Vocalist Stefano "Vlad" Ghersi and guitarist Morgan Ferrua founded Italian band Stigma in the year 2000, and relinquished their original pure hardcore roots two years later in order to embrace the heavier sounds of metallic deathcore, and the allure of gothic lyrics about vampires and other famous monsters. Two EPs -- 2003's Metamorphosis and ‘04's Epitaph of Pain -- saw limited distribution, almost exclusively in their homeland, but after solidifying a stable lineup completed by second guitarist Andrea Bailo, bassist Flavio Magnaldi and drummer Stefano Ghigliano, Stigma recorded their international debut, When Midnight Strikes, for release in March 2008. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi