THE GATHERING In Writing Mode

According to a new online post by singer Silje Wergeland of Dutch/Norwegian rockers THE GATHERING, the band will spend the summer making a new studio album. "We already have around seven songs we are working on and we are all super-enthusiastic about them," she writes. "We are in a very creative place at the moment; ideas are flowing!"

She adds, "We found a new place we will do pre-production of the new songs. Very cool and relaxing place.

"It is really fun for me this time to be part of this song-making process from the beginning.

"A few days ago Frank [Boeijen, keyboards] and me sat down with a brand new song we ended up really happy about.

"Today I am off to work in the studio with René [Rutten, guitar] on some other new songs.

"I can't tell you much about the direction of the songs, but I can say it is going really well! And one more thing: THE GATHERING never stops surprising."

THE GATHERING's latest album, "The West Pole", was released in North America on June 2, 2009 via Season of Mist. The CD was issued in most of Europe on May 4, 2009 via the group's own label, Psychonaut Records.

"The West Pole" marks the recording debut of new THE GATHERING singer Silje Wergeland, who was previously in the Norwegian band OCTAVIA SPERATI. It also includes two very talented guest vocalists, Anne van den Hoogen and Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION),along with other guest musicians.

Singer Anneke van Giersbergen announced her departure from THE GATHERING in 2007. She has since launched a project called AGUA DE ANNIQUE, which has released three albums so far: "Air" (2007),"Pure Air" (2009) and "In Your Room" (2009).