Kouvola Gothic Rock act MARY-ANN was the precursor outfit to TO/DIE/FOR. Originally the band, forged during 1993 and seeing Marko Kangaskolkka on bass, issued an eponymous album in 1997, after which singer Jape Perätalo and drummer Tonmi Lillman were joined by guitarists Juppe 'J.P.' Sutela and Andy. Lillman would then back out for a period and MARY-ANN enrolled bass player Miikka 'Sepe' Kuisma, keyboard player Juska Salminen and drummer Jaani. MARY-ANN issued a further batch of recordings as the 1998 self financed EP release 'Deeper Sin', this sporting a cover version of the PET SHOP BOYS 'It's A Sin'.

The group signed to Spinefarm Records in July 1999 under the revised title of TO/DIE/FOR. By this juncture former MALPRACTICE, MANITOU, VITAL SIGNS and CROWMOOR guitarist Joonas 'Jope' Koto had enrolled and Lillman had also made a return. Erstwhile member Juska Salminen subsequently joined H.I.M. and would reunite with his ex-TO/DIE/FOR colleague bassist Miikka Kuisma in 2000 with NEW DAWN FOUNDATION.