Bella Morte

Bella Morte was a gothic rock band formed in 1996 in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. They incorporate elements of metal, dark wave, deathrock, alternative, and synthpop. The band's name means "Beautiful Death" in Italian language. According to the band's vocalist, Andy Deane, the name was chosen to suggest that beauty can be found in tragedy, which is a re-occurring theme in Bella Morte's albums.

In 2002, they signed with Metropolis Records having previously self-released albums through their own label, Some Wear Leather, and, also, Cleopatra Records. In early fall 2006, Metropolis Records announced that Bella Morte had reached number one on the company's pre-order sales list with their new album, Bleed the Grey Sky Black, which was released on October 10, 2006.

The bass guitarist and co-founder Gopal Metro decided to leave the band, playing his last show on March 10, 2007, in Charlottesville. At the same show, the vocalist Andy Deane announced that Tony Pugh would replace Metro. At the beginning of summer 2008, it was announced that Jordan Marchini would not be touring with the band any longer. Nevertheless, he returned in 2011.

In July 2023, front-man and founding member Andy Deane announced that Bella Morte was retired. Their final live performance took place on March 31, 2023, at Dark Force Fest in New Jersey.

The decision to bring the project to a close was heavily influenced by the tragic passing of long-time guitarist Tony Lechmanski, whose loss marked a natural end to that era of the group.

Deane then formed the project The Rain Within.