13 Candles was originally formed in 1992 by Louis Holloway and Justin Dracul, to create dark, gothic music. They recorded countless songs in the early years and issued these out as demo's at gigs they performed. Drafting in keyboard player Black Angel they set out around the U.K. playing a string of dates, they played the first Whitby Goth festival, supplying the P.A. for the event and even played at the legendary venue "The Marquee" in London. The demo's and a promo video, entitled "The 13th Hour" attracted interest and in 1995 they ensnared a signing to Nottingham based label, Nightbreed Records. However they needed fresh blood within the band, recruiting young musician Marc Azrael Hoyland into the fold to play keyboards and second guitar. They recorded their first album "Come out of the Dark" at Bandwagon studios in Mansfield, England in the Spring of '95. The album gained much acclaim and they set out on their first U.K. tour, playing various cities in England and Scotland, with Midnight Configuration and Suspiria, the climax at the Vamps and Tramps ball in Whitby. Later that year they played a concert with the one and only Rozz Williams and Gitaine Demone of Christian Death fame, raising their popularity to a new, larger audience. Writing of the follow up album "Angels of Mourning Silence" took place almost immediately. The sound of the band had developed greatly, Marc Azrael Hoyland became the sole guitarist, being as modern technology allowed him to be free of his keyboard duties. This also gave way for Louis Holloway to concentrate and focus more on his Vocals and not worry about playing guitar. They recorded the tracks at Bandwagon Studios, with an intended release to happen in 1996 on Nightbreed Records, but this was not to be. A support slot with uprising metal stars Cradle of Filth at the London Astoria gained the interest of London based record label Cacophonous records, they signed on the dotted line Christmas 1996. The original recording of the album is now considered a demo but has never seen the light of day. Recording of the second album took place at Academy Studios in Dewsbury, England in the Spring of 1997. This release catapulted the band into the eye of the mainstream, appearing in magazines such Terrorizer and reviews in Kerrang and Metal Hammer. The album was embraced by goths and metal heads alike, 13 Candles set out to ensue the crossover scene, and turning the music to a darker side than before. Another tour took place, playing with acts such as Mortiis, Cathedral, Christian Death, Hawkwind and The Damned. When the "Angels" period had come to an end, major changes happened with the band. Louis Holloway was released from service to be replaced by vocalist Danny J. and for the first time, 13 Candles added a real drummer into the fold in the shape of Pauley Mckay, and keyboard player Tim Turner, taking their sound to the next level. The band then went back to Academy Studios in the Autumn of 1998 to record the e.p. "Killing for Kulture", this recording proved to be the best work the band had done, the writing of the songs was a long process, and began just after "Angels" was recorded, when Louis was still in the band. However the band was without a label to release this fine art as problems with Cacophonous had arisen. They had to wait until the right offer came along. They toured England, with support coming from bands such as Squid and Killing Miranda, also they returned to the London Astoria to play a festival with bands such as The Merry Thoughts, The Marionettes and Gene Loves Jezebel. Another line up change was imminent and drummer Dan Theobald came to the drum stool after the exit of Pauley. The band played a couple of gigs, the most noteworthy being Fat Pauley's in Norwich, England, support to Hecate Enthroned and Theatre des Vampires. In 2000 the e.p. "Killing for Kulture was finally released on Danny's own label Def2musik. But this was too late as the band had decided to take a break, some members pursuing personal ventures. In 2005, guitarist Marc Azrael Hoyland and original vocalist Louis Holloway, now of The Realm, decided it was time to brush off the Candles material and do some shows, drafting in a bass player, Damien. The other guys were unobtainable at such short notice. They performed as a three piece, something they hadn't done since 1997. First a warm up show at their hometown of Chesterfield at a venue called The Green Room. This show was packed to the rafters, and then they performed on the first day of the annual Carnival of Souls event in Derby, England, to the delight of many old fans. In December 2009 the band performed at the Nightbreed Alldayer Festival in Camden, London, England with the classic Come out Of the Dark/Angels of Mourning Silence line up. The show was the tightest the band had sounded in a long time with a set list which spanned the bands whole discography. In the winter of 2010 further plans are being formed to expand the band to a 5 piece with Danny and Pauley coming back on board as second guitarist and drummer respectively.

2011 has seen 13 Candles hit the live circuit once more, with a line-up featuring members from all the classic eras of the band: Louis Holloway (vocals); Justin Dracul (bass); Marc Hoyland (guitar); Danny J. Finch (guitar) and new addition to the fold Rob Poyton (Keyboards).