Late eighties Bielefeld Heavy Metal outfit MENDACIOUS MESSIAH, issuing three demos throughout the 90s including 'Nightmare' and 'Return To Reality', featured the subsequent SOULGATE trio of guitarist Eric Brandsmeier, vocalist / bassist Bernhard Rigelsky and drummer Markus Wilde. Other well known ex-members included SILENT FORCE, THE SYGNET and VANIZE drummer André Hilgers and GRAVE DIGGER, X WILD and LIVING DEATH drummer Frank Ulrich. The latter's 1993 departure to join GRAVE DIGGER for their 'Symphony Of Death' album put the band on hold, allowing Bransmeier to join VISIBLE TOUCH then Power Metal act JUSTIRE.

MENDACIOUS MESSIAH was resurrected in 1996 with Bransmeier drafting his JUSTIRE colleague Bernhard Rigelsky and drummer Markus Wilde of RESORACTION, DEMONIA, DARK PARADE, WINGS OF DESTINY and SEVEN SEALS, but would fold again in late 1998. The trio recruited guitarist Frank Schweigert to evolve into SOULGATE.

Ex-MENDACIOUS MESSIAH drummer André Hilgers joined RAZORBACK in 2005.