Thrash project THE GLADIATOR was formed in Malmö in early 2001 as a one man studio project of bassist / keyboard player Johan Petersson. A self-titled demo would be recorded at Mystical Arts Studios in 2002. Band members would include vocalist Roberth Ahrliks (Rob Ahrling) of ORIGIN BLOOD and SPAWN OF POSSESSION, guitarist Davor Tepic of CENOTAPHIA and THE EMBRACED, second guitarist Hans Danielsen along with drummer Bartek Nalezinski of INCINERATOR, SUPREME MAJESTY and MORTUM.

The group formation evolved to incorporate guitarist Bruno Buneck. Album recordings in 2005 would be given the title 'Point Of No Return'.