Vocalist Hate Rodvitnesson (Terje Sannerholt) and guitarists Gaut (Roy Mathisen) and Ty (Kenneth Abrahamsen) first combined their talents in 1989 to found the band BLASPHEMY. With the addition of drummer Mjolne (Kjetil Steien) in 1993 this outfit evolved into MACTÄTUS issuing the demo tape 'In Sorrow'. A second cassette titled 'Sorgvinter' scored the band a deal with the French label Embassy Productions and a debut album 'Blot'. For this outing MACTÄTUS were joined by bassist Herr Bukkefot (Erik Brandvik) but his departure followed shortly after recording.

As Embassy Productions was swallowed up in bankruptcy MACTÄTUS switched allegiances to the established Napalm label in Austria for second album 'Provenance Of Cruelty'. This record promoted the band into a whole new league and benefited from co-production of EMPEROR's Samoth and lyrical contributions courtesy of Nocturno Culto of DARKTHRONE. Female vocals were lent by Kathrine Abrahamsen.

'Provenance Of Cruelty' was recorded with SVARTHARID members bassist Istar (Finn Tore Kjærsgaard) and keyboard player Forn (Runar Bratsberg). Whilst the former would exit after the album sessions Forn stayed on as a permanent member. For the band's third album 'The Complex Bewitchment MACTÄTUS enrolled bassist Stian, better known as Mefistofeles. MACTÄTUS would cut the Peter Tägtgren produced 'Suicide' album in February of 2001, the record finally seeing the light of day in 2002.

Singer Per Erik Flatin, a man with apparent MACTÄTUS connections, would join ALSVARTER for a short spell in mid 1999. Stian enrolled into DEVOURED and THORNBOUND.