Created in 1997 in Matinkylä in Southern Finland, BORN OF THORNS, fronted by vocalist / guitarist Simo of LORD EMPYREAN, debuted with the demo 'Necrorectum'. Drummer Black Messiah decamped in 1998 but was soon replaced by Patrik of LORD EMPYREAN as Markus was added on second guitar. Further changes illustrated the incestuous nature of BORN OF THORNS and LORD EMPYREAN as Markus joined LORD EMPYREAN whilst LORD EMPYREAN guitarist Peccath united with BORN OF THORNS. However, Markus was then drafted into the Finnish Army and Tapio Oksanen, bassist with CRAYDAWN, COSMIC SPHERE and MIRRORMASK, took over his guitar role. The band cut a 2001 demo entitled 'The Encounter Of Light And Dark'.

BORN OF THORNS contributed their rendition of CRADLE OF FILTH's 'To Eve The Art Of Witchcraft' for a Cleopatra tribute album 'Covered In Filth'. The 'New Horizon' EP surfaced in 2003.