10 Essential 1990s Progressive Rock Music Albums
2. The Gathering - How to Measure a Planet?
Like so many of the prog rock greats before them, The Gathering decided to take their music to the stars with this space travel-oriented LP.
Released in November 1998, 'How to Measure a Planet?' sees the Dutch rockers dabbling in notable genres of the time such as trip hop and shoegaze to startling effect. While the eclectic, moodier sound was a hit with critics, fans who'd taken a keen interest in the group's heavier earlier work were left in the lurch with a record they felt didn't fit the band they'd come to love.
While the sales of the LP at the time reflected the frustrations of their fanbase, The Gathering's move into more diverse fare ultimately paid off, greatly influencing the shape of prog to come in the 2000s.
The move to change up their sound stemmed from guitarist Jelmer Wiersma quitting the group prior to recording. With just one guitarist on hand, the group took a keen interest in experimenting in all areas, taking inspiration in particular from trip hop groups such as Massive Attack. Blending electronic trip hop vibes with the sci-fi lyricism of prog legends such as Rush, The Gathering crafted one of the '90s' most intriguing progressive efforts.