The Gathering

Dutch alternative rock band

The Gathering is a Dutch rock band that was formed in Oss, the Netherlands, in 1989. Initially, they were associated with the doom metal genre, but over time their sound evolved significantly. With the addition of vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen in 1994, The Gathering shifted towards a more atmospheric rock sound with elements of progressive rock, trip-hop, and alternative rock. This change in direction was evident in their breakthrough album "Mandylion," which was released in 1995. The band continued to explore and expand their sound with subsequent albums such as "Nighttime Birds" (1997) and the experimental double album "How to Measure a Planet?" (1998), which showcased their willingness to push musical boundaries and incorporate electronic influences. Throughout their career, The Gathering has been known for their emotive melodies and introspective lyrics. Despite several lineup changes over the years, they have maintained a dedicated fan base and have been influential within the progressive and alternative rock scenes.