Electric Wizard was initially formed in Wimborne, Dorset, where the first known incarnation to feature frontman Justin Oborn went under the name Lord of Putrefaction.

[2] Band friend Lee Dorrian of Cathedral and Napalm Death took note of the change in musical style after hearing a rehearsal tape and became interested in working with them through his label, Rise Above Records.

[2] After playing a show with Cathedral at the Marquee Club in London, Dorrian paid for studio sessions for the band to record tracks for inclusion on the second instalment of the doom metal compilation Dark Passages.

[2] Following the recording sessions, Eternal's line-up went through several changes, mainly due to long-time bassist and associate Dave Gedge relocating to Sherborne.

[2] At the same time, Oborn had started working on a new project called Doom Chapter with drummer Mark Greening and bassist Tim Bagshaw.