We The Gathered is a hardcore band from Johnstown (Pennsylvania), that formed in 2010. Their debut ‘Believer’ (2011) was released through Strike First Records. Since then the band has departed from Strike First and the Facedown family. This meant that ‘Daydreamers’ (2013) was an independent release that suffered from a lack in promotion and distribution. Their blend of melodic hardcore could be compared to Misery Signals or early Underoath.
Whenever a band drops off a well-known label, it may mean a drop in standards. But this does not seem to be the case here. This is a full-blooded release that has kept a high level of expertise and has great production.
It starts with Lance Augustine’s gruff growling in ‘The Realization’ and the twin guitar attack provides hardcore chugging alongside clean guitar breaks. “We must rise above what we have become / If we don’t fight for ourselves, no one will be there to save us / If we don’t fight for ourselves, the progress we have made will be nothing”.
‘Setting Suns’ has a hard driven edge, which contains a spoken word section. The second half gradually becomes more melodic and contains clean singing. This leads into ‘Daydreamers’ where the melodic guitar dominates, but leaves room for gang vocals and hardcore riffs. “We are daydreamers, with aspirations that touch the sky / We are daydreamers, now I know this is where we lie”.
The ‘Interlude’ has gently chiming guitars followed by regular riffing and rock drumming. Then its back to more melodic hardcore in ‘Orphaned’ and the internal struggle for identity. “Separation of who we are, an orphan to this world / Separation of all we know, I am an orphan to myself”. It flows into ‘Keeping Peace’ as if it is the second part of the song, before ramping up the intensity. “Don’t push your weight on me / Your judgement comes from nothing but your own pride”.
This is followed by the straight hardcore of ‘Post Abandoned’ and ‘Madison’. There is a second interlude led by gentle keyboards before the final ‘Kicking and Screaming’ with its barely restrained hostility. “I hope the path you take doesn’t lose you / We never used to use the words love and hate / and now it seems that is all we are made of / I swore I would never forgive this”.
Rating: 8/10
Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby
Tracklist:
1. The Realization
2. Setting Suns
3. Daydreamers
4. Interlude
5. Orphaned
6. Keeping Peace
7. Post-Abandoned
8. Madison
9. Interlude ll
10. Kicking and Screaming
Band members:
Lance
Randy
Kyle
Josh
Spencer
Record Label: Independent, March 2013
Studio albums:
Believer [2011]
Daydreamers [2013]
Weblinks: Facebook / Bandcamp / Twitter
Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission
USA: Metal Helm
Video below ‘Setting Suns’