A Noise Severe cover

A Noise Severe

The Gathering · 2007

123 min · 19 tracks · alternative rock

A melancholic blend of gothic metal and atmospheric rock, underscored by haunting melodies and intricate instrumentation.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Shortest Day Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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    Liberty Bell — This track encapsulates the album's atmospheric essence with its haunting vocals and evocative lyrics that explore themes of freedom and confinement.
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    Probably Built in the Fifties — A standout for its reflective lyrics and dynamic structure, this song contrasts nostalgia with a sense of longing, showcasing the band's lyrical depth.
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    Monsters — With its powerful instrumentation and emotionally charged vocal delivery, this track exemplifies the band's ability to blend heaviness with vulnerability.
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    Alone — This song highlights the album's thematic exploration of solitude, featuring a poignant melody that complements its introspective lyrics beautifully.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album features intricate arrangements and emotional vocal performances, creating a cohesive yet varied listening experience.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that gradually builds in intensity, setting a melancholic tone for the entire record.
  • Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, with guitars and keyboards intertwining to create rich soundscapes.
  • The last three tracks include a significant drop in tempo, allowing for a reflective conclusion that contrasts with the earlier energy.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • long immersive listening sessions
  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • wave-like pacing and flow
  • haunting atmospheric soundscapes
  • gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — Showcases refined sound and innovative songwriting, marking an artistic evolution.
Themes
freedom and confinement· nostalgic longing· solitude in shadows
Career context
Released in 2007, A Noise Severe is The Gathering's seventh studio album and marks a period of artistic evolution for the band. Following their 2006 release, Home, this album showcases a refined sound that blends their established gothic metal roots with more progressive rock elements as they continue to explore new musical territories.
Stylistic neighbors
Anathema· My Dying Bride· Paradise Lost

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Shortest Day Start here 4:40
  • 2 In Between 4:34
  • 3 Liberty Bell 5:29
  • 4 Probably Built in the Fifties 6:45
  • 5 Even the Spirits Are Afraid 6:04
  • 6 Saturnine 4:24
  • 7 Monsters 5:32
  • 8 Alone 4:47
  • 9 A Noise Severe 7:34
  • 10 Leaves 5:41
  • 11 Eléanor 6:42
  • 12 In Motion, Part I 6:06

Disc 2

  • 1 Waking Hour 6:01
  • 2 On Most Surfaces 6:33
  • 3 Strange Machines 6:34
  • 4 Adrenaline 4:34
  • 5 Third Chance 4:58
  • 6 Black Light District 16:17
  • 7 Travel 9:43

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata