Current Members
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Rising out of Norway in 1992, Aphazel's solo project Ancient rapidly developed into a full time band with the addition of vocalist/ drummer Grimm in 1993. Ancient paved a dark path with releases such as the "Eerily Howling Winds" demo and the classic full length "Svartalvheim," and mini album "Trolltaar". Separating from Grimm in '95 due to musical differences, Aphazel went to USA and recruited Kaiaphas from the Virginia based band, Grand Belial's Key. With the new line up formed, Ancient signed a five album deal with Metal Blade records.
In 1996 "The Cainian Chronicle", quite a progression for the band, was released. It was followed by a European tour in early 1997. Kimberly Goss is no longer part of Ancient due to complicated differences.
"Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends", was unleashed in fall of 1997, and continued to demonstrate that Ancient has continued to move forward with darker innovation. Recorded in August of 97 "Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends" reflects this band's ability to stretch the imagination with eclectic antiquity without sacrificing its Black Metal roots. The music is intense and captivating using everything from ambient keyboards and piano to dark melodic cello and DJ Underground Element to accent the hardcore nature of the guitars, bass, and pulsating drumbeats. All this plus the bands decision to expand the spectrum of lyrical content by introducing Thorne, a passionately satanic satirist with the ability to embrace minds through allegorical blasphemy and intrinsic metaphor, you can be sure this album contains an element for everyone's dark desire.
"Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends" features Erichte from New Orleans, she adds to the album's dark dimensions with beautifully powerful female vocals in league with that of Kaiaphas who has a fetish for blood curdling screams and violent tenacity. Even Jesus Christ himself was enticed to join Ancient as a guitarist, celloist and pianist with a knack for kicking christianity where it counts. "As a satanist I choose the name Jesus Christ to portray the character of Christ in its true form, as an entertainer and destroyer !"
Listeners of Ancient's "Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends" will find them- selves enveloped in a spine tingling journey through the minds of the very unique individuals that make Ancient's eclecticly horrifying, insanely spellbinding, monstrosity of Black Metal.