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 atmospheric and dark Black Metal into a full band with Grimm as vocalist/ drummer. The two released the "Eerily Howling Winds" demo and the "Det Glemte Riket" 7" in the years 1993 and 1994, and 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.

Aphazel moved to USA and recruited Lord Kaiaphas as the new vocalist. Impressed by his performance in the bands Grand Belials Key and Thokk, he was sure of his talent and value for the band. 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, "Liliths Embrace". This album also went on to become a classic in the genre.

1997, a few line- up changes took place and the album "Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends" was released, introducing guitarist/ keyboardist Jesus Christ ! A huge world tour followed, and afterwards, tired of life in the USA, Aphazel decided to move to back to Europe, this time Italy, after having met female vocalist Deadly Kristin. before to record the new album Hammerheart Records released the compilation album "Det Glemte Riket" with the alredy sold out mini cd "Trolltaar" and the 7" Det Glemte Riket plus some other rarities.

1999 brought "The Halls Of Eternity", a return to a heavier sound with Aphazel as the bands new vocalist, and Dhilorz was recruited on bass. Some touring followed including the bands first tour through Scandinavia. In 2000 Ancient did an impressive performance at the Wacken festival with new drummer Grom, receiving an excellent feedback by press, record company and fans. The mini album "God Loves The Dead" was released in January 2001, including special material like re-mixes, a cover, videos and other special material along with the title track, a release mainly for the die hard fans, waiting for the release of Proxima Centauri.

Recorded at the studio of Andy La Rocque, Los Angered Recording, and mastered at Sterling Sound, the band had created not just a masterpiece, but also an album with a production far better than the previous releases."Proxima Centauri", an album showing a great leap forward for the band, in all ways possible, showed a style more aggressive, heavier, more technical and complete than the Ancient from the past. A long tour followed and Ancient visited new places this time - like Mexico, East Europe, and was proud to be the first black metal band to ever visit countries like Israel, Bulgaria and Romania ( by the famous Transilvania region). After this, another line- up change took place and Deadly Kristin left the band due to practical reasons.

Now, 2 ½ years have passed since the release of Proxima Centauri and finally Night Visit arrives. This time with more input from all band members, the album shows several new elements in the bands sound resulting in an album not only well performed and composed, but also in a great evolution for the band. Including the promo-video for the title- track ( a story about a girl assailed by the dead), and a guest appearance of Lord Kaiaphas in the track Rape The Children Of Abel, this is a release all Ancient fans have been waiting for. Mixed by Fredrik Nordström at Sweden's famous Studio Fredman, Night Visit has been gathering a lot of interest from newer fans. It is an aggressive album, with great power and heaviness, yet with a good amount of melodic and atmospheric parts which creates the sound of Ancient 2004. As always, the band offers a good variety of songs, which results in an album hard to get bored of quickly. In March 2005 the greek label Sleazy Rider Records Re-released "Det Glemte Riket" and also Eerily Howling Winds (The Ante-diluvian Tapes) Ancient now have returned from the official European Tour of Night VisiTour with Denmarks Illdisposed (Roadrunner Recs.) as co-headliners and are in the midst of embarking on further tours in U.S., Canada, East Europe and more, to bring their music to every possible corner of the globe.

Ancient - Lilith's Embrace

Caine:

"Alone in the darkness I can hear the sweetest voice

whispering words of surcease and I rejoiced!
Who would dare speak to one so condemned as I?
Do you know of my most wicked crime?"

Lilith:
"I'm known as Lilith, your fahter's first bride
Like you I'm cursed to dwell in the shadows of night."

Caine:
"How can one survive here in the dark groves forlorn?
Without a sole companion or a friend of some form?"

Lilith:
"But there are many companions in my infinite kingdom.
Through magick and sorcery I've found my freedom."

Caine:
"I was cold and she clothed me,
I starved and she fed me,
I was mournful yet she loved me.
I shed bloody tears and she made them
disappear she kissed away my fears.
Her powers I could see would forever
set me free I begged her to awake me.
Her blood, sweet as wine, as I drank
she would sigh then I closed my eyes.

Into the dark I fell and fell a deepest abyss
surrounded by obscurity a price for her gift.

Out from the frigid blackness came a radiant glimmering light
revealing the flaming archangel known as Michael"

Micheal:
"Cursed son of Adam, indeed His mercy is great
bow thy head and repent thine sins now before it's too late."

Caine:
"Not by His grace but my own,
I choose to live with pride
your "merciful" God disgusts me
his Kingdom infested with lies."

Micheal:
"You sad irreverent fool have thee no shame?
Tou shall forever fear the light of the Living Flame."

Caine:
"On the morning by silver wing Raphael came to me and said
Abel did firgive me not by his (forgiveness) but mine own
for darkness is my home.

I walk alone, my skin would burn by the sun's rays I learned
and the dawn had returned to earth below
I did run seeking shelter from the sun
the endless night of Caine had begun.

When I awoke, Uriel appeared
the reaper with black wings
but thrice denied his grace
hence, my blood-curse begins & hellip."