Elena Cataraga, known professionally as Lena Scissorhands (born November 22, 1986, in Chișinău, Moldova), is a Moldovan heavy metal singer, songwriter, and model now based in Las Vegas, USA. She’s the lead vocalist and a founding member of the nu-metal/metalcore band Infected Rain and also fronts the American alternative metal band Death Dealer Union. Her stage name, inspired by her training as a hairstylist, reflects her bold, eccentric persona, earning her the title of “Moldova’s most eccentric vocalist” by local media.

Lena discovered her love for alternative music at 13 and metal at 14, captivated by heavy riffs and aggressive vocals. In 2008, she co-founded Infected Rain with guitarist Vadim “Vidick” Ozhog and Ivan “DJ Kapa” Kristioglo. Their debut performance was a Slayer tribute concert, followed by their first EP, Judgmental Trap (2009). Infected Rain blends nu-metal, metalcore, and progressive elements, with Lena’s vocals alternating between guttural growls, screams, and clean singing—often within the same song. This dynamic vocal range, honed under vocal coach Melissa Cross in 2013, sets her apart in the metal scene.

Her lyrics, deeply personal, draw from her experiences with loss, loneliness, and depression, as seen in albums like Endorphin (2019) and Ecdysis (2022). Endorphin was praised for its emotional depth and maturity, with Lena writing all the lyrics, while Ecdysis explored themes of transformation, reflecting her own journey of finding “home.” In 2022, she joined Death Dealer Union, debuting with the single “Borderlines” and releasing their album Initiation (2023), signed with Napalm Records. She’s also collaborated with bands like Seas on the Moon, Nervosa, and Chase the Comet, showcasing her versatility. A recent collaboration with Vervain St. Project, “Believe” (June 2025), highlights her clean vocal prowess, trending on X for its emotional resonance.

Lena’s life story is one of overcoming adversity. Growing up in poverty in Moldova, she faced a turbulent childhood marked by her parents’ abusive relationship and frequent relocations. At nine, she was taken to Armenia against her will, experiencing isolation and depression due to language and cultural barriers. Returning to Moldova at 13, she cared for her younger sisters while her mother worked in Italy. Later moves to Italy and, in 2015, to the USA brought further challenges of cultural disconnection, which she channels into her music. Her lyrics, like those in “Orphan Soul,” reflect these struggles, offering fans a raw, relatable narrative. She’s noted, “I am a human and I have the right to be emotional,” emphasizing vulnerability as strength.

Lena’s influence extends beyond music. A vegan and Disney enthusiast, she’s also a model and makeup artist, with a striking aesthetic marked by tattoos (including tributes to vocalists Mitch Lucker and Chino Moreno). Her work with photographer Jeremy Saffer and her Las Vegas-based tattoo artists showcases her evolving style, from colorful wings to blackout sleeves. Her YouTube channel, Bananas, and Cameo videos offer fans personalized content, from birthday shoutouts to motivational pep talks, earning rave reviews for her authenticity.

Lena’s love for nature, developed during her childhood in Armenia, informs her advocacy for environmental appreciation, often shared via social media. Her music and interviews highlight themes of mental health and resilience, resonating with fans who see her as a beacon of perseverance. On X, fans praise her “insane vocal range” and “raw energy,” with posts like, “Lena Scissorhands is the future of metal vocals 🖤 #InfectedRain.” Her 2025 tour with Infected Rain, including stops at London’s Underworld and European festivals, continues to build her global fanbase.

Lena Scissorhands shares similarities with Amy Lee, both being powerhouse vocalists in rock/metal with emotive, personal lyrics. However, Lee’s symphonic, gothic style with Evanescence contrasts with Lena’s nu-metal/metalcore aggression and guttural techniques. While Lee’s music leans cinematic, Lena’s is visceral, rooted in raw screams and progressive riffs. Compared to pop icons like Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, Sabrina Carpenter, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, and Miley Cyrus, Lena operates in a niche but growing metal scene, appealing to fans of intensity over mainstream polish. Like Rihanna and Cyrus, she’s a multifaceted artist (singer, model, makeup artist), and her mental health advocacy aligns with Gomez and Lee, though her focus on overcoming cultural displacement adds a unique layer.

Lena’s rise from Moldova’s limited music scene to international stages mirrors the reinvention of Spears and Cyrus, but her DIY ethos—managing Infected Rain independently for a decade—echoes Rihanna’s entrepreneurial drive. Her vocal versatility, blending clean and extreme techniques, sets her apart from the pop-heavy hitmakers, making her a bridge between Amy Lee’s emotional rock and the heavier influences of bands like Arch Enemy.