Virgin Black

Formed in Adelaide, Australia, in the early '90s, Virgin Black's lineup features Rowan London (vocals, piano, keyboards), Samantha Escarbe (lead guitar), Craig Edis (rhythm guitar), Ian Miller (bass), and Dino Cielo (drums). After a series of demo recordings in 1995/1996, the group began gaining international recognition with 1998's Trance EP, eventually signing with the End Records a year later. Boasting a complex, cinematic sound, both gothic and metallic in nature, their debut album Sombre Romantic followed in 2000 and saw their core lineup augmented by choirs and string sections in the studio, the better to embellish their grandiose mood metal. ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide