After several other projects by each member (including programming on a Killing Joke record in 1994), ambient dub duo Pitch Black were formed in New Zealand in 1996 by Paddy Free and Michael Hodgson. Their debut album, Futureproof, was released in September 1998, followed by Electronomicon in August 2000. Ape to Angel became the first U.S. release from the duo, issued by KOG Records in October 2004.