THE GATHERING have finally announced their new singer, Silje Wergeland (OCTAVIA SPERATI). She will make her debut on the band’s new album, The West Pole. The album is set for an April 2009 release via the band’s Psychonaut Records.

Here is official word from the band:

“The waiting is over!!.

“The highly acclaimed and influential Dutch band THE GATHERING is finally back releasing their 9th studio album: The West Pole.

“The band set their sails for a fresh new era. During their past 8 studio albums THE GATHERING (celebrating their 20th anniversary this year) has showed that they have never been afraid of changing and evolving their musical style. The West Pole shows that The Gathering still stands amongst the pioneers of alternative rock music as they always have!

“After van Giersbergen leaving, the band started working on new songs and finding a new singer. Finally vocalist Silje Wergeland from Norway completed the band’s line up. Silje has been the singer of the Norwegian band OCTAVIA SPERATI for 8 years including several other projects.

“The West Pole also includes two very talented guest singers: the Dutch Anne van den Hoogen and Mexican Marcela Bovio (from STREAM OF PASSION). The West Pole is a very vital, atmospheric and extravert rock orientated album, with all the quality and power THE GATHERING is so famous for, also with many new elements. The sound is guitar driven, alive and urgent; a strong and beautifully coloured album with haunting female vocals. It’s produced by guitar player René Rutten and mixed & mastered by Zlaya Hadzich, who also did the production of Souvenirs. The West Pole is nothing less than a piece of masterwork!”