Fleshkiller started in 2015 in Norway as a side project of Ole Børud of the progressive death metal band Extol and Peter Dalbakk of the band Vardøger.[1][2] Børud and Dalbakk were former bandmates of the band Schaliach, a death-doom band they formed together.[1][3] The two hired drummer Andreas Skorpe Sjøen from the band Umpfel, and Ole Vistnes, of the bands Shining and Tristania, as the band's bass player.[4]
Dalbakk later quit the band, wanting to spend more time with his family.[1] The band replaced him with Elisha Mullins, vocalist of The Burial and former guitarist of A Hill to Die Upon.[1] Børud had come in contact with Mullins through both of their time on the Facedown Records roster.[4] The band later signed to Indie Recordings in Europe and Facedown Records in North America to release their debut album Awaken.[5][6][7]
On June 30, 2017, the band released their debut single, "Parallel Kingdom".[8][9] The band released their second single "Warfare" on August 18, 2017, via a music video.[10][11] On September 1, 2017, the band released "Salt of the Earth", their third and final single before the album released on September 15.[12] The album came out on September 15, 2017, which received positive critical reception.[13]
^ abcW., Ralf (September 11, 2017). "Awaken". White Room Reviews (in Dutch). Archived from the original on September 16, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
