ANCIENT

• Formed: 1992
• Genres: Rock
• Representative Albums: "Halls of Eternity," "The Cainian Chronicle," "Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends"




Biography

Black metal band Ancient began in 1992 as the solo project of guitarist/composer Aphazel, soon expanding to a duo with the addition of vocalist/drummer Grimm; after selling out the entire pressing of their initial demo Eerily Howling Winds, in 1994 the two issued their full-length debut Svartalvheim, followed a year later by the EP Trolltaar. After Grimm's exit, Aphazel relocated from his native Norway to the U.S., forming a new Ancient line-up with vocalists Lord Kaiaphas and Kimberly Grimm as well as drummer Kjetil. Signing to Metal Blade, the band issued 1996's The Cainian Chronicle; of the new roster additions, only Kjetil remained for the 1997 follow-up Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends, recorded with new vocalist Erichte and guitarist/ keyboardist Jesus Christ. Aphazel then moved to Italy, resulting in the exits of Erichte and Kjetil; new vocalist Deadly Kristin and drummer Krigse were installed for Ancient's fourth LP, 1999's The Halls of Eternity.

History

Ancient is a Norwegian black metal band from Eidsvåg, Nesset, formed in 1992. The band has released six full-length albums released by Metal Blade Records. Ancient used to have a raw black metal sound, similar to Darkthrone's works. Beginning with The Cainian Chronicle, they moved towards a more Nordic/atmospheric black metal sound, akin to Emperor. After a period of turmoil concerning their line-up, they went on to add gothic-style instruments such as violins, female vocals, and synthesizers to their music.

The band initially started as a solo project of guitarist Aphazel in 1992. The following year, Grimm joined the band as drummer and vocalist. They released the Eerily Howling Winds demo in 1993 and the Det Glemte Riket EP in 1994. They subsequently signed to Listenable Records and released their debut album, Svartalvheim. After the release of the Trolltaar EP in 1995, Grimm left the band.
Aphazel then moved to the United States where he met Lord Kaiaphas of NSBM band Grand Belial's Key, who soon became the new vocalist and drummer of Ancient. In 1996 the band signed a contract with Metal Blade Records (which led to sellout accusations), and two new members joined the band: Kimberly Goss as a female vocalist and keyboardist, and Kjetil as a drummer. Together, they recorded Ancient's second full-length album The Cainian Chronicle, and later embarked on a European tour. Although Brian Slagel of Metal Blade said he would not sign white power bands and Ancient members contributed to such projects, the band is still signed with the label.

In 1997, Goss was replaced by Erichte, Kjetil left the band, and a new guitarist/keyboardist entered Ancient under the name of Jesus Christ!. With the new lineup, Ancient released their third album, Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends. After a world tour, Aphazel met Deadly Kristin, who became the new female vocalist, and he decided to move to Italy.

1998 brought more lineup changes: Krigse took over the drums, Dhilorz (who later contributed to French NSBM band Ad Hominem as a live member) became the new bassist, and Lord Kaiaphas left the band. In 1999, The Halls of Eternity was released, with Aphazel as the new vocalist. 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. A compilation EP called God Loves the Dead came out in January 2001.
Ancient's fifth album, Proxima Centauri, was recorded at Los Angered Recording (Andy LaRocque's studio) and mastered at Sterling Sound. It was then released on October 15, 2001. Another tour followed, including Mexico, Eastern Europe and Israel (though the band pretended to be the first foreign black metal band to have played in Israel, the Aeba and Ancient Rites were there before). After the tour, Deadly Kristin decided to leave the band.



On July 13, 2004, Ancient released their sixth album, Night Visit. The album was recorded at Studio Fredman mixed by famous Swedish producer Fredrik Nordström. The band embarked on another European tour called "A Night VisiTour" in 2005, with Illdisposed as co-headliners and Final Breath as support. After the tour, GroM left the band. Ancient's original demos, including Eerily Howling Winds, were re-released in 2005 in an album called Eerily Howling Winds - The Antediluvian Tapes.
Since then, a lull of inactivity that would last three years would come about, and since then Ancient have been dropped from Metal Blade Records. In 2009 they reformed, with Nicholas Barker in tow, to beginning a new set of live shows.

Band members

• Aphazel – guitar (Since 1992), lead vocals (Since 1998), bass guitar (1992–1998), drum machine (1992–1993), keyboards (1993–1998)
• Dhilorz – bass guitar (Since 1999)
• Jesus Christ! – keyboards (Since 1997), guitar (1997–1998, 2004 onward), bass guitar (1997–1998), piano, cello (1997–1998)
• Nicholas Barker – drums (Since 2009)

Former members

• Grimm – vocals and drums (1993–1995)
• Kimberly Goss – female vocals (1995–1997), keyboards (1997)
• Deadly Kristin – female vocals and black arts (1998–2003)
• Lord Kaiaphas – vocals (1995–1999), drums (1995–1998), guest lead vocals (2004)

• Kjetil – drums (1995–1997)
• Erichte – female vocals (1998)
• Lazarus – keyboards (1998)
• Krigse – drums (1998–2000)
• Scorpios – bass guitar (1998–1999)
• GroM - drums (2000–2005)

Discography

Studio albums

• Svartalvheim (1994)
• The Cainian Chronicle (1996)
• Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends (1997)
• The Halls of Eternity (1999)
• Proxima Centauri (2001)
• Night Visit (2004)

EPs
• Det Glemte Riket (1994)
• Trolltaar (1994)

Demos
• Eerily Howling Winds (1993)

Compilations

• Det Glemte Riket (1999)
• God Loves the Dead (2001)
• Eerily Howling Winds - The Antediluvian Tapes (2005)