The inception of Clad in Darkness began in the winter of 1999 for guitarists John Benter and Coy Scottberg. Meeting in high school the two shared a common passion for music in general and metal especially. The idea was always to create epic far reaching soundscapes that transgressed the conventions of metal. Soon after the band would be complete with the addition of ex-Sapphist drummer Brian Rendina, with fellow members Casey Hogan handling the vocals and Chris Shive playing bass.