Guitarist Tobias Buck formed Neaera in 2003, initially as a side project away from his usual German death metal band, Malzan. Vocalist Benny Hilleke and drummer Sebastian Heldt joined first, then former Malzan guitarist Benjamin Donath was added, but on bass. With a sound melding death metal and power metal, the band played numerous gigs as the Ninth Gate; meanwhile, Malzan had disbanded, so Malzan member Stefan Keller was recruited as second guitarist, rather than bassist as he had been in his former group. Metal Blade came calling in 2004 and suggested that the band change its name. The bandmembers decided on Neaera, and debuted in 2005 with The Rising Tide of Oblivion. Let the Tempest Come appeared a year later, with Armamentarium following in 2007. ~ David Jeffries