Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg Death Metal band forged during 1992. Initially the group comprised vocalist / guitarist Muhammed Suiçmez, guitar player Jan-Paul Herm, bassist Jochen Bittmann and drummer Raphael Kempermann. A demo, 'Requiems Of Festered Gore', was recorded that April. A second session, simply dubbed 'Necrophagist' and featuring new guitarist Matthias Holzapfel, was recorded in April 1995. Membership changes would see Kempermann replaced by Daniel Silva.

The September 1999 album 'Onset Of Putrefaction', besides the exception of one guest guitar solo from FEROCITY's Björn Vollmer on the song 'Extreme Unction', was recorded entirely as a solo undertaking by Muhammed Suiçmez.Reformulating yet again, 2000 marked the introduction of DEADBORN musicians guitarist Mario Petrovic and drummer Slavek Foltyn. Björn Vollmer supersededPetrovic in 2001.

NECROPHAGIST would be brought up to full band strength with the addition of guitarist Christian Münzner in 2002, bass guitarist Heiko Linzert during 2003 and a return for drummer Daniel Silva. In 2003 the band lost their bassist, pulling in Stefan Fimmers as substitute, and Silva's place was taken by Hannes Grossmann.

The album 'Epitaph' saw release through Relapse Records in August 2004. Taking some degree of classical inspiration, Beethoven's "Für Elise" could be heard in 'The Stillborn One' and the outro to 'Only Ash Remains' was taken from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet, Suite
No. 2 - Montagues and Capulets. 1000 copies were manufactured in vinyl, of which 100 were pressed on transperant vinyl and 500 on gold.Relapse Records in the USA and Willowtip Records also re-issued 'Onset Of Putrefaction' in 2004. This version was enhanced by completely re-recorded drum tracks and the addition of two demo songs.

NECROPHAGIST was scheduled to support MORBID ANGEL and NILE on European dates in 2005 but would cancel, Muhammed Suiçmez claiming he had "health problems", which prevented him "from performing on stage or leaving Stuttgart". European shows in January and February 2006 witnessed a strong partnership with MALEVOLENT CREATION, NIGHTRAGE and BOLT THROWER. However, NECROPHAGIST then parted ways with guitarist Christian Münzner. Sami Raatikainen, from Finnish band CODEON, substituted.

The group hit North America for an extensive run of US and intended Canadian shows lasting into June. They would be joined on this package tour by ION DISSONANCE from Canada, ARSIS and ALARUM from Australia. However, the Canadian leg was suspended when the band had their passports stolen, making entry across the border impossible.

Christian Münzner teamed up with MAJESTY in May 2006. November saw US dates backing CANNIBAL CORPSE, UNMERCIFUL and DYING FETUS. NECROPHAGIST then announced they were to team up with MISERY INDEX, COLDWORKER and BURNING SKIES for a European tour beginning in February 2007. However, the group was forced to cancel their headlining slot on the first eight scheduled shows due to "unforeseen and out-of-our-control circumstances".

Hannes Grossmann's last stint on drumming duty for NECROPHAGIST came with the band's April 1st 2007 headline show at the California Metalfest in Santa Ana. He would be superseded by the highly travelled Marco Minnemann. Subsequently two ex-NECROPHAGIST personnel, Christian Münzner and Hannes Grossman, joined Munich's OBSCURA.

The band's next tour outing was to be the 'Summer Slaughter' trek across the USA throughout June and July, headlining with support from DECAPITATED, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, CATTLE DECAPITATION, THE FACELESS, AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK, ARSIS, ION DISSONANCE and BENEATH THE MASSACRE. In 2008 the group inducted new drummer Romain Goulon, a veteran of DISAVOWED, IMPERIAL SODOMY, ARSEBREED, AGRESSOR and many more.

NECROPHAGIST, DYING FETUS, BENEATH THE MASSACRE, INTO ETERNITY, NEURAXIS, WHITECHAPEL, VEIL OF MAYA, DIVINITY and COMMON GRAVE will teamed up for the 'Summer Slaughter Canada' tour, commencing August 14th 2008 in Quebec's Imperial. The 'Summer Slaughter' US festival tour commencing in June 2009 witnessed a package comprising co-headliners NECROPHAGIST and SUFFOCATION backed by ENSIFERUM, DARKEST HOUR, WINDS OF PLAGUE, DYING FETUS, BORN OF OSIRIS, ORIGIN, BENEATH THE MASSACRE, AFTER THE BURIAL, DECREPIT BIRTH and BLACKGUARD. The European run of 'Summer Slaughter', with SUFFOCATION, SUICIDE SILENCE and THE FACELESS, was announced, but subsequently cancelled.