The band Cryptameria was named after Cryptomeria japonica, the Japanese cedar, an evergreen. The band began in Virginia in 1996 with members Tim "Smurf" Parks and Patrick "Rick" Redd. In 1997 vocalist Dionysis Metalcult (Dennis Warren) joined the band. In 1998 the group released a demo titled "Root", laying the foundations for a later album that would define the band's original sound. Soon afterward Harley D. Smith and HC Hodge joined Cryptameria. By the year 2000 the group had recorded and released the full length "Obelisk" album on "The Claw", their own independently operated recording label. The album had a short, but very solid impact, and catapulted the band to performances at local clubs and rock music festivals, as well as the internationally renowned 15th Annual Milwaukee Metalfest (2001) and New Jersey Metal Meltdown IV (2002) festivals. Not long after, the band would undergo various lineup changes, and also released a number of other recordings. Eventually the group disbanded, but several of the members continue to make music, and the Obelisk recording by Cryptameria remains in circulation.