The Crest

Like contemporaries <a href="spotify:artist:4OAddazJM576euUnFSvXSL">Lacuna Coil</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:31eXqCx5cAlItdGdoHMEOu">Theatre of Tragedy</a>, Norway's the Crest specialize in melodic and moody goth metal (alternately referred to as "darkwave") that explores the compelling contrasts between heavy guitars and a female lead vocalist -- in this case, the sweet-voiced Nell Sigland. Formed from the ashes of a sci-fi metal project called Crab in 1996, the Crest developed in unsigned exile for several years, going through numerous musicians while recording a string of demos, before finally securing a deal with the Seasons of Mist label in 2001. Their debut full-length, Letters from Fire, emerged the following year, at which time the group's touring lineup (as seen and heard across Europe in support of shock-metal icon <a href="spotify:artist:4jlxvaggBp7wVV02U6YYRQ">Mortiis</a>) consisted of founding members Sigland (vocals) and Kristian Aeon (guitar, keyboards) alongside Sebastian (guitar), Magnus (bass), and Klaus Blomvik (drums). Come 2004, Sigland was asked to join the aforesaid <a href="spotify:artist:31eXqCx5cAlItdGdoHMEOu">Theatre of Tragedy</a> on a seemingly permanent basis, but this hasn't precluded her from still working with the Crest, which issued a sophomore effort entitled Vain City Chronicles in mid-2005. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi