The 1992 'Chamäleon' tape would signal Hamburg based SYLVAN's entrance into the Progressive Rock scene. A further demo 'Slaves' in 1994 and an eponymous promotion outing the year after led up to the 1999 debut album 'Deliverance'. The group was rooted in the 1990 German language act TEMPORAL TEMPTATION, assembled by the Söhl siblings, guitarist Kay and keyboard player Volker, along with drummer Matthias Harder. Before the close of 1990 the band switched title to CHAMÄLEON and added Marko Heisig as lead vocalist. Now employing English lyrics the band issued the first demo of 1992. However, after these recordings Matthias Koops took over the lead vocal mantle for recording of 'Slaves'.

In 1995 Marco Glühmann of MIRRORS OFF was inducted as the band's new singer. By the summer of 1997 the group adopted the SYLVAN title and incorporated new bassist Patrick Münster. The 'Deliverance' album would be recorded throughout 1998 and issued by the Angular album in January of 1999. Whilst recording the conceptual follow up 'Encounters' Lars Köster of the German act SOPHISTREE took over Münster's position on bass. The four string role would be under new occupation in the Spring of 2000 with the introduction of Sebastian Harnack.