The band was formed in 2006 in
Lowestoft, England. That same year, they released a first demo titled
Demo 2006. In 2007, the band released their debut EP,
Welcome to Sludge City. In 2008, the band released their first full-length studio album,
Before the Throne of Infection, which allowed them to become known beyond England and to start touring across Europe. The album was favorably received by the specialized press. To promote the album, the band performed at the Download Festival and took part in the Summer Slaughter Tour 2008, with
Suicide Silence,
As Blood Runs Black,
Abigail Williams,
Born of Osiris and
The Berzerker). In August 2008, Dan Smith left Annotations of an Autopsy and was replaced by Lyn Jeffs from
Ingested. In March 2009, the band signed to
Nuclear Blast, and in July, they began recording their next album in Foel Studio, known for working with bands like
Napalm Death and
Electric Wizard. Later that month and in August, they headlined the European Dominatour, supporting
Trigger the Bloodshed, Viatrophy and Burning Skies. 2009 also saw a lineup change; Ross Davey left Annotations of an Autopsy in March, followed by Lyn Jeffs in September. The new members were Nath Applegate (bass) and Brad Merry (drums). In January 2010, the band released their second album, entitled
II: The Reign of Darkness, with its title and cover art revealed in October 2009. Released on January 22, with streaming becoming available a week earlier, the album benefited from a promotion much superior to that of its predecessor. Music videos were made for the songs "Bone Crown" and "Stage Breaker", the latter from the band's 2011 EP
Dark Days. Before the recording of
Dark Days, more lineup changes occurred in 2010; guitarist Sam Dawkins left to focus on his personal life, followed by drummer Brad Merry due to disagreements and living far away from the rest of the band. They were replaced by Don Jones and Neil Hayward, respectively. In March 2012, the group went on a European tour with My Autumn,
Frontside and Drown My Day in Europe. In April, the band announced that they would be going on indefinite hiatus after performing several more festivals and local concerts, the last one in early 2013. During their hiatus, Annotations of an Autopsy was only active for occasional reunions and an EP released in 2019 titled
World of Sludge. In 2025, it was announced that the band reformed and will participate in the
Slaughter to Prevail "Grizzly Winter" tour along with
Suicide Silence and
Dying Fetus, planning to perform the entire
Welcome to Sludge City EP on each date, although the track 'Serpents' was absent from the setlist, and the songs 'World of Sludge' and 'Prosthetic Erection' were also played. ==Musical style and influences==