by Eduardo RivadaviaAgua de Annique is ostensibly the solo endeavor of former Gathering singer Anneke Van Giersbergen masquerading as a band, and their first studio iteration includes guitarist Joris Dirks, bassist Jacques de Haard, and drummer Rob Nnijders supporting Anneke on vocals (naturally) and piano. Created in early 2007, sometime before Van Giersbergen's official adieu from the Gathering, Agua de Annique was ready to release their debut album, simply named Air, that October, and its atmospheric blend of rock and singer/songwriter intimacy won't sound like too big a departure to fans of the Gathering's final efforts with Anneke.