Gothic Metal

Vital Remains is a blackened death metal band from Rhode Island, USA formed in 1989. Influenced by the likes of Venom, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, Sodom and Destruction. Originally comprised of guitarists Paul Flynn and Tony Lazaro, vocalist Jeff Gruslin, bassist Tom Supkow, and drummer Chris Dupont, the group has been through several line-up changes and record labels over the years. A pair of demos (1989's "Reduced to Ashes" and 1990's "Excruciating Pain") led to a contract with French label Thrash Records, who in turn released "The Black Mass" in 1991.

Epica is a symphonic metal band from The Netherlands, founded in 2003 by guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen subsequent to his departure from After Forever. The band currently consists of Simone Simons (vocals), Mark Jansen (guitars, vocals), Isaac Delahaye (guitar), Yves Huts (bass), Coen Janssen (keyboards, synthesizer), and Ariën van Weesenbeek (drums). In early 2002, Mark Jansen left After Forever due to creative differences and began looking for musicians to integrate a new musical project, initially named Sahara Dust.

Stream of Passion is a progressive metal band with symphonic metal influence founded by Arjen Anthony Lucassen and Marcela Bovio in 2005 in The Netherlands. The band currently consists of vocalist, lyricist, and violinist Marcela Bovio, bassist Johan van Stratum, keyboardist Jeffrey Revet, guitarist Eric Hazebroek, guitarist Stephan Schultz, and drummer Martijn Peters. It all started with Ayreon's frontman Arjen Anthony Lucassen being impressed by a recording he received from Marcela Bovio, the lead singer of Elfonía.

The name Artifact is currently used by two bands and one jazz quartet, and an electronic musician: 1) Ken Vandermark - reeds
Johannes Bauer - trombone
Thomas Lehn - analogue synthesizer
Paal Nilssen-Love - drums 2) Artifact is a industrial/goth metal band from the city of Stavanger on the west coast of Norway, formed in late 2002. After a rough start and a l series of line-up changes, the band settled on their line-up in late 2004 when vocalist Tor Arne Fassotte of Unpure and This Negative Karma joined the band.