Formed in 1995 in Adelaide, they have achieved international acclaim during their career, receiving praise from such magazines as Orkus, Metal Hammer, Legacy and The Village Voice.

[6] Having changed their line-up several times, Virgin Black currently consists of the founding members and main songwriters: Sesca Scaarba (formerly Samantha Escarbe) (guitar) and Rowan London (keyboard, vocals), with Grayh (bass) and Luke Faz (drums) joining in 2007.

On the strength of this self-released debut, Virgin Black signed to Germany's Massacre Records for Europe and also to the U.S. label The End.

The first part of the trilogy, Requiem - Pianissimo, is a strictly classically oriented album featuring the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, choral singing, and solo singers.

Virgin Black played some Australian shows with Arcturus in March and headlined the Elements of Rock Festival in Switzerland in April.

On 27 September 2018, the band speculated the date for the release of the complete album, scheduled for 30 November of that year, said in its official website that Virgin Black has broken ties with former record companies.

[15] On signing with new label Dark Escapes Music, Virgin Black's Requiem trilogy was slated for release to streaming services globally.

On 25 November 2021, Virgin Black released Sombre Romantic on streaming services globally after signing with independent record label Dark Escapes Music.

[20] Virgin Black states that their influences include the British group My Dying Bride, the American gothic metal band Saviour Machine and 19th century classical music.

Rowan London employs various vocal styles including operatic, shrieking, death growls and melodramatic tenor and baritone singing, and the music often features choirs.

Occasionally the lead guitarist Sesca Scaarba plays faster tremolo riffs typical of extreme metal, such as on "Drink the Midnight Hymn" from the debut album.