Ancient

Black metal outfit Ancient originated in 1992 when Norwegian guitarist and composer Aphazel launched it as a one-man endeavor. Vocalist and drummer Grimm soon joined, turning the project into a partnership that quickly sold through its entire run of the debut demo Eerily Howling Winds. Their first album, Svartalvheim, appeared in 1994, with the EP Trolltaar arriving the following year. Grimm departed shortly afterward, prompting Aphazel to leave Norway for the United States, where he assembled a fresh configuration featuring vocalists Lord Kaiaphas and Kimberly Goss alongside drummer Kjetil. The group signed with Metal Blade and delivered The Cainian Chronicle in 1996. Kjetil alone carried over into the next release, 1997’s Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends, which introduced vocalist Erichte and guitarist/keyboardist Jesus Christ. Aphazel’s subsequent relocation to Italy caused Erichte and Kjetil to exit; vocalist Deadly Kristin and drummer Krigse came aboard for the 1999 fourth album The Halls of Eternity. Further personnel adjustments followed, and 2001’s Proxima Centauri eliminated the female vocals while returning to the band’s foundational black metal style. Concerts eventually spanned North America, Europe, Scandinavia, and North Africa. After Night Visit surfaced in 2004, live activity grew infrequent before stopping completely. The band reconvened in 2009 with Nick Barker on drums, resuming occasional touring while finishing material for the long-delayed seventh album Back to the Land of the Dead, issued in 2016 on Soulseller Records.