult. Some songs, especially when we play live ‘cause we play a lot of diverse songs from every album and it’s quite difficult because playing a song from “How To Measure A Planet” is different to playing a song from “Mandylion”. And it’s difficult because sometimes you have to play funky and sometimes you have to drum like metal. So it’s a heavy task. Sometimes it goes better than other days. It’s also very enjoyable to play because sometimes you play with double bass drums and sometimes you play with brushes. Yeah, difficult…

Solid Rock: So it keeps you on your feet?

Hans Rutten: That’s for sure. You start a song and sometimes you’re in the mood from the previous song. But there’s a lot of joy it in.

Solid Rock: So what are your plans now?

Hans Rutten: Well, we’re just touring right now. We’re going to play some festivals and we have a big European tour coming up, then we go to Greece. We’re planning to go to South America also, in April-May. Of course we have to do some festivals. Then we’re going to start writing new songs, but first we have to think about the theme for the album. But first we want to go out and play our songs, so we’re not really in a hurry.

Solid Rock: Do you still feel that the name The Gathering applies to the band, after so many years and personnel changes?

Hans Rutten: What I really feel is important is, of course it’s a gathering of musicians but, the name The Gathering is more important than the people themselves. People come and go, but The Gathering still exists and still goes strong. So that music is the important thing really, it’s not really about musicians. We don’t want to be three musicians on an island doing our own thing. We’re not really musicians who use a lot of technique, atmosphere is everything for The Gathering. So to say, The Gathering is just musicians is too easy.

Solid Rock: So what do you think The Gathering is now in 2010?

Hans Rutten: Indestructible [laughs]. It will always exist.

Solid Rock: You have two upcoming shows in Greece. What are your thoughts about Greece?

Hans Rutten: I love Greece! We all love Greece. Greece is a very important place for us, we’ve played there so many times. We love the beaches, the culture, the weather and the people of course. And it’s always a joy to be in Athens and Thessaloniki. So we were really looking forward to go back to Greece again. Of course it’s our 20th anniversary so we’re going to play a lot of old songs and by now I think we are a very well oiled machine, ‘cause we did a European tour also, so I think people can expect a very good Gathering [laughs].

Solid Rock: That’s great! Do you have a message to the Greek fans?

Hans Rutten: I hope you all come by and celebrate our 20th anniversary. And afterwards we can drink a beer and talk a bit with all the people in the venue. We will do the show and do our best so I hope you all come by.

Solid Rock: Thanks a lot Hans!

Hans Rutten: Thank you! 

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