Ben Christo

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Ben Christo (formerly Ben Chivers) is the current lead guitarist for The Sisters of Mercy, with whom he has toured 28 countries and played alongside the likes of Metallica, Depeche Mode and Guns 'n' Roses.

Before joining TSoM in 2006, Ben was lead guitarist for Rock/Metal act, AKO, who released an album and two EPs, all of which received acclaim in the UK Rock press. Their 2001 debut, Find Yourself, was hailed by Kerrang! as "some of the finest hardcore music being produced in Britain today...4/5". AKO also enjoyed numerous appearances in Metal Hammer, Rock Sound and Total Guitar (page feature on Christo). The band supported AFI, Avenged Sevenfold and Alkaline Trio and even recorded a Radio 1 session. After playing the SXSW festival in Texas in 2005, AKO split amicably.

In addition to his current role in TSoM, Ben is rumoured to be working on a new project which draws on many of his 80's Rock influences.

More recently, Christo has been DJ-ing at various venues and events across Europe, including Berlin's Fashion Rock Night in January 2008.

Ben has a First Class degree in Drama from Bristol University and in 2004 he and fellow graduate, David R. Watson, won 3rd place in a national film competition for their short, Sold Out. Christo lives in London, UK.