Dissection first disbanded in 1997 due to Jon Nödtveidt's murder conviction. He served time in prison until early 2004 at which point he reactivated the band.

On August 16, 2006, frontman Jon Nödtveidt committed suicide.
Nödtveidt's death was confirmed by the Swedish distributor Sound Pollution, whose staff has worked with Dissection throughout the band's career. A posting on the Sound Pollution web site, http://www.soundpollution.se, reads: "RIP Jon Nödtveidt 1975-2006. Condolences from Sound Pollution & Black Lodge."
The band also made an official statement upon Dissection's official website.