Philadelphia's Goreaphobia was formed in 1989 and specialized in death metal. The completely different line-up featured a singer called Kevin Brennen who would commit suicide at the time. The band was drummer Craig Smilowski, singer bassist Mezzadurus (real name Chris Gamble), Alex Bouks (later in Incantation) and John Litchko. A demo called Morbidious Pathology was recorded. The band was supposed to release a full-length on Relapse Records, but broke up and instead saw the release of a 7" EP/MCD called Omen Of Masochism. The band had earlier been one of the many underground acts ripped off by Seraphic Decay Records.

Kenny Masteller had replaced Craig Smilowski who had defected to NYC and Immolation. Therefore, Immolation's and Goreaphobia toured the USA soon after the former's debut album for two months.

Goreaphobia did reform in 1999 with a new line-up featuring Perversera's John Litchko. This line-up, featuring an incognito singer called No One, recorded a two-song demo entitled Return To The Shadowlands and played live in New York.