Like contemporaries Lacuna Coil and Theatre of Tragedy, 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 Mortiis) 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 Theatre of Tragedy 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