MONARCH is led by the industrious EYEWITNESS and MILLENNIUM guitarist and mentor Ralph Santolla. The MONARCH band project, fronted by ex-TIDAL FORCE and ANOMALY singer Jim Dorian, released an album in 1997 through British label Now & Then Records. Todd Plant of EYEWITNESS aided on backing vocals.

The six-stringer added a further arrow to his bow in 2001 with the formation of a solo project suitably titled RALPH SANTOLLA. During June of 2003 the guitarist would be revealed as having teamed up with ICED EARTH as a band member. The guitarist also figured as a guest artist on the Progressive Rock concept outing CRYPTIC VISION in 2003 and featured as guest soloist for the song 'Forgotten Demise' on Toronto Metal outfit WARMACHINE's 2004 debut 'The Beginning Of The End'.

Santolla quit ICED EARTH abruptly in June of 2004, promptly joining SEBASTIAN BACH's solo band. The guitarist also revealed future plans for a concept album entitled 'Ex Cathedra', in a proposed alliance with in talks with bassist Steve DiGiorgio of TESTAMENT, SADUS, DEATH and CONTROL DENIED, Gene Hoglan of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL and DEATH together with Tom Englund from EVERGREY.

In November Santolla made a public statement revealing that he was suffering from degenerative condition in the bones of his jaw. Costly treatment would include bone grafts and reconstructive surgery and to offset some of the medical bills a benefit concert in Tampa, headlined by SEBASTIAN BACH, would be scheduled for January of 2005. May found Santolla joining arch Black / Death Metal act DEICIDE for US touring.

In January 2006 Jim Dorian announced the formation of DORIAN in collaboration with guitarist TOM McDYNE of SHUT and CIRCLE II CIRCLE repute.