Misteria

Misteria formed in the early 2000s around vocalist Ross Smith and guitarist Chris Peacock, who shared an interest in horror films and darkwave aesthetics. Their music often dealt with themes of fear and anxiety, as heard on tracks like "Bashfully Deformed (Phobia)" and "Children of The Snake." The band's lineup also included bassist Dave Tucker and drummer Matt Weeks.

Their debut album was called "The Depressive," which explored subjects like suicide and self-harm. They followed it with "The Fearful," an album focused on phobias. While some critics found their work too dark, Smith and Peacock maintained that it provided a space for people dealing with mental health struggles or social isolation.

Songs such as "Battle Cries" and "Funeral (Folkien part II)" continued their exploration of uneasy themes. The band's sound combined Smith's vocals with Peacock's guitar and programming, creating a tense, atmospheric quality that resonated with a particular audience in the darkwave scene.