The name (Necrophagist) originates from the Greek roots νεκρο- nekro- ("dead") and -φαγος -phagos ("eater of"). This literally translates to "eater of the dead".

Around the age of 10 Suçimez began listening to death metal, and took up an interest in music. At the age of 14, in 1989, Suiçmez wrote the lyrics for Onset of Putrefaction. Inspired by Carcass at the time, the lyrics were gory and dark. His soloing style is influenced in a large part by Malmsteen and his neo-classical style, as can be seen with his extensive use of the harmonic minor scale, and use of legato techniques and sweep picking.

The outro guitar solo on "Only Ash Remains" is derived from a piece from Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet Suite (Montagues & Capulets). Also, there is a section in "The Stillborn One" that is taken directly from the introduction of Ludvig van Beethoven's "Für Elise."

On the Canadian leg of the 2009 "Summer Slaughter Tour", Necrophagist ended up headlining due to Behemoth being held up at the border of the United States for not filling out new documents which had not been completed.