Ancient - Biography
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1994-
Biography
Ancient was originally a solo project of guitarist and composer Aphazel, started in Norway in the year of 1992. Aphazel quickly developed his project of atmospheric and dark Black Metal into a full band with Grimm as vocalist/drummer. The two released the 'Eerily Howling Winds' demo and the 'Det Glemte Riket' 7" in the years 1993 and 1994, and the band quickly established a strong following in the underground Black Metal scene worldwide, and, among others, Listenable Records/Osmose noticed the potential of this band and released the debut album of Ancient, namely 'Svartalvheim'. This album was bound to be one of the most sold and appreciated of this musical genre and is today considered a Black Metal classic. The mini album 'Trolltaar' followed a year later and ended up being the last release with Grimm, who went into other directions musically.
Aphazel moved to USA and recruited Lord Kaiaphas as the new vocalist. Impressed by his performance in the bands Grand Belial's Key and Thokk, he was sure of his talent and value for the band. An extensive contract with Metal Blade Records was signed and in 1996, together with Kimberly Goss and Kjetil, they released 'The Cainian Chronicle' filled with big guitars and great atmospheres, followed by a European tour and the video, "Lilith's Embrace". This album also went on to become a classic in the genre.
1997, a few lineup changes took place and the album 'Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends' was released, introducing guitarist/keyboardist Jesus Christ! A huge world tour followed, and afterwards, tired of life in the USA, Aphazel decided to move to back to Europe, this time Italy, after having met female vocalist Deadly Kristin.
1999 brought 'The Halls of Eternity', a return to a heavier sound with Aphazel as the band's new vocalist, and Dhilorz was recruited on bass. Some touring followed including the band's first tour through Scandinavia. In 2000 Ancient did an impressive performance at the Wacken festival with new respected drummer Grom, receiving an excellent feedback by press, record company and fans. The mini album 'God Loves the Dead' was released in January 2001, including special material like re-mixes, a cover, videos and other special material along with the title track, a release mainly for the die hard fans, waiting for the release of 'Proxima Centauri'.
Recorded at the studio of Andy La Rocque, Los Angered Recording, and mastered at Sterling Sound, the band had created not just a masterpiece, but also an album with a production far better than the previous releases. 'Proxima Centauri', an album showing a great leap forward for the band, in all ways possible, showed a style more aggressive, heavier, more technical and complete than the Ancient from the past. A long tour followed and Ancient visited new places this time - like Mexico, East Europe, and was proud to be the first black metal band to ever visit countries like Israel, Bulgaria and Romania (by the famous Transilvania region). After this, another lineup change took place and Deadly Kristin left the band due to practical reasons.
Now, 2½ years have passed since the release of 'Proxima Centauri' and finally 'Night Visit' arrives. This time with more input from all band members, the album shows several new elements in the band's sound resulting in an album not only well performed and composed, but also in a great evolution for the band. Including the promo video for the title track (a story about a girl assailed by the dead), and a guest appearance of Lord Kaiaphas in the track "Rape the Children of Abel", this is a release all Ancient fans have been waiting for. Mixed by Fredrik Nordström at Sweden's famous Studio Fredman, Night Visit has been gathering a lot of interest from newer fans. It is an aggressive album, with great power and heaviness, yet with a good amount of melodic and atmospheric parts which creates the sound of Ancient 2004. As always, the band offers a good variety of songs, which results in an album hard to get bored of quickly. Ancient now have returned from the official European Tour of 'Night VisiTour' with Denmark's Illdisposed (Roadrunner Recs.) as co-headliners and are in the midst of embarking on further tours in U.S., Canada, East Europe and more, to bring their music to every possible corner of the globe. Beware their Nocturnal Visit!
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taken from http://www.myspace.com/ancientband
Aphazel moved to USA and recruited Lord Kaiaphas as the new vocalist. Impressed by his performance in the bands Grand Belial's Key and Thokk, he was sure of his talent and value for the band. An extensive contract with Metal Blade Records was signed and in 1996, together with Kimberly Goss and Kjetil, they released 'The Cainian Chronicle' filled with big guitars and great atmospheres, followed by a European tour and the video, "Lilith's Embrace". This album also went on to become a classic in the genre.
1997, a few lineup changes took place and the album 'Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends' was released, introducing guitarist/keyboardist Jesus Christ! A huge world tour followed, and afterwards, tired of life in the USA, Aphazel decided to move to back to Europe, this time Italy, after having met female vocalist Deadly Kristin.
1999 brought 'The Halls of Eternity', a return to a heavier sound with Aphazel as the band's new vocalist, and Dhilorz was recruited on bass. Some touring followed including the band's first tour through Scandinavia. In 2000 Ancient did an impressive performance at the Wacken festival with new respected drummer Grom, receiving an excellent feedback by press, record company and fans. The mini album 'God Loves the Dead' was released in January 2001, including special material like re-mixes, a cover, videos and other special material along with the title track, a release mainly for the die hard fans, waiting for the release of 'Proxima Centauri'.
Recorded at the studio of Andy La Rocque, Los Angered Recording, and mastered at Sterling Sound, the band had created not just a masterpiece, but also an album with a production far better than the previous releases. 'Proxima Centauri', an album showing a great leap forward for the band, in all ways possible, showed a style more aggressive, heavier, more technical and complete than the Ancient from the past. A long tour followed and Ancient visited new places this time - like Mexico, East Europe, and was proud to be the first black metal band to ever visit countries like Israel, Bulgaria and Romania (by the famous Transilvania region). After this, another lineup change took place and Deadly Kristin left the band due to practical reasons.
Now, 2½ years have passed since the release of 'Proxima Centauri' and finally 'Night Visit' arrives. This time with more input from all band members, the album shows several new elements in the band's sound resulting in an album not only well performed and composed, but also in a great evolution for the band. Including the promo video for the title track (a story about a girl assailed by the dead), and a guest appearance of Lord Kaiaphas in the track "Rape the Children of Abel", this is a release all Ancient fans have been waiting for. Mixed by Fredrik Nordström at Sweden's famous Studio Fredman, Night Visit has been gathering a lot of interest from newer fans. It is an aggressive album, with great power and heaviness, yet with a good amount of melodic and atmospheric parts which creates the sound of Ancient 2004. As always, the band offers a good variety of songs, which results in an album hard to get bored of quickly. Ancient now have returned from the official European Tour of 'Night VisiTour' with Denmark's Illdisposed (Roadrunner Recs.) as co-headliners and are in the midst of embarking on further tours in U.S., Canada, East Europe and more, to bring their music to every possible corner of the globe. Beware their Nocturnal Visit!
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taken from http://www.myspace.com/ancientband