Dutch band THE GATHERING have issued the following update from Hans Rutten:

"What an overwhelming response we recieved from all of you! This is beyond our expectations, really! On behalf of René, Frank, Silje, Marjolein and me, thanks!

We really didn’t know what to expect, but lots of people where really looking forward to hear a sign of life from our side. Thanks again! And I know we will not let you down with the album. We have finished The West Pole completely now. It was a monster to mix and master it, but it’s ready to be printed. New album, spring in the air, good times are here!"

Earlier this week the band announced: "Yes, finally we are back! Fresh new start, brand new home-page, new songs on our revamped MySpace, and you can order great packages at our Web-Shop right now!

But first of all I like to announce Silje Wergeland as our new vocalist! Silje has been the singer of the Norwegian band OCTAVIA SPERATI for eight years including several other projects. She did a superb job, as you can hear on our MySpace and new Gathering album The West Pole. More info about Silje soon. This album also includes two very talented guest singers: the Dutch Anne van den Hoogen and Mexican Marcela Bovio (from STREAM OF PASSION), and some other guest musicians.

What can we say about The West Pole? It’s a very vital, atmospheric and extravert rock orientated album, with all the quality and power The Gathering is so famous for, also with many new elements. The sound is guitar driven, alive and urgent; a strong and beautifully coloured album with haunting female vocals. It’s produced by guitar player René Rutten and mixed & mastered by Zlaya Hadzich (who also did the production of Souvenirs) and René.

I hope you enjoy listening our new songs and our new homepage and MySpace."

The West Pole (artwork on the left, click to enlarge) will be released on May 4th and features the following tracklisting: 'When Trust Becomes Sound', 'Treasure', 'All You Are', 'You Promised Me A Symphony', 'The West Pole', 'Capital Of Nowhere', 'No Bird Call', 'Pale Traces', 'No One Spoke', 'Constant Run'.