Oh boy, are you guys ready for some nostalgia?! 🙄 Anneke Van Giersbergen, the legendary vocalist of THE GATHERING, is back with her old bandmates to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their iconic album “Mandylion”! I mean, who wouldn’t want to relive the good old days of 90s alternative rock? 😴 As if we didn’t have enough reunions and anniversary tours already, THE GATHERING is jumping on the bandwagon, and we couldn’t be more thrilled (or not). In a recent interview with MichaÅ‚ ChoiÅ„ski of Poland’s Mystic Festival, Anneke spilled the beans on what it’s like to reunite with her old band and perform the classic album that made them famous.
So, what’s the big deal about “Mandylion” anyway? Well, for starters, it’s THE GATHERING’s third studio album, released in August 1995 via Century Media Records, and it was their first LP to feature Anneke Van Giersbergen on vocals. The album was a game-changer for the band, and it’s still widely popular today. But, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good nostalgia trip? 🚗
The Reunion
Anneke talked about how she had to “start again” after leaving THE GATHERING in 2007, and how she wanted to pursue a solo career and have more creative freedom. She said, “I didn’t think I had to unlearn anything, but I had to start again at a certain level, because a lot of people thought that I would then just go on the same level and I would go do the same thing.” Yeah, because that’s exactly what happens when you leave a successful band – people just assume you’ll keep doing the same thing. 🙄
But, in all seriousness, Anneke’s reunion with THE GATHERING is a big deal, and fans are stoked to see the original “Mandylion” lineup performing together again. The band kicked off their spring/summer 2026 European tour on May 19 at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire in London, United Kingdom, and they have around 30 more shows lined up in Europe, North America, and South America.
And, because you can’t have a reunion without some drama, THE GATHERING’s keyboard player Frank Boeijen is taking a temporary break from touring due to “personal circumstances” and is being replaced by Remco Van Zandvoort. Because, you know, the show must go on, right? 🎉
Nostalgia Alert
Anneke talked about how the “nostalgic” feeling surrounding the “Mandylion” anniversary shows is “very positive” and how it’s amazing that people still listen to the album after all these years. She said, “I think the nostalgia comes from it being 30 years old. So anything 30 years old which you locked in your heart in those days is… I see people, ‘Yes, yes.’ I have it, too.” Yeah, because who doesn’t love reminiscing about the good old days? 😊
But, let’s get real, the real question is – will this reunion lead to new music from THE GATHERING? 🤔 Anneke said that the band doesn’t have any plans beyond the “Mandylion” 30th-anniversary tour, and that they’re just celebrating the album and then stopping. So, don’t hold your breath, folks. 😴
In conclusion, THE GATHERING’s reunion is a big deal, and fans are stoked to see the original “Mandylion” lineup performing together again. But, let’s be real, it’s not like we didn’t see this coming. I mean, who doesn’t love a good reunion tour? 🙄 Anyway, if you’re a fan of THE GATHERING, you should definitely check out their upcoming shows and relive the magic of “Mandylion”. And, who knows, maybe they’ll even play some new music (just kidding, they won’t). 😂
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
