ATANATOS wurde Ende 1993 unter dem Namen ANUS PRAETER gegründet. Nach anfänglichen regionalen Erfolgen konnte die Band schnell ihren Bekanntheitsgrad überregional ausweiten. Es folgten die Demos "Quem Pastores Laudavere" und " Ancient Blood" (Eigenproduktionen), woraufhin auch schon die ersten Labels Interesse zeigten. Die Band entschloss sich 1996 bei "Last Episode" einen Vertrag zu unterschreiben. 1996 erschien die erste MCD/MLP "Assault of heathen forces", 1997 eine Split-7" mit IMPENDING DOOM, gefolgt von der 1998er Debüt-CD/LP "The oath of revenge" und der Pic-7" "Castle in the dark" im selben Jahr. 1999 veröffentlichte ATANATOS das 2. Album "Devastation - the 3rd attack" als bisher letztes Release. Die Band tourte zusammen mit RAGNARÖK und SIEBENBÜRGEN und spielten Konzerte mit SODOM, ANCIENT RITES, DEW SCENTED, NECRONOMICON, GRAVE, DISBELIEF, EKTOMORF, DANSE MACABRE, IMPENDING DOOM, PURGATORY, EUCHARIST, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, MENHIR, DESASTER, AGATHODAIMON, EISREGEN ... und waren auf vielen wichtigen Festivals wie PARTY.SAN, METAL TO THE METALS, FROM BEYOND, CHRONICAL MOSHERS, UNITED METAL MANIACS usw. vertreten. Diese Aktivitäten fand durchweg positive Beachtung in relevanten Magazinen wie ROCK HARD, METAL HAMMER, LEGACY, ORKUS, SONIC SEDUCER ... sowie Fanzines und Airplayss. 2002 trennten sich ATANATOS von ihrem Label "Last Episode" und zogen sich für eine längere Zeit zurück, um angesammelte Ideen verwirklichen und neue Einflüsse musikalisch verarbeiten zu können. Die Eigenproduktion "Beast Awakening" ist das eindrucksvolle Ergebnis dieser Schaffensphase der Band.
Nach weiteren Live-Shows auf Festivals, wie dem HELL'S PLEASURE, traten 2005 METAL AXE RECORDS mit ATANATOS in Kontakt. Anfang 2006 unterschrieb die Band einen Vertrag bei diesem deutschen Label.

In 1993 ATANATOS' forerunner ANUS PRAETER was formed by Jan and René Gropp. In the following year ANUS PRAETER release their first demo, "Quem Pastores Laudavere", which kicked ass and became "Demo of the Year" in the Suffer magazine of Volkmar W. (today: Cothurnus, Legacy). In 1995 ANUS PRAETER change their name into ATANATOS and release the second demo which easily follows the success of the first one: "The driving guitar riffs, the variable vocals, everything seems to be well thought out and is very good transposed. The first class sound only adds to it." (Ablaze No.10) In the German underground their reputation continues to grow. ATANATOS get a deal with Last Episode and in 1997 they record the Mini CD "Assault of Heathen Forces" which does not only impress in the Cothurnus magazine: " Very majestic, powerful Black Metal hymns which sometimes remind me on early SATYRICON or later DIMMU BORGIR. Very impressive. ATANATOS are the best band that Germany's Black Scene has to offer." ATANATOS enter the studio again and their first full length album "Oath of Revenge" is released in January 1998. This kick in the head album is received with unbound enthusiasm: "´The Oath of Revenge` is a successful symbiosis of fast atmospheric parts, thrashing brutality and hymnal songs." ATANATOS tour together with RAGNARÖK and SIEBENBÜRGEN and play shows with SODOM, ANCIENT RITES, DANCE MACABRE, IMPENDING DOOM, PURGATORY, EUCHARIST, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, MENHIR, DESASTER, AGATHODAIMON, EISREGEN. They record the 7" Picture "Castle in the Dark" and their "Outbreak of Evil" cover version is chosen for the "Tribute to SODOM" Sampler. Returning to the studio in February 1999 they record the second album "Devastion - The Third Attack" and www.metal-observer.de reviews it as follows: "A such successful mixture of Black Metal and driving Power/Heavy Metal can rarely be found.". ATANATOS play live until their constant drummer Timur Kiper leaves the band. They write songs and Patrick W. Engel supports the band as temporary drummer during the following years. ATANATOS play shows and perform on the "Parti.San" 2002 , the "Metal to the Metals" 2003 and the "Chronical Moshers" 2004.
Entering the Stage with their new drummer Eik in 2005, ATANATOS play on festivals like UNITED METAL MANIACS and HELL'S PLEASURE. At the End of 2005 METAL AXE RECORDS get in contact with the Band. In January 2006 ATANATOS sign a contract with this German label.