As of 2024,

The original CD is extremely rare. Pressings were limited to fewer than 50 copies. For 20 years, the only versions circulating on Soulseek, eMule, or Napster were lossy MP3s (usually at 128kbps or 160kbps) ripped by amateurs. These MP3s were missing the high-frequency harmonics (above 16kHz) that gave the ambient pads their "sparkle."

The Gathering is a famous annual demoparty (computer art, music, and real-time graphics competition) held in Norway. In 2000, a group named IFT (later known as "Ifthenelse") may have competed.

You’ll usually find:

If you see this album labeled as you are looking at a release prepared for the "audiophile standard."

Released in , if_then_else is the sixth studio album by the Dutch rock band The Gathering . It serves as a pivotal bridge between their heavy doom-metal roots and the trip-hop infused art rock of their later career. 💿 Quick Facts Release Date: July 3, 2000 Label: Century Media Records Genre: Art Rock , Alternative Rock, Progressive Rock