Sneaker Pimps founding member Chris Corner began performing as the dark electro-pop persona IAMX in 2004. Named after the Sneaker Pimps album Becoming X, Corner had effectively become "X," which he described as an ever-changing variable. Adopting the characteristics of synth pop and new wave acts like New Order, the Cure, and Depeche Mode and adding a greater sense of theatricality, Corner's work as IAMX represented a notable departure from his work with the Sneaker Pimps. Moving from the pounding synth rock of 2004 debut Kiss + Swallow, albums such as 2009's Kingdom of Welcome Addiction incorporated elements of dark cabaret. 2015's Metanoia, a heavy electro-industrial effort, was followed by more experimental releases like Unfall (2017) and Machinate (2021).