Black Funeral emerged from the abyss in the year 1993 from Indianapolis, Indiana as a vampiric black metal band by Michael W. Ford (as Akhtya Nachttoter.) The very essence of the band was centered on the cult of black metal and Luciferian ideology from a nightside approach. As stated by the band for the release of Empire of Blood: "Black Funeral is the incarnation of death and Vampyrichbloodlust. We are the ghosts which dwell beyond the shadows of the grave.