Ancient

Founded in Bergen in 1992 around Aphazel, now named Zel, Ancient initially aligned itself with a raw and direct Norwegian black metal, before evolving toward more atmospheric, melodic forms and then, occasionally, tinted with gothic and symphonic elements. Initially conceived as a solo project, Ancient quickly became a band with the arrival of Grimm, then experienced numerous lineup changes that accompanied its aesthetic transformations. The first album, Svartalvheim (1994), prolonged the harshness of the early days, while The Cainian Chronicle (1996) marks a turn toward a broader and more crafted sound. With Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends (1997), The Halls of Eternity (1999) and Proxima Centauri (2001), Ancient develops a writing where fast riffs, atmospheric keyboards and a more narrative dimension take more space. Later settled in Italy around Zel, Ancient continues its journey with Night Visit (2004), then returns after a long discography pause with Back to the Land of the Dead (2016). Over the years, the band has circulated between Norwegian, European and American scenes, with stints by musicians such as Lord Kaiaphas, Kimberly Goss, Deadly Kristin or Nick Barker. Ancient remains active today around Zel and the bassist Dhilorz, with a repertoire that links the codes of 1990s black metal to a more constructed and melodic approach.