ASSAILANT was initially formed a loose collective in 2000 with the sole intention of performing YNGWIE MALMSTEEN cover versions. This proto-band unit comprised a quintet of vocalist Marcus Karlsson, guitarist Mattias Moberg, bass guitarist Hampus Mörk, ex-INNOCENT VOICES keyboard player Albin Johansson and drummer Joel Dittmer. Both Karlsson and Mörk had previously been a members of MYXAMATOSIS and MORIA.

A switch was made to composing original material but losing Moberg necessitated Karlsson taking on guitar responsibilities. Anders Wier, also an active member of NOBILITY, subsequently usurped Dittmer.