Ancient

Biography

Ancient is a Norwegian black metal band formed in Bergen in 1992. The band has released six full-length albums on Metal Blade Records and a variety of mini-albums, EPs, and special releases. Ancient had a raw black metal sound similar to Darkthrone. Beginning with The Cainian Chronicle, they moved towards a Nordic/atmospheric black metal akin to Emperor and cleaner production. After lineup turmoil, they added gothic-style instruments such as violins, a female vocalist, and synthesizers.

History

The band started as a solo project of guitarist Aphazel in 1992. The following year, Grimm joined as drummer and vocalist. They released the Eerily Howling Winds demo in 1993 and the Det Glemte Riket EP in 1994. They signed to Listenable Records and released their debut album, Svartalvheim×Svartalvheim1 December 1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Svartalvheim1:232Trumps of an Archangel3:503Huldradans5:534The Call of the Absu Deep5:295Det glemte riket6:596Paa evig vandring9:167Ved trolltjern4:218Eerily Howling Winds4:209Likferd4:5310Outro2:27. After the release of the Trolltaar EP in 1995, Grimm left the band.
Aphazel moved to the United States, where he met Lord Kaiaphas of Virginia-based black metal band Grand Belial's Key, who became Ancient's singer and drummer. In 1996, the band signed with Metal Blade Records. Female vocalist and keyboardist Kimberly Goss and drummer Kjetil joined. They recorded Ancient's second full-length album, The Cainian Chronicle×The Cainian Chronicle17 June 1996 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Ponderous Moonlighting2:232The Cainian Chronicle, Part I: The Curse4:483The Cainian Chronicle, Part II: Lilith's Embrace6:164The Cainian Chronicle, Parts III & IV: Disciplines of Caine / Zillah and the Crone5:535At the Infernal Portal (Canto III)7:056Cry of Marianne3:037Prophecy of Gehenna4:048Song of Kaiaphas8:489Exu2:5210The Pagan Cycle7:3011Homage to Pan13:25. Guitarist/keyboardist Jesus Christ, aka Luci, joined the band. They toured Europe.
In 1997, Goss and Kjetil left the band. With a new lineup, Aphazel, Kiaphas, and Jesus Christ began writing. They recruited female singer Erichte. Ancient released their third album, Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends×Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends5 November 1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Malkavian Twilight0:402A Mad Blood Scenario4:233The Draining5:254Um sonho psycodelico4:015Sleeping Princess of the Arges6:326Her Northern Majesty5:517Blackeyes7:228The Emerald Tablet7:149Willothewisp7:2210Neptune2:371154:1012Hecate, My Love and Lust6:0413Vampirize Natasha2:3414Black Funeral2:50. After a world tour, Deadly Kristin became the new female vocalist. Aphazel moved to Italy.
During 1998, Krigse took over drums, Dhilorz became the new bassist, and Lord Kaiaphas left the band. In 1999, The Halls of Eternity was released, with Aphazel singing.

After Krigse left, Ancient found a replacement in the local metal scene. A new tour followed, including the band's first concerts in Scandinavia, and in 2000, Ancient played at Wacken Open Air with new drummer GroM, who joined in May 2000. The compilation EP God Loves the Dead×God Loves the Dead31 January 2001 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1God Loves the Dead3:502Trolltaar (2000 version)6:403Powerslave8:014The Draining (remix)5:285Um sonho psycodelico (remix)4:02 was released in January 2001, featuring remixes, a new single and a cover of Iron Maiden's "Powerslave".
Ancient's fifth album, Proxima Centauri×Proxima Centauri20 December 2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1A Lurking Threat0:392Proxima Centauri4:373The Ancient Horadrim4:504In the Abyss of the Cursed Souls5:595The Witch4:166Apophis2:577Satan's Children5:318Beyond the Realms of Insanity6:469Audrina, My Sweet2:4710On Blackest Wings3:1611Eyes of the Dead4:0012Incarnating the Malignant Deity9:32, was recorded at Los Angered Recording (Andy LaRocque's studio) and mastered at Sterling Sound in New York by Chris Athens. It was released in October 2001. Another world tour followed, including Mexico, Eastern Europe and Israel. Ancient moved closer to classic black metal, although more technical and polished. They began writing an album as a four-piece without female vocals.
In July 2004, Ancient released their sixth album, Night Visit×Night Visit2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Envision the Beast6:512Rape the Children of Abel5:263Horroble3:514Night Visit5:075Lycanthropy4:386Night of the Stygian Souls5:427Fuel the Flames4:478The Truth Unveiled7:419The Arctic Mirage2:3410Out in the Haunted Woods3:1111Night Visit5:14. Written in drummer Grom's studio at the feet of the Italian Alps, and Jesus Christ! writing in NJ (USA); the album was recorded at Studio Fredman and mixed by Swedish producer Fredrik Nordström. Following the release, the band embarked on another European tour called "A Night VisiTour" in 2005, with Illdisposed as co-headliners and Final Breath as support. In the end of 2005, GroM left the band and relocated to Los Angeles, CA.
Aphazel and Deadly Kristin released an album with their side-project called 'Dreamlike Horror', for Greek label Sleaszy Rider Records in June 2005.
Live, the band featured Aleister of Faust (a cult Italian death metal band) on guitar and following Grom's departure, also featured Nick Barker (Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir) on drums.
Ancient's original demos, including Eerily Howling Winds, were re-released in 2005 in an album called Eerily Howling Winds - The Antediluvian Tapes×Eerily Howling Winds - The Antediluvian Tapes16 February 2005 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Trolltaar6:122Nattens skjonnhet8:003Eerily Howling Winds3:494The Call of the Absu Deep5:295Det glemte riket7:326Trumps of an Arch-Angel3:537Paa evig vandring8:078Likferd4:419Det glemte riket7:40, after which the band went on hiatus.
In 2009 and 2010 they reformed for a new set of live shows in Spain and Portugal with Nick Barker as drummer.
Metal Blade has since then released a three-CD pack containing the band's three releases before the final Night Visit album: The Halls of Eternity×The Halls of Eternity13 October 1999 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Cast Into the Unfathomed Deeps1:582Born in Flames4:013The Battle of the Ancient Warriors5:264A Woeful Summoning7:035Cosmic Exile4:316Spiritual Supremacy5:147The Heritage8:148I, Madman6:069From Behind Comes the Sword4:4710The Halls of Eternity9:4111Arrival4:48, God Loves the Dead and Proxima Centauri.
In 2011, band's lead singer Aphazel had shortened his artist name to Zel and also announced plans for a new studio album. The album, Back to the Land of the Dead×Back to the Land of the Dead6 September 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Land of the Dead4:072Beyond the Blood Moon3:423The Sempiternal Haze4:254The Empyrean Sword5:455The Ancient Disarray5:456Occlude the Gates5:227The Excruciating Journey, Part I: Defiance and Rage5:138The Excruciating Journey, Part II: The Prodigal Years0:459The Excruciating Journey, Part III: The Awakening4:4710Death Will Die5:3411The Spiral6:1912Petrified by Their End9:271313 Candles4:19, was released in 2016 by EMP Label Group, with the group subsequently signing with Soulseller Records. In early 2016 the band recruited guitarist Ghiulz (Bulldozer) as session guitarist for live performances.

Svartalvheim + Trolltaar 25th anniversary

For the 25th anniversary, Ancient toured Europe with the lineup Zel, guitarist Ghiulz (Death SS/Bulldozer), bassist Dhilorz and drummer Volkun (Morost/Sovrag). The tour began early 2020 to celebrate the jubilee of early records Svartalvheim and Trolltaar and went into a forced pause due to the lockdowns.
In December 2022 former drummer Grimm made a guest appearance on the concerts in the Netherlands and Belgium, joining to perform vocals on two songs (Eerily Howling Winds and Likferd). It was his first appearance with the band in 28 years.

The Cainian Chronicle anniversary

In 2023, Lord Kaiaphas joined Ancient as a guest in the Cainian Chronicle tour, performing the entire album. The first performance of the tour was at the Cosmic Void Festival in London. Since then, Ancient has been touring in Europe and other countries performing the album.

Band members

Zel (formerly known as Aphazel) – guitar, keyboards (1992–present), lead vocals (1998–present), bass guitar (1992–1998), drum machine (1992–1993)
Lord Kaiaphas – vocals (1995–1999, 2023-present ), drums (1995–1998)
Dhilorz – bass guitar (1999–present)
Former members
Grimm – vocals and drums (1993–1995)
Kimberly Goss – female vocals (1995–1997), keyboards (1997)
Deadly Kristin (born Cristina Parascandolo; changed name to Hayam Nur as Sufi) – vocals and black arts (1998–2003)
Kjetil – drums (1996–1997)
Erichte – female vocals (1997–1998)
Krigse – drums (1998–2000)
GroM – drums (2000–2005)
Jesus Christ! (aka Luci) – keyboards (1997—2004), guitar (1997–1998), bass guitar (1997–1998), piano, cello (1997–1998) Carnygoat Music
Nick Barker – drums (2009–2017)
Timeline

Guest musicians
Neviah Luneville – vocals on "Envision the Beast" from Night Visit
Lady Omega – vocals on "Out in the Haunted Woods" from Night Visit
Moonbeam of Iblis – violin on "Envision the Beast" and "Night of the Stygian Souls" from Night Visit
Alex Azzali – additional guitars on "Night of the Stygian Souls" from Night Visit
Live Members
Lazarus – keyboards (2002)
Scorpios – bass guitar (1998–1999)
Ghiulz Borroni – guitar (2015–present)
Ivan McSimon – guitar (2017–?)
Mirko Soncini – drums (2021–?)
Volkun – drums (2022–?)
Arjan Peeks – bass/guitar (2023–?)