encomiast (official capitalization) is a dark ambient project from the USA active since 1999.

Originally a duo of Ross Hagen and Nick Paul, later became a solo project of Ross Hagen, with additional live and recording contributions from Toby Sinkinson, Joe Skinner, Travis Bellet, and many others.

Lineup:
Ross Hagen - composition, production, performance (1999-)

Former members:
Nick Paul - synths, programming (1999-2003)
Samantha Balsam - vocals (2000-2001)
Megan Garland - flutes, vocals
Neville Harson - anything and everything
Samantha Balsam

Encomiast came into being around 1999 in Colorado, USA.

Other releases:
2000 - The View Beneath (self-released EP)

In addition, the project has been featured on about a dozen compilations, been involved in film music, and performed live in a semi-consistent manner. As indicated by the "members" section, the lineup is fairly malleable, as are the sound sources, encompassing everything from analog synths, to field recordings, to old rock demos.