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Reviewed by Darryl Kirk

Gatherer: Heavy Hail

Reviewed by Darryl Kirk

Gatherer: Heavy Hail

Gatherer moved to Melbourne some seven years ago. This, the band’s second album, is a startling synthesis of well thought out rock and cunning production. The sonic depth here is so immense you can hear the space between the instruments like the space between stars. It brings to mind albums like Weta’s ‘Geographica’. The songs are by turns classic rock, sliding into a slippery breed of new rock, interlaced with sudden audio overloads that never overstay their welcome.

Ideas are bold, often delivering a chorus that seems obvious, but only after you have heard it. The interplay between guitar, voice and rhythm is entrancing. Big slow burner anthems in the style of Shihad’s best are contrasted with succinct rockers that take you straight to the high. Then on a dime they can flick to a downbeat and deliver you back to earth in the best possible way. This complex and heady brew of Antipodean rock is masterfully executed by a band totally in control of every aspect of their sound.