The Gathering released their third album (and first to feature Anneke van Giersbergen) "Mandylion" in 1995 through Century Media; proving to be their breakthrough and selling over 130,000 copies in Europe. Two singles were released from "Mandylion", "Adrenaline/Leaves" and "Strange Machines" (which charted in the Netherlands) further helped raise the group's popularity in Europe and the United States. Tours of Belgium and Germany, as well as appearances at the Dynamo Open Air and Pinkpop Festivals further established the bands presence in the European metal scene. 1997's "Nighttime Birds" was stylistically and musically a companion piece to "Mandylion" sold over 90,000 copies and saw the group tour throughout Europe.