Rising from the depths of Svartalveheim...
Mud Bog | Cary, NC United States | 12/08/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ancient was my first black metal band.
Ancient formed in the early 1990's. It was origianlly juat Aphazel on Guitar bass keys and a drum machine. Gorgoroth/Immortal drummer Grimm joined and they recorded the Det Glemte Riket single. Det Glemte Riket is Norweigian for The Past Empire or something. After that they recorded Svartalvheim. The band was in the Burzum vein of early 90's Black metal; heavy on meolody and atmosphere. The vocals are much less annoying though. They followed up with the Trolltaar EP (I forget what it means. I've been drinking and not keeping up on my Norse.) After the album, Aphazel moved to America leavin Grimm with Borknagar (he died/commited suicide in 1998).
He hooked up with Grand Belial's Key's Kaiaphas and Metal Blade Recvorsd and the rest is history. Here's a break down:
1. Trolltaar-Blast beats straight up. Some clean vocals. Keeps pace. From the Trolltaar Ep
2. Nattens Skoernhet-a great atmospheric song. a keybord part that sounds like the calling horns of Asgard. From Trolltaar Ep
3. Eeriliy Howling Winds-Despite what they booklet says, this is only Aphazel and is from what I know, the first Ancient demo. Bad vokills though. Eerilly Howling Winds demo
4. Det Glemte Riket-From the Svartalvheim sessions. Atmospheric and a crushing riff. Evil sounding end. From Svartalheim
5. Huldradans-Stupid Danes??? That's what I think it means. I don't like the way it start so I don't listen to it usually. From Svartalvheim
6. Paa Evig Vandering-Demo. There is a nicer version of this on Svartlalvheim, but I like thge way this one sounds. A very raw sound. Demo, unreleased
7. Fjellets Hemmelighet-I LOVE THIS. It gives a great feeling. All keyboards and some female vocals. Definately my favorite. From Trolltaar Ep
8. Algol-Means all gold. All keyboard sounds. Previously UnrleASED
9. Sweet Leaf-aPHAZEL AND lORD kAIAPHAS's first recording. PRoduced by Dan Swano. Black Sabbath cover (du'h). Previously unreleased.
Overall, it's value is high to completists and to lovers of atmospheric black metal like me. If you like early Dimmu Borgir, Old Man;s Child, earlyier Mortiis and Burzum, then give this your time. If you want the basic Darkthrone sound or something really fast, pass this. The atmosphere is nice but evil."
