Eccentric Black Doom. Formed by It (real name Tony Särkää) in 1989 under the name of LEVIATHAN, It was later to create ABRUPTUM and VONDUR. Originally the band was fronted by All (a.k.a. Jim Berger) but he would depart prior to recording. The first album 'A Journey In Darkness', released through Italian label Avantgarde Music, would benefit from the production skills of EDGE OF SANITY mentor Dan Swanö and had guest lead vocals from Shadow, in reality DISSECTION vocalist Jon Nödtveidt. Piano contributions came courtesy of Axa (Alexandra Balogh).

Bass for OPHTHALAMIA's 1995 'Via Dolorosa' album was supplied by Mourning (Robert Ivarsson), from ASHES, INCAPICITY, PAN.THY.MONIUM and WOUNDED KNEE. Drummer Winter (Benny Larsson) would also hold impressive credentials as a member of EDGE OF SANITY, GODSEND and PAN-THY-MONIUM. Bassist Night (Emil Nödtveidt) also performed with SWORDMASTER and subsequently Electro-Metal act DEATHSTARS.

OPHTHALAMIA vocalist All, who also fronted VONDUR, replaced ex-BLACK GOAT man Legion (Erik Hagstedt) who quit to front premier Black Metal Thrashers MARDUK. In 1997 the group shifted shape, the new man on the drums would be Bone (Ole Öhman), another member of DISSECTION whilst Night took over bass but would later shift to second guitar, allowing Mist (Mikael Schelin), of OFERMOD and MALIGN, to cover the four string position.

With the apparent disappearance of It and the jailing for murder of Shadow it seemed OPHTHALAMIA's career was over but the band re-emerged in 1998 for the 'Dominion' album, a concept affair ambitiously based on Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. The other 1998 release 'A Long Journey' is in fact a re-recording of the debut album with extra tracks including a VENOM cover.

Särkää would also activate a new Thrash / trad Rock venture entitled 8THSIN during 2004, signing to Black Lodge Records. Jon Nödtveidt closed his career in a manner befitting his philosophies, committing suicide in August. DISSECTION band members released a statement claiming "he was more focussed, happier and stronger than ever" and "he chose to end his life by his own hands. As a true Satanist he led his life in the way he wanted and ended it when he felt that he had fulfilled his self-created destiny".

Nödtveidt, 31 years old, was found dead at his apartment in Hässelby, a suburb of Stockholm, on August 16th. Newspapers reported he had surrounded himself by candles and had a copy of Anton La Vey's 'The Satanic Bible'. Nödtveidt had ended his life with a shot to the head. Shortly beforehand he had told friends he was "going to Transylvania".