The band was founded by John Elliott, who worked with a revolving cast of musicians to create Dessau's music.
The bnd released two studio albums, 1989's Exercise in Tension by Carlyle Records and 1995's Dessau by Mausoleum.
[2] In 1988 the band released a 12" single of their cover of Joy Division's "Isolation" , which was produced by Paul Barker of Revolting Cocks and Al Jourgensen of Ministry.
[3] The band released their debut studio album Exercise in Tension in 1989 by Carlyle Records.
[4][5][6] In 1995 Dessau released an extended track remix of the song "Suffer" for the Fascist Communist Revolutionaries compilation and their self-titled second album for Mausoleum.