Rising from the ashes of two longtime players in Israel's underground music scene, death metal band Betrayer and black metal band Azazel, Nail Within was formed by singer Yishai Swearts, guitarist Alex Schuster, bassist Evil Haim, and drummer Miko in 2001. Second guitarist Matan Cohen was added the following year and the band soon entered Germany's Spiderhouse Studios to record its self-titled debut album with renowned metal producer Harris Johns (Helloween, Voivod, Coroner, etc.). Featuring guest vocal spots from Kreator's Mille Petrozza and ex-At the Gates frontman Tomas Lindberg, the album was released by Listenable Records in early 2003, and also saw the arrival of new drummer Nir Nakav. ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide