Ceremonial Embrace was formed in the spring of 1998. The band was previously known as Chastise which in turn was formed as a heavy metal band in 1996. Chastise had issued a demo in the autumn of 1997. Tatu Polvinen had joined the fold in early 1998.
The name change also meant a more black metal-oriented sound. A direction which could be heard on Promo '98. Regardless the singer is turfed from the band and replaced by Jani Huotari soon after the demo's release. More shows followed and the band entered studio again and recorded the Beyond The Oblivion demo at BRR Studio in Finland. The demo leads to a two-album contract with Displeased Records.
The band entered studio in May of 2000 and recorded Oblivion in a matter of four weeks at BRR. Oblivion was described by Displeased as Atmospheric Black Metal. The album is released a full year later. Shows were next to impossible however, as the band members live in different towns.