Originally named Phlebotomy, Greece's On Thorns I Lay started out in 1992, recording a demo and a 7" EP under that name before making the name-switch in time for their 1995 debut album, Sound of Beautiful Experience. Heavily influenced by d**h/doom metal acts like Paradise Lost and Anathema in their infancy, On Thorns I Lay would evolve along a similar path as these bands over the course of subsequent albums Orama (1997), Crystal Tears (1999), and Future Narcotic ... Show more...

Originally named Phlebotomy, Greece's On Thorns I Lay started out in 1992, recording a demo and a 7" EP under that name before making the name-switch in time for their 1995 debut album, Sound of Beautiful Experience. Heavily influenced by d**h/doom metal acts like Paradise Lost and Anathema in their infancy, On Thorns I Lay would evolve along a similar path as these bands over the course of subsequent albums Orama (1997), Crystal Tears (1999), and Future Narcotic (2000), eventually arriving at a far less extreme brand of hard rock, infused with melancholy and atmospheric Gothic nuances. During this time, founding members Chris Dragmestianos (guitar) and Stefanos Kintzoglou (ba**), collaborated with numerous henchmen, actually relocating to Romania in 1995 for their graduate studies, and working with Elena Doroftei (vocals/viola), Ioanna Doroftei (piano/keyboards), and Andrew Olaru (drums), before returning home to Athens in the year 2000. After welcoming new members Minas G. (guitars/vocals), and Fotis (drums), and hooking up with Black Lotus Records, On Thorns I Lay's next releases, 2001's Angeldust and 2003's Egocentric, carried on exploring their self-labeled "Pure Depressive Metal." ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide