Usurper was formed in Chicago in 1992 by vokillist General Diabolical Slaughter and guitarist Rick Scythe. The duo teamed up with drummer Joe "Apocalyptic" Warlord and in 1994 released the “Visions From The Gods” demo. The band pressed 1,300 copies of the demo and flooded the underground with it, sending out to fanzines, tape traders, radio stations, and fans worldwide. “Visions From The Gods” sent shock waves around the globe, forging Usurper’s identity as a fist-banging, metal-lusting, old-school Black/Death/Thrash machine.

In 1995, bassist Jon Necromancer entered the fold and Usurper signed to Norway’s Head Not Found label, releasing their debut album, “Diabolosis”, to rave reviews in the underground. Shortly after, in 1996, Usurper made the move to USA’s Necropolis Records, who released Usurper’s “Threshhold Of The Usurper” mini-cd and picture disc the following year. With "Threshhold Of The Usurper" under their belts, Usurper embarked on their first North American tour, supporting black metallers Dark Funeral. Following the tour, drummer Dave “Hellstorm” Chiarella joined the band, replacing Warlord. With Hellstorm on the throne, Usurper headlined a stage at 1998’s Milwaukee Metafest XII and set out on their first European tour, with Enthroned and Hecate Enthroned.

In 1999, Usurper released their second full length album, entitled “Usurper II: Skeletal Season”, and embarked on a seven-date North American tour with Cradle Of Filth (dubbed the Seven Dates Of Terror Tour!) In 2000, Usurper recorded their third full length album, “Necronemesis”, at Nomad Studios in Texas with producer Kol Marshall (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Absu). “Necronemesis” featured backing vocals by King Diamond and Absu’s Proscriptor. Following the release of the abum, Usurper enlisted former Eternal Hatred mainman Carcass Chris as second guitarist. Carcass Chris earned his stripes with Usurper at such prestigious gigs as the Milwaukee Metalfest XIV, CBGB’s Deathtober Fest, and Usurper’s biggest tour to date, a 24-date European tour supporting Cradle Of Filth.

In 2001, Usurper parted ways with Necropolis Records and signed a new deal with Earache Records. To celebrate the signing, Earache reissued two classic Usurper titles -- “Visions From The Gods” and “Necronemesis”. Meanwhile, Usurper did a string of dates with the mighty Manowar.

In late 2002, Usurper entered Chicago’s Engine Room Studios with legendary producer Neil Kernon (Judas Priest, Deicide) to record their Earache debut, “Twilight Dominion”. Released in April 2003, "Twilight Dominion" was by far Usurper’s strongest album to date, showcasing their love of classic underground metal bands -- from Slayer, Celtic Frost and Venom to Cathedral and Bolt Thrower -- yet stamped with the band's own unique, defiant flair. Divided into two "chapters", the way our old LP's and cassettes were divided in half, "Twilight Dominion" is split between full-on metal calls-to-arm ("Metal Lust", "I Am Usurper"), and tales of the paranormal ("Vatican Time Machine", "Utopian Nightmare", "Invincible Overlords"). Throughout “Twilight Dominion”, Usurper erect their own universe of metal mythology by weaving together the myths and mysticism of various cultures with esoteric stories of the bizarre and total raging metal battle cries. A video for the song, "Metal Lust", was cut by director Kevin Leonard (Hate Eternal).

In fall 2003, original drummer Joe "Apocalyptic" Warlord returned to Usurper. Shortly after, General Diabolical Slaughter stepped down and was replaced by longtime Usurper metal brother and former Cumchrist and Dead Of Winter frontman, Dan Tyrantor.

In summer 2004, a rejuvenated Usurper entered Chicago's Rax Trax Studios with the new line-up to record their second album for Earache: "Cryptobeast". Once more, studio legend Neil Kernon presided over production duties. "Cryptobeast" will see a February 2005 release.