Dutch band the Gathering formed in 1989 as a death metal band but started becoming more successful in the mid 90's when vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen joined the band. With the addition of the new vocalist the bands style changed to a more gothic almost grungey style and continued to progress into more of an atmospheric rock style sound.
The Gathering's 1995 album, Mandylion, the first to feature Anneke van Giersbergen on vocals became a turning point for the band and was one of the first albums of its kinds from a female fronted metal band and set a new standard in the genre.
In August 2007 van Giersbergen left the band in order to pursue other projects and was replaced in March 2009 by Silje Wergeland from Octavia Sperati. The Gathering released their first album with the new vocalist in 2009 and the latest album released last month.
Van Giersbergen has continued on with her own bands and also collaborated with many other metal musicians, including appearing on Devin Townsend's latest album Epicloud
Here is The Gathering performing Strange Machines in 1996 with Anneke van Giersbergen on vocals.
