The Gathering - If-then-else -2000- -eac-flac- //top\\

"Why do you do it, Jules?" Elias remembered asking. "It takes up so much space. A 128kbps MP3 sounds fine."

The music took him back. He remembered sitting in Julian’s room in 2000, surrounded by towers of CDs, the glow of the CRT monitor illuminating his brother’s face as he meticulously checked log files for errors.

The Gathering. A Dutch rock band, progressive, atmospheric. The Album: if-then-else . The year 2000. A transitional time. The Code: EAC (Exact Audio Copy). FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec).

By 2000, The Gathering had fully transitioned away from their doom metal roots established in the early 1990s. Building on the atmospheric foundations of Mandylion (1995) and the experimental trippiness of How to Measure a Planet? (1998), if_then_else took its title from the computer programming conditional statement. The title perfectly mirrors the album's core themes: isolation in a modernizing, automated world, emotional crossroads, and the rapid pace of late-20th-century life.

When listening to an EAC-FLAC rip of if_then_else , the sonic benefits are immediately apparent: The Gathering - if-then-else -2000- -EAC-FLAC-

This reissue is a treasure for collectors. It has been specially remastered for the vinyl format, comes in a gatefold cover with renewed original artwork, and includes a full-color printed inner sleeve with lyrics and credits. The vinyl itself has been pressed in various colors, including gold and moss green, making it not just a listening experience but a collectible piece of art. This reissue confirms the album's enduring legacy, ensuring new generations can discover its nuanced brilliance in the highest fidelity possible.

Released in the summer of 2000, The Gathering's sixth studio album, if_then_else , marked a pivotal moment in the Dutch band's evolution. Transitioning further away from their gothic-doom roots toward a more sophisticated, alternative, and atmospheric rock sound, the album showcased a matured band at the height of its creative powers. For audiophiles and collectors, seeking out a high-quality FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) rip—ideally created with EAC (Exact Audio Copy)—is the premier way to experience this masterpiece's intricate production. The Sound of 2000: Atmospheric and Emotional

In the digital archiving community, is the gold standard for ripping CDs. When you see "The Gathering - if-then-else -2000- -EAC-FLAC-," it signals a specific level of quality:

Following the sprawling, 70-minute epic How to Measure a Planet? (1998), expectations were high. Recorded between January and March 2000 at the aptly named Koeienverhuurbedrijf (Cow Moving Company) Studio in Doetinchem, the Netherlands, the album was a conscious refinement. Produced by Zlaya Hadzich and engineered by Dick Kemper, it was mixed and mastered by Attie Bauw (who would later work on Souvenirs ) at his Bauwhaus Studio in Amsterdam, giving the record a crisp, modern sheen that suited its hybrid nature. Released on July 3, 2000 (with a North American release on July 25) via Century Media Records, if_then_else was a statement of intent. "Why do you do it, Jules

In the year 2000, the musical landscape was undergoing a massive seismic shift. The grand, symphonic Gothic metal movement of the late 1990s was splintering, and heavy music was forced to either adapt or become a relic of the past. Standing at the absolute forefront of this sonic evolution was the Dutch band The Gathering.

However, if_then_else was an even bolder departure. Following the expansive, experimental double album How to Measure a Planet? (1998), the band streamlined their approach. The result was an album defined by a focus on concise songwriting, rich textures, and a newfound embrace of electronic and progressive rock elements. This was not the metal of their past but a mature, introspective, and deeply atmospheric rock record.

: Built on an infectious electronic groove that explores themes of fragile relationships.

) to describe the mechanical, repetitive, and often cynical nature of existence and personal relationships. Introspection: He remembered sitting in Julian’s room in 2000,

: A softer, trip-hop-influenced track that demonstrates the band's evolution away from their metal roots. Production & Sound

Are you a collector of The Gathering? Do you have the "Who Can You Trust" promo CD in FLAC? Let the archiving continue.

The album solidified their "Trip-Rock" sound, blending alternative rock with trip-hop influences, atmospheric electronics, and wall-of-sound production similar to Radiohead. The "Transitional" Link: