Luna Mortis

For all of its many contributions to America's alternative and college rock movements, Madison, WI, hasn't exactly been a historical breeding ground for heavy metal -- until Luna Mortis, for one, saw fit to buck that trend. First assembled circa 2006 under the short-lived moniker of the Ottoman Empire, Luna Mortis sought to construct their own sound from influences as diverse as <a href="spotify:artist:1Yox196W7bzVNZI7RBaPnf">Megadeth</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1wUArE0NhHB8M1bU2WSplY">Nevermore</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2aaLAng2L2aWD2FClzwiep">Dream Theater</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:1xUhNgw4eJDZfvumIpcz1B">Children of Bodom</a>, resulting in their self-financed debut album, Way of the Blade, released later that year. A 2007 EP named The Answer: Does Not Exist was produced by Jason Suecof (<a href="spotify:artist:278ZYwGhdK6QTzE3MFePnP">Trivium</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0kO2SRhHlmMIeyJHfHy3c9">Chimaira</a>, etc.), and helped get Luna Mortis signed to Century Media, leading to the release of their next full-length, The Absence, in February 2009. The band's lineup at this time consisted of vocalist Mary Zimmer, lead guitarist and vocalist Brian Koenig, rhythm guitarist Cory Scheider, bassist Jake Bare, and drummer Erik Madsen. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi