In 2001 Veli-Matti Yli-Mäyry joined and the band recorded two demos, Forward to the Battle (2001) and Hot Summer of Love (2002) and their first self-titled album, released through Rage of Achilles in 2004.
[2] During recording of the self-titled album, Veli-Matti announced that he was going to leave the band, and so Jarkko Seppälä was recruited as the new drummer.
After Rage of Achilles folded, Spiritus Mortis began looking for new record deal.
[3] After Black Lotus Records also folded, Vesa Lampi stated he had lost his interest in music and left the band.
Tomi Murtomäki took his place for the "20 years of Spiritus Mortis" tour, but he did not wish to continue full-time.