Oulu's BELIAL date to April 1991, with the demo 'The God Of The Pits' bringing them to the attention of the Death Metal Underground. At this stage the group comprised vocalist Jarno Koskinen, guitarists Jarno Antilla and MUTILATION's Jukka Valppu, former OBFUSCATION bassist Jani Lehtosaari and drummer Reima Kellokoski. However, Jukka Valppu quit to form MYTHOS in 1992. The band's earliest recordings proved to be so popular on the tape trading circuit that BELIAL's initial demos were later pressed and issued by Moribund Records.

Having participated in the recording of the 'Wisdom Of Darkness' and 'Never Again' albums, frontman Koskinen left to form ETERNITIES. Having replaced him with new singer Jarno Antilla for the much more adventurous and melancholic '3' album, BELIAL was rocked by a further departure in early 1996 when bassist Jani Lehotosaari joined IMPALED NAZARENE.

BELIAL personnel were later involved in the PLAN E endeavour, a union that culminated with the 'E Is For Your Ears' release performing with the BELIAL / IMPALED NAZARENE rhythm section of bassist Jani Lehtosaari and drummer Reima Kellokoski, LEGENDA bassist Niko Karpinnen as well as ex-BELIAL keyboard player Reetta Saisa. In 2002 Lehtosaari joined SINVISION.

Jukka Vappu returned in 2006 with a new band unit entitled VIOLENT HAMMER, a Kuusamo based Death Metal band involving frontman Matti Viitala, DEATHMANTRA guitarist Lasse Limma, bass player Kalle Salmivaara and drummer Ari Mikkola.