In 1990 guitarist/vocalist Fredrik Mannberg formed a band called Necronomic. But while experiencing several line-up changes and members unwilling to work hard, they later broke up. By the end of 1990, the only two remaining members (Fredrik and drummer Tommy Eriksson) reformed the band, now serving as three piece with newly recruited bassist Nils Eriksson and under the monicker of Nocturnal Rites.

In '91 the band made their first, and still only official, demo recording. A four track release called "The Obscure". It attracted a fair share of independet label interest, but the band decided to wait for something better. While writing material for what came to be a two track promo recording, they found themselves having drifted away from the "mainstream" death metal, towards a more melodic and harmonic oriented sound. This new approch, again, attracted some label attention. Still, nothing the band would be willing to sign. Around this time drummer Tommy Eriksson left the band and was replaced by Ulf Andersson. The band also added a second guitarist, Mikael S