Though the band underwent multiple lineup changes in that ten-year timespan, both releases featured the original five-piece incarnation of two Americans and three Canadians who previously played in several different bands respectively from Seattle and Vancouver:[1][2] Nick Pollock (lead vocals), formerly of Alice N' Chains and My Sister's Machine; Michael Wilton (guitar) from Queensrÿche; Dave Groves (guitar), formerly of Tin Pan[3][deprecated source] and Fallen Angel; Wes Hallam (drums), formerly of Assault[4] and Fallen Angel; and Marten Van Keith (bass guitar).

Soulbender has chiefly been noted as a side-project of Michael Wilton, borne out of his desire to return the heavy metal sound that his main band Queensrÿche had drifted away from.

[1][5] After completing 17 original tracks, Soulbender played their first live show opening for Queensrÿche vocalist Geoff Tate's solo band at the Experience Music Project in Seattle on June 22, 2002.

Despite playing a couple sellout shows, the band has experienced much difficulty getting off the ground due to Wilton's Queensrÿche duties.

[11][12] In 2007, Pollock and Hallam stepped down from their respective roles as vocalist and drummer and replaced by Travis Bracht of Second Coming and for a brief spell Van Williams of Nevermore.