The Gentle Storm: The Diary

Dutch stars unite to up the symphonic ante

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As two of the biggest names on Holland’s rock scene, and having collaborated in 1998 and 2008, it was only a matter of time before Anneke van Giersbergen (Devin Townsend, ex-The Gathering) and Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One, Stream Of Passion and more) went the whole hog with a full-blown partnership.

Actually, the phrase ‘full blown’ doesn’t accurately convey the scale of what the duo have tried to achieve with The Gentle Storm. They make an odd couple – the towering, multi-instrumentalist Lucassen with a proclivity for space metal operas and the more demure lead vocalist van Giersbergen – and sure enough, The Diary is a fascinating double-set that exploits the relationship’s duality.

Though radically different in each format, the same conceptually linked 11 songs appear on each chapter, dubbed ‘Gentle’ and ‘The Storm’. The folk-tinged first half might be too flimsy for some Hammer readers, but fuelled by heavy guitars, a choir and lush, symphonic arrangements, the drama builds with act two. The Diary took an entire year to create, and it’s well worth the effort./o:p

Dave Ling

Dave Ling was a co-founder of Classic Rock magazine. His words have appeared in a variety of music publications, including RAW, Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, Prog, Rock Candy, Fireworks and Sounds. Dave’s life was shaped in 1974 through the purchase of a copy of Sweet’s album ‘Sweet Fanny Adams’, along with early gig experiences from Status Quo, Rush, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Yes and Queen. As a lifelong season ticket holder of Crystal Palace FC, he is completely incapable of uttering the word ‘Br***ton’.