Manifested in Wellington during 2005, AKANAME is a instrumental technical Death Metal project, initially featuring Alex Beere (a.k.a. 'Spray Unit' or 'Wombflooder') of BACKYARD BURIAL. The band did originally feature singers, Gareth Craze of GRAYMALKIN and Kallie Sparkles, but opted for purely instruments after the latter opting out in 2007. Debello Recordings released the EP 'Filthlicker' in December 2007. Beere departed the following year.

AKANAME relocated to Melbourne, Victoria. At this juncture the band comprised guitarists Ben Jackson and Matt Faisandier, bassist Matt Payne with Otis Chamberlain on drums. Both Faisanier and Chamberlain had association with ORNITHOLOGIST.

AKANAME returned in May 2009 with the EP 'Faith And Other Evolutionary Obstacles'.