LAVINA formed in Copenhagen by guitarist Michael Denner after he quit the high profile MERCYFUL FATE. Before long, he would be joined by two of his MERCYFUL FATE colleagues, bassist Timi 'Grabber' Hansen and guitarist Hank Shermann, the latter having just exited the ranks of FATE. Rick Sterie took on the lead vocal role whilst Nick James took command of the drums. LAVINA recorded a three song demo in September 1988 and a 1989 follow up prior to evolving into ZOSER MEZ. The LAVINA demo era track 'Wasteland' resurfaced on the ZOSER MEZ debut album 'Vizier Of Wasteland'.

Shermann and Denner reunited in 1997 for the GUTRIX project in collusion with MERCYFUL FATE drummer Bjarne T. Holm for the 'Mushroom Songs' album. During 2000 Shermann activated SHERMANN SOLDIERS, being again joined in this venture by MERCYFUL FATE colleague Bjarne T. Holm on drums, ex-NARITA singer Brian Rich and bassist Manil Lopez. That same year both Shermann and Holm recorded a Metalcore album 'Sick In The Head' under another project title VIRUS 7.

Another Shermann band initiated during 2003 witnessed another alliance with MERCYFUL FATE drummer Bjarne T. Holm uniting with KING DIAMOND bassist Hal Patino for demos. This unit, adding IRON FIRE vocalist Martin Steene and another MERCYFUL FATE / LAVINA Colleague Michael Denner on second guitar, was dubbed as FORCE OF EVIL by March 2003.