Polish black metal combo Cultus Sanguine was formed in mid-1993 by vocalist Ferghieph and guitarist/bassist Aqua Regis; originally conceived as a duo, the roster quickly expanded with the addition of drummer Custus Arckanorum, and soon the group recorded their first demos. After recording a self-titled 1995 mini-LP for the Italian label Wounded Love, Cultus Sanguine added keyboardist Rex Nebulah before signing to the Candlelight label for 1998's Shadows Blood; shortly after completing the disc, both Aqua Regis and Custus Arckanorum exited the lineup, paving the way for the additions of guitarist Aurian and drummer Nox Perpetua. ~ Jason Ankeny