Country of origin:
Norway
Location:
Bergen, Vestland (early/later); United States / Italy / Greece (mid)
Status:
Active
Formed in:
1992
Genre:
Melodic Black Metal
Themes:
Satanism (early); Vampirism, Fear, Horror
Current label:
Soulseller Records
Years active:
1992-present
Ancient is a melodic black metal band formed in 1992 in Bergen, Norway, created by guitarist and composer Aphazel, who initially ran it as a one‑man project before joining forces with drummer/vocalist Grimm, who also coined the band’s name. Their early work—Eerily Howling Winds (1993) and Det glemte riket (1994)—quickly earned them a strong underground following, leading to the release of their debut album Svartalvheim (1994), now regarded as a cult classic of the Norwegian black‑metal tradition.
After the EP Trolltaar (1995), Grimm departed and Aphazel relocated to the United States, where he rebuilt the lineup and signed a multi‑album deal with Metal Blade Records.This period marked a shift from the raw satanic themes of the early years toward a more melodic, atmospheric, and gothic‑infused style, explored on albums such as The Cainian Chronicle (1996), Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends (1997), and The Halls of Eternity (1999). From 1998 onward, Aphazel lived in Italy, later moving to Greece in 2011 before eventually returning to Bergen, a nomadic path that shaped the band’s evolving sound and lineup.
Across the 2000s, Ancient continued refining their blend of melodic black metal, symphonic elements, and horror‑themed aesthetics, releasing Proxima Centauri (2001) and Night Visit (2004). After a long hiatus, they returned with Back to the Land of the Dead (2016), reconnecting with their darker, more aggressive roots. Now signed to Soulseller Records, Ancient remains active, celebrating decades of activity and the enduring legacy of their early works within the Norwegian black‑metal canon.
Compilation appearances:
- "Huldradans" (single version) on Sverd Storm (unknown label, 1994)
- "Eerily Howling Winds" on Orchestrations of the Damned (Morbid Metal, 1994)
- "Huldradans" on Winterthrone Sampler Tape (1994)
- "The Call of the Absu Deep" on Global Domination (Osmose Productions., 1995)
- "Det glemte riket" on Metal Massacre XII (Metal Blade Records, 1995)
- "The Curse" on Metalmeister: a Metal Blade Compilation (Metal Blade Records, 1996)
- "The Pagan Cycle" on Blackend: The Black Metal Compilation Volume 2 (Death Records, 1996)
- "Lillith's Embrace" on If You Can't Beat Us, Join Us. - Independent Music For Independent People (House of Kicks Records, 1996)
- "Eerily Howling Winds" on Hellish Art 1 (Graverock Prod., 1996)
- "Prophecy of Gehenna" on Pounding Power Volume 1 (Metalized, 1996)
- ""The Cainian Chronicle"/Part I: The Curse" on Offenbarungen Des Untergangs [Die Kompilation] (1996)
- "Lilith's Embrace" on Black Metal Heroes Volume Two VHS (Black Metal, 1996)
- "Um Gonbo Picodelico" on Rock Extremum 4/97 (Rock Extremum, 1997)
- "Cry of Mariamne" on Nordic Viking Hymns (Black Metal Ballads '97) (Moon Records, 1997)
- "Prophecy of Gehenna" on Welkome to the Afterworld (Black Metal Compilation '97) Tape (Moon Records, 1997)
- "Um Gonbo Picodelico" on Rock Extremum 4/97 (Rock Extremum Records, 1997)
- "Morte Al Potere" & "The Draining" on Deathmeister Volume 1 (a Metal Blade / Death Records Compilation) (Metal Blade Records/Death, 1998)
- "Det glemte riket" on Grim Harvest: Complete Metal Massacre Volumes I-XII (Metal Blade Records, 1998)
- "Her Northern Majesty" on Urban Metal War (Metal Blade Records, 1998)
- "Cosmic Exile" on Whiplash Vol. 5 (Magazin' Whiplash/ 1999)
- "Cosmic Exile" on KnuckleTrax Vol. XVII (Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, 1999)
- "Born in Flames" (edit) on Ablaze Dezember 1999 / Januar 2000 (Ablaze Magazine, 1999)
- "Cosmic Exile" on Mystic Productions cz. 3 (Thrash'em All, 1999)
- "I, Madman" on Mystic Art Vol. 9 (Mystic Art, 1999)
- "Vampirize Natasha" on Novum Vox Mortis: Metal Blade Compilation (Metal Blade Records/Novum Vox Mortis, 1999)
- "Cosmic Exile" on Metal X-Treme (Hard N' Heavy, 1999)
- "Cosmic Exile" on Whiplash Vol. 5 (Magazín Whiplash, 1999)
- "Cosmic Exile" on Mystic Productions cz. 3 (Thrash 'Em All, 1999)
- "I, Madman" on Mystic Art Vol. 9 (Mystic Art, 1999)
- "Willow the Wisp" on Metalmeister The Video Volume #2: A Metal Blade Compilation VHS (Metal Blade Records, 1999)
- "Eerily Howling Winds" on Metal Hammer Collection - Black Extremal (Lighthouse/EMI, 2000)
- "Det glemte riket" on Sign of the Hammer (Hammerheart America, 2000)
- "Eerily Howling Winds" on Black Collection (label unknown, 2000)
- "Halloween" on King Diamond Tribute (Necropolis Records, 2000)
- "Eerily Howling Winds" on Sign Of The Hammer (Hammerheart Records, 2000)
- "Born in Flames" on Metal Blade 2000 Sampler tape (Metal Blade Records, 2000)
- "Eerily Howling Winds" on Metal Hammer Collection - Black Extremal (Lighthouse Records, 2000)
- "Eerily Howling Winds" on Black Collection (cassette, 2000)
- "Satan's Child" on Off Road Tracks Vol. 48 (Metal Hammer, 2001)
- "Proxima Centauri" on Dynamit Vol. 29 (Rock Hard, 2001)
- "Proxima Centauri" on Adrenalina cz. 15 (Thrash'em All, 2001)
- "Proxima Centaury" on Hell Awaits CD Sampler N° 2 (Hell Awaits, 2001)
- "Powerslave (Iron Maiden cover)" on Death Campaign (Metal Blade Records, 2001)
- "Satan's Children" on Rocková Nálož 2 (Rockový Magazín Spark, 2001)
- "Proxima Centauri" on Legacy 05/01 (Legacy Magazine, 2001)
- "Proxima Centauri" on Hard Rock #55 (Hard Rock, 2001)
- "God Loves the Dead" video on Psychosonic! Volume 21 (Psycho!, 2001)
- "Satan's Children" on Israeli True Metal Force Vol.17 (Metal Hammer Israel, 2001)
- "On Blackest Wings" on Uncorrupted Steel (Metal Blade Records, 2002)
- "Rape the Children of Abel (Edit)" on Dynamit Vol. 42 (Rock Hard, 2004)
- "Rape the Children of Abel" on Let The Hammer Fall Vol. 28 (Metal & Hard Rock Hammer World, 2004)
- "Rape the Children of Abel" on Le Sampler-Rom RockHard N°35 (Rock Hard, 2004)
- "Fuel the Flames" on KnuckleTracks LXXXII (Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, 2004)
- "Night Visit" on Digital Video Destruction (Metal Blade Records, 2005)
- "Sweet Leaf (Black Sabbath cover)" on The Ultimate Sleaszy Rider Collection (Sleaszy Rider Records, CD/digital, February 2006)
- "Lilith's Embrace" on W:O:A Full Metal Juke Box (Vol. 3) (Golden Core Records, 2007)
- "Lilith's Embrace" on Wacken Open Air - Full Metal Collection (Golden Core Records, 2013)
- "Spiritual Supremacy" & "God Loves the Dead" on Metal Collection 2: Ragnarok CD-Rom (Deconstruction)
- "Trumps of an Archangel" on Sound Riot Sampler #2 Cassette (Sound Riot Productions)
- "The Cainian Chronicle, Part II: Lilith's Embrace" on TV Mix Collection 10 VHS (The Video Collection)
- "The Cainian Chronicle, Part II: Lilith's Embrace" and "Awaiting the Shinig" on Black Metal Kings Vol. 1 VHS (Monster Video)
Bootleg/Unofficial Releases:
- Nordic Holocaust 6 x Double 7 Inches Boxset Split/Boxset with Mayhem, Satyricon, Gorgoroth, Mysticum, Carpathian Forest (Thou Shalt Suffer Records, 2022)
| Current | |
| Zel | Bass (1992-1998), Drum programming (1992-1993), Guitars, Keyboards (1992-present), Vocals (1998-present) |
| See also: ex-Putrefaction, ex-Zion, Dirge, Melina Mortis, Moonshine, ex-Dreamlike Horror | |
| Dhilorz | Guitars, Bass, Vocals (backing) (1998-present) |
| See also: Grind Zero, ex-Unreal, ex-Amphitrium, ex-All Amort, ex-Alice in Darkland, ex-Infliction | |
| Past | |
| Vassago Rex | Drums |
| See also: Arvas, ex-Cold Eternity, ex-Lux Axiomus, ex-Örth, ex-Aeternus, ex-Dødsfall, ex-Frozen Cries, ex-Chaos Predicted, ex-Hesperus, ex-Negativ | |
| Grimm | Vocals, Drums (1993-1995) |
| See also: ex-Putrefaction, Dirge | |
| Kjetil | Drums (1995-1997) |
| Lord Kaiaphas | Drums, Percussion (1995-1998), Vocals (1995-1999) |
| See also: Le Chant Noir, Thokkian Vortex, ex-Meatgrinder, ex-Thokk, Dream Invaders, Minimal Criminal, Xaphan's Bellow, ex-Grand Belial's Key, ex-Kaiaphas | |
| Kimberly Goss | Keyboards, Vocals (female) (1995-1997) |
| See also: ex-Sinergy, ex-Avernus, ex-Children of Bodom (live), ex-Dimmu Borgir (live), ex-Fleurety (live), ex-Therion (live) | |
| Jesus Christ! | Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Piano, Cello, Vocals (backing) (1997-2005) |
| See also: ex-Horroble, Fullmoon Sideshow, ex-Wicked Little Dolls | |
| Erichte | Vocals (female) (1997-1998) |
| See also: ex-Spiritus Tenebrae | |
| Krigse | Drums (1998-2000) |
| Deadly Kristin | Vocals (female) (1998-2003) |
| See also: ex-Dreamlike Horror, Deadly Kristin, ex-Byaxis, ex-Frozen Soul | |
| GroM | Drums, Percussion, Vocals (backing) (2000-2006) |
| See also: Hortus Animae, ex-The K, ex-Andark (live), Testing Tomorrow, ex-DoomSword, ex-Hate Profile, ex-Defixio, ex-Alice in Darkland, ex-Opposite Sides, ex-Psychofagist | |
| Morfeus | Guitars (2008-?) |
| See also: Dimension F3H, Psykdom, Viper Solfa, ex-Limbonic Art, ex-Mayhem (live) | |
| Nicholas Barker | Drums (2009-2017) |
| See also: ex-Monolith, ex-Systematic Insanity, ex-Voices (live), ex-Liquid Graveyard, ex-Twilight of the Gods, ex-Catalepsy, ex-Atrocity, ex-Brujeria, ex-Cradle of Filth, ex-Dimmu Borgir, ex-Leaves' Eyes, ex-Lock Up, ex-Obskkvlt, ex-Old Man's Child, ex-Sadistic Intent, ex-Shining, ex-Testament, ex-Anaal Nathrakh (live), ex-Benediction (live), ex-Borknagar (live), ex-Cancer (live), ex-Criminal (live), ex-Exodus (live), ex-Nightrage (live), ex-Noctis Imperium (live), ex-Possessed (live), ex-Venom Inc. (live), ex-Stormwatch, ex-Anathema (live), ex-Cerebral Fix (live), ex-Nuclear Assault (live), ex-Borstal, ex-Driven by Suffering, ex-Monstrance, ex-United Forces, ex-Gorgoroth (live) | |
| Current (Live) | |
| Lord Kaiaphas | Vocals (2003, 2023, 2024-present) |
| See also: Le Chant Noir, Thokkian Vortex, ex-Meatgrinder, ex-Thokk, Dream Invaders, Minimal Criminal, Xaphan's Bellow, ex-Grand Belial's Key, ex-Kaiaphas | |
| Ghiulz Borroni | Guitars (lead) (2015-present) |
| See also: Breathing Hell, Bulldozer, Death SS, ex-Profanatum, ex-Sacrarium Execratus, ex-Faust, ex-Obscurity | |
| Ivan McSimon | Guitars (lead) (2017-present) |
| See also: Dyve, The Kreoles, ex-Clairvoyants, ex-TimeDust | |
| Tero Nevala | Keyboards, Vocals (backing) (2024-present) |
| See also: Iku-Turso, Wrathage, Order of Nosferat (live), Dorotha, ex-Dead Man's Grip, Liverbox, ex-Catamenia, ex-National Napalm Syndicate, ex-Blodsoffer | |
| Atum | Drums (2025-present) |
| See also: Aborym, Netón, Αχέροντας, Divine Codex, ex-Afterglow, ex-Biastema, ex-Setherial (live), ex-Destruction Ritual, ex-Caustic, ex-Cult of Vampyrism, ex-Horncrowned, ex-Impiety, ex-Kvntvr, ex-Lorn, ex-Nefasta, ex-The Last Oblation, ex-Tundra, ex-VII Arcano, ex-Orthodoxy (live), ex-Malfeitor, ex-Vidharr | |
| Past (Live) | |
| Kenneth Lian | Bass (1993) |
| See also: ex-Molested | |
| Qyasyar Archant | Bass (1994) |
| See also: ex-Asmodeus | |
| Pezz | Drums (1997) |
| Scorpios | Bass (1998-1999) |
| See also: Crimson Moon, Possession Ritual, Sabnack, Akrabu, E. V. P., ex-Demoncy, ex-Dethroned, ex-Gloriam, ex-Melechesh, ex-Αχέροντας, ex-Hortus Animae (live), ex-Zemial (live), ex-Behind Your Fear, ex-Infested, ex-Nibiru | |
| Profana | Drums (1998) |
| See also: Apocryph, Blood Stained Dusk, Lenax, Octagon, ex-Entrapment, ex-Wormreich, ex-Haxxan | |
| Lazarus | Keyboards (1998) |
| Thidra | Guitars (2000-2001) |
| See also: ex-Iblis, ex-Faust | |
| Aleister | Guitars (2001-2008) |
| See also: ex-Profanatum, ex-Faust, ex-Abgott (live), ex-Vidharr, ex-Bastard Saints (live) | |
| Bless | Keyboards (2004) |
| See also: Hortus Animae, Space Mirrors, Borderline, Hollywood Roses, Höt, Nashville, Overlook, ex-Morgan the Bard | |
| Gianka | Drums (2007) |
| See also: Amphitrium, ex-Enough to Kill, ex-Legion | |
| Asmodeus Draco Dux | Drums (2016-2017) |
| See also: Azrath-11, Naer Mataron, Obsidio, Slavocracy, Stygian Darkness, Thokkian Vortex, ex-Entreat., ex-Mestlet, ex-Deviate Damaen, ex-Handful of Hate, ex-Infernal Angels, ex-Kurgaall, ex-Melechesh (live), ex-Lost Soul, ex-Absentia Lunae, ex-Elodea, ex-Torke, ex-Fearbringer (live), ex-V.o.r.a.g.o. | |
| Anamnesi | Drums (2019-2021) |
| See also: Losa, Ossario, Progenie Terrestre Pura, Pyra, Simulacro, Darvaza (live), Nubivagant (live), ex-Accabbadora, ex-Anamnesi, ex-Cold Empire, ex-Dawn of a Dark Age, ex-Deathtopia, ex-Grind Zero, ex-Malauriu, ex-Vultur, ex-Nahabat | |
| Okrim | Drums (2021-2022) |
| See also: Extirpation, Tanun, ex-Bestial Lust, ex-Araphel, ex-Terrorsaw | |
| Volkun | Drums (2022-2025) |
| See also: Morost, Septic Order, Sovrag, ex-The Stone (live), ex-Alarm | |
| Grimm | Vocals (2022, 2023) |
| See also: ex-Putrefaction, Dirge | |
| Arjan | Bass (2023), Guitars (2023) |
| See also: Blackdeath, Cultus, Garde, Heervader, Pest, Sagenland, Uuntar, Absolutus (live), Graveland (live), Mordaehoth (live), ex-Gravenveld IX, Annwfyn, ex-Countess, ex-Genocide, ex-Heimdalls Wacht, ex-Lugubre, ex-Omegavortex, ex-Hekel (live), ex-Mortifera (live), ex-Bitter, ex-Jupiter, ex-Terg | |
| Eerily Howling Winds | Demo | 1993 | |
| Det glemte riket | Single | 1994 | |
| Svartalvheim | Full-length | 1994 | |
| Trolltaar | EP | 1995 | |
| The Cainian Chronicle | Full-length | 1996 | |
| Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends | Full-length | 1997 | |
| Det glemte riket | Compilation | 1999 | |
| The Halls of Eternity | Full-length | 1999 | |
| True Kings of Norway | Split | 2000 | |
| God Loves the Dead | EP | 2001 | |
| Proxima Centauri | Full-length | 2001 | |
| Night Visit | Full-length | 2004 | |
| Eerily Howling Winds - The Antediluvian Tapes | Compilation | 2005 | |
| Back to the Land of the Dead | Full-length | 2016 | |
| Eerily Howling Winds | Compilation | 2022 |