Their former name, Russian for "cow" (Корова), is also an allusion to the "Korova Milk Bar" of Anthony Burgess' famous novel A Clockwork Orange.

The band that would become Chryst was formed in 1990 in Innsbruck, Austria, initially bearing the name Korova, by Christof Niederwieser (who would futurely provide vocals for Angizia's first two studio albums), Michael Kröll, Moritz Neuner (of Dornenreich, Abigor, Graveworm, Leaves' Eyes and Angizia fame) and Georg Razesberger.

In 1997, Michael and Georg left the band, and were replaced by Florian Oberlechner (also of Angizia), Herwing Huber, Susanne Eckbauer and Martina Astner; Moritz Neuner remained.

Christof and Moritz teamed up with Renaud Tschirner, famous for being the keyboard player for Elend, to continue as Korovakill, now a trio.

On 21 September 2011, Christof released a solo album, PhantasmaChronica, under the moniker Chryst.