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With all the hype surrounding The Gathering, one would wonder if it lives up to its billing. A solid album it is, but not quite the thrash classic that it is regarded as. The guitars are ultra-heavy, Lombardo is a madman as usual on the drums, and Chuck Billy sounds better than he ever has. However, many of the songs are forgettable, ending too early and not showcasing the bands musical talent. The standout tracks, on the other hand, are some of the best from their catalogue, such as "The Fall of Siple Dome" and "Sewn Shut Eyes" ( which has an awesome drum beat throughout its catchy riff.

This is most likely the best effort from this Bay area thrash powerhouse, closely contended by New World Order, but I cannot rank it alongside of other classics such as Reign in Blood, Beneath the Remains, or the Ultra-Violence. The riffs are all good, and as I mentioned before the vocals are top notch, probably among the best Ive heard among thrash. His style is almost a growl now, compared to his earlier performances which sounded more like a James Hetfield.

Nothing can be more badass than having Dave Lombardo on a Testament album, and he certainly shows up on this record. His drum beats are insane, and he sounds just as good or better than he did with Slayer. Definitely the highlight of the 90s thrash metal scene, this album is heavy as fuck and is quite enjoyable to listen to. However, do not expect a Reign in Blood.