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 atmopsheric and dark Black Metal into a full band with Grimm as vocalist and drummer. The 2 released the "Eerily Howling Winds" demo and the "Det Glemte Riket" 7" in the years 1993 and 1994, 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.
Without wasting time, Aphazel moved to USA and recruited Lord Kaiaphas as the new vocalist in Ancient. After having heard his performance in Grand Belial‘s Key and Thokk, Aphazel was sure of his talent and value for the band. Shortly after having settled down in USA an extensive contract with Metal Blade Records was signed and in 1996, together with Kimberly Goss and Kjetil, they released the "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 very successful and a classic in the genre, and Metal Blade Records remained extremely satisfied with their new signing.
A few line- up changes took place and a year later the album "Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends" was released, introducing guitarist/ keyboardist Jesus Christ ! and female singer Erichte. A huge world tour followed, and in 1998, tired of life in the USA, Aphazel decided to relocate to Italy after having met Deadly Kristin.
Together with new drummer Krigse and Jesus Christ ! they released "The Halls Of Eternity" in 1999. This album was showing a somewhat return to a heavier and more guitar- based style similar to the early works of the band. Dhilorz was recruited on bass shortly after the recordings of ‘The Halls of Eternity’ and promptly showed to be an unexpendable asset to the band. Some touring followed including the band’s first tour through Scandinavia. After a short period Krigse left Ancient due to personal and musical differences, and to take his place the band immediately aimed for GroM, an established drummer in the local Italian scene. and in 2000 Ancient did an impressive performance at the Wacken festival with new drummer Grom and bassist Dhilorz, recieving an excellent feedback by press, record company and fans.
The band started preparing material for the next Ancient album in september 2000 and kept working until April with the new songs in GroM’s personal studio. In the meanwhile, the mini album "God Loves The Dead" was released in January 2001, including special material like re-mixes, a cover, a re-recording of the classic ‘Trolltaar’, videos and other special material along with the title track. Some touring took place around Europe before the band settled down to complete the writing of the new record.
Ancient entered the studio of Andy La Rocque (King Diamond), Los Angered Recording in May with Jacob Hansen behind the mixer. The result turned out nothing but brilliant and with a mastering- job at Sterling Sound the band had created a new album not only the best performed and written music ever made by the band, but also with a production far better than the previous Ancient releases, leaving everyone completely satisfied.
Ancient now release "Proxima Centauri", an album showing a great leap forward for the band in all ways possible. The album shows a style more aggressive, heavier and more techincal and complete than the Ancient we know from the past. Keeping the best of the bands roots and incorporating new original and somewhat innovative elements, "Proxima Centauri" will satisfy the expectations any fan of extreme metal may possibly have.
After the release of this album a long tour will follow and Ancient plans to visit every corner of the world on this tour. The "10th Anniversary Tour" of Ancient will not only show the wolrd the best line- up in the band and a powerful sound handled by the band’s own sound engineer, but also a stage that will visually please many. From here the band will only move in one direction ! Towards "Proxima centauri" ! A universal Hell !
