Xerath was formed in 2007 by guitarist Andy Phillips, drummer Michael Pitman and bassist/guitarist Owain Williams. Xerath was originally started as an experiment to combine Film score style composition with syncopated guitar rhythms and crushing metal grooves. In 2007, Xerath won the Terrorizer Magazine best unsigned band competition based on reader votes. In early 2008, Xerath signed their first record deal with Candlelight Records, best known for acts such as Emperor and Opeth. Xerath released their debut CD, entitled I (One), in May 2009.