Monrovia, California based Melodic Black Metal band BLACK SERENITY was created in 2003. The groups roots traced back to the 2000 outfit SEASON OF REASON, fronted by Neil Anderson (a.k.a. 'Midian'). This band, also featuring guitarist Ivan Martinez and bassist Steve Gonzalez Lee, evolved into KINETICA, TOXIC WASTE, and by 2001, CHANTED CURSE seeing Anderson and Lee now joined by guitar player Darren Stephenson and drummer Bryan Delgado. A further change, adopted in 2003, found Anderson and Lee with new project RAPED OF FAITH in union with guitarist Jose Haro and drummer Mayra Neyra. This band would also feature guitarists Abel Garcia and later Josh Picarri.

The next name change to GIRVASARA ocurred that same year, Anderson, Lee, Garcia and Haro reuniting with Bryan Delgado. However, with Garcia dropping out this band became STORM IN THE NORTHERN SKY then, with the recruitment of guitarist Efrain Escobar, BLACK SERENITY. This latest candidate would exit before the close of the year though as the group morphed into CRY OF DESPAIR before a return to CHANTED CURSE.

Newly billed as THE MASTER'S APPRENTICE the group incorporated guitarists Frank Martinez and William Meza to release the EPs 'Moonshadow' and 'Regurgitation Of Lies'. Predictably the unit switched titles again, to DARK DIVINITY. By this stage they had adopted pseudonyms vocalist / bassist Midian, guitarist Vlodrath and drummer Sephiroth for the EP 'Candlelit Vigil'. Josh Polk of ONSET would contribute drums to these sessions.