Dirge was born in Paris, France in 1994. The original core was formed by Marc T. (guitar, programming) and by ex-Damage Done, Laurent P. (voice, programming). In the industrial-metal genre of bands like Godflesh or Pitchshifter, the music generated by the duet presents harsh guitar riffs, robotic rhythms, aggressive frequenced samples and pitched voices. Three demo-tapes will be released during this first era. After this, Dirge took a more alternative course and started exploring post-metal, while holding on to their industrial sound.

At the same time, Marc T. begins to work on his new solo electronica project Dither. 7 albums and EP’s will be released from 98 to 2004.

After the leaving of Laurent P., bass player David K. and ex-Astral Rising’s guitarist Franck T. join the band. This first change in the line-up coincides with a noisier and less electronic curve; around the torn-downed voice of Marc T., the music goes darker, tortured, dissonant. The first album Down, Last Level is released in 1998.

1999, Alain B. (drums) and ex-Agmen Christophe D. (machines, percussions and voice) strengthen the band. Thus humanized, the music of Dirge goes much more heavy and stifling, guitars becoming the center of gravity of the second album Blight and Vision Below a Faded Sun (released in 2000 on the own band’s label, Blight Records).

Replacing Franck T. and David K., gone to their own projects Dub Wiser and Wide Open Cage, ex-Agmen Christian M. (bass) then guitarist Stéphane L. join Dirge in 2001. Three years later, the third record And Shall the Sky Descend is released and introduces a more hypnotic aspect of the band’s music.