Founded in 1998 as Mono69, Hamburg, Germany goth rock band Mono Inc. are influenced by 1980s alternative icons such as Depeche Mode, the Cure, and Sisters of Mercy and crossover dance/metal acts like Prodigy and Metallica. Comprised of Miky Mono (vocals, bass), Martin Engler (vocals, drums), and Carl Fornia (guitar), the group changed its name to Mono Inc. in 2000 and added Manuel Antoni (bass) to the lineup in 2003. Following the band's 2004 album debut Head Under Water, Miky Mono left the group, new drummer Katha Mia was hired, and Engler became the new lead vocalist. The albums Temple of the Torn (2007) and Pain, Love & Poetry (2008) were subsequently released, along with maxi-singles and the alternative chart hit "Sleeping My Day Away." 2009's Voices of Doom and 2011's Viva Hades stoked the band's loyal fanbase, but Mono Inc. enjoyed a breakout in 2012 when the album After The War rose to number six on the German sales charts, a new high for the group. 2013's Nimmermehr showed the success of After The War was no fluke, peaking at number three in Germany. ~ Jason Birchmeier