A versatile and virtuosic American guitarist -- her father's side of the family claims beloved Austrian composer Johann Strauss as an ancestor -- Nita Strauss (born Vinita Sandhya Strauss) first caught the metal scene's attention playing in the all-female Iron Maiden tribute band the Iron Maidens and the popular West Coast hard rock/glam metal outfit Femme Fatale. A frequent collaborator and in-demand stage and session musician, Strauss replaced outgoing Alice Cooper guitarist Orianthi in 2014, and in 2018 she started appearing on WWE shows, including Wrestlemania 34. 2018 also saw Strauss ink a deal with Sumerian Records and issue her debut instrumental solo LP, Controlled Chaos.