Anciients

Formed in the early 2010s in Vancouver, British Columbia, Anciients (often stylized ANCIIENTS) emerged from a Canadian metal scene known for genre blending. The band originally revolved around Kenny Cook, Chris Dyck, Aaron Gustafson and Mike Hannay; guitarist Brock MacInnes later joined and Dyck left in 2017, consolidating a four-piece lineup. Signed to Season of Mist, Anciients released their first EP, Snakebeard, in 2011, followed by the debut album Heart of Oak in 2013 and Voice of the Void in 2016. These releases established a direction toward dense progressive metal, combining heavy, sludge-adjacent riffs, slow doom-influenced tempos and more melodic passages. Anciients’ compositions favor extended structures, pronounced dynamic shifts and a balance between rough vocals and cleaner singing, with guitars alternating between massive motifs and harmonized lines that draw on 1970s rock. Active on North American and European touring circuits, Anciients has gradually become a regular presence at festivals and clubs devoted to contemporary metal.