Gut Ding will Weille haben! "Glänzten" ANCIENT in der Vergandenheit eher durch Dilettantismus und Rumpelsound, so beweisen sie auf ihrem neuen Longplayer, dass offenbar doch 'ne Menge musikalisches Potenzial in ihnen steckt. "Night Visit" bietet jedenfalls gut arrangierten, kraftvollen und fett produzierten Black Metal, der für Aufsehen sorgen wird.

Translation :

Good thing needs time! If in the past Ancient "shined" more through dilettantism and "bang-about-sound", on the new Longplayer they prove that there's indeed still a lot of musical potential inside them. In any case, "Night Visit" offers well arranged, powerful and well produced black metal, who'll cause a stir.

REVIEW, ROCK HARD 07/2004 - Score: 8,5/10

Viele sind nicht mehr übrig geblieben, die die Fahne des Black metal hochalten. Immortal haben sich aufgelöst, Satyricon und Mayhem haben sich meilenweit von ihren Wurzeln entfernt, und Dimmu Borgir und Cradle Of Filth sind den meisten Black-Metallern eh viel zu kommerziell. Als eine der letzten großen Black-Metal-Bands der alter tage liefern uns jetzt ausgerechnet die Norwegen Ancient mit "Night Visit" ein formidables Stück Schwarzmetall ins Haus. Schnelle Black-Metal-Riffs, Doublebass-Gewitter, dooming-gruselige Parts, epische Keybordklänge und vor allerm jede Menge Gänsehautstimmung, haptsächlich verursacht von Aphazels grossartig röchelnder Stimme, sorgen für den so lange vermissten Düsterkick im vom Kerzenlicht spärlich erhelltem Zimmer. Die insgesamt zehn Kompositionen sind  mächtig produziert, und man zieht alle Register der schwarzen Kunst. Besonders herauszuheben ist der Wechsel zwischen stimmungsvollen Passagen, schönen Soli und der fetten, brutalen riffs in "Fuel The Flames"  ein Meisterwerk! Trotz aller Abwechslung bleibt die Platte im Höreindruck homogen und muss auch Metallern empfohlen werden, die sonst nur sporadisch mit Black Metal in Berührung kommen.

                                                                                              Bruder Cle.

Translation:

There are not many left who hold high the flag of Black Metal, Immortal have split, Satyricon and Mayhem moved away from their roots, Dimmu Borgir and Cradle Of Filth are too commercial for the most of Black-Metallers. As one of the last big Black-Metal Bands of the old days, it's the Norwegians Ancient who deliver us "Night Visit", a tremendous piece of Black Metal. Fast black metal riffs, doublebass-storms, doomy spine-chilling parts, epic keyboards and most of all lots of thrilling atmosphere, caused principally by Aphazel's greatly groaning voice, are providing the longtime missing dark kick in the candle-lightened room. The 10 compositions are mightly produced, and all the stops of the black art are pulled out.

Especially worth mentioning are the exchanges between atmospheric passages, nice solos and fat, brutal riffs in "Fuel the Flames" which is a masterpiece! The cd still leaves, in spite of all the changements, an impression of homogeneity and must be recommended also to metallers who usually get in touch only sporadically with black metal.

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BWBK.com (Braveboard)

Ancient are the mad high-priests of a sinister other world. They operate somewhere within the twilight, neither of day nor of night, but from a reverie of a dark yet learned subconscious. Unnatural yet elemental, Ancient exists as part rabid lycanthrope and part primordial sage. To listen to the dissonant shriek of their music and bear witness to their heretical lyricisings is to put all a pigeon-brained human ego clings to in grave danger.

All waxings of unknowable origin aside, this is about the latest Ancient album Night Visit, their seventh long-playing release, and perhaps the greatest Black Metal album EVER. Perhaps the greatest Metal album ever. Bullshit, you say? Night Visit is a recording that will appall the many, be dismissed by the some, and be truly comprehended by the few. This is not to say that the music is blindingly original, or that the playing necessarily surpasses all instrumental achievement ever before attained in Metal...It is rather that all this form of music has ever aspired or pretended to, all that it has successfully brought into creative form, has been epitomized within this work. Of course, this is not enough. Therefore Ancient have always reached for that intangible something that only genuine creators do, which is why their music is so valuable. The clincher is, that on this outing, they have reached it. Which is why you should own it.

Straight off is heard drummer Grom's brilliantly executed and appropriate intro to "Envision the Beast." The man sets the pace like a Black Knight from the Legions of Hell, utterly unrestrained at every perfect juncture, instantly revealing how inherently dictated this form of music is by the strength of the drumming. Former lead vocalist Kaiaphas makes a gruesome guest appearance on the following track, the disturbed and demonic "Rape the Children of Abel." Then is the Jesus Christ-penned (now without an exclamation mark!) "Horroble" whose wildly fiendish and infectious pieces elicit curiosity about his other bands, the so-attributed Horroble and Wicked Little Dolls. The album closes in epiphanic fashion with "The Truth Unveiled," an unnerving song exposing the brutal discord of existence.

At first glance, the soundscape-format bonus tracks "The Arctic Mirage"and "Out in the Haunted Woods" appear like an easy way out of Metal Blade's anti-downloading strategy, but on further listenings prove to be accurate sonic reflections of the preceding collection of diabolical musical tales. Now Hail Satan, yes Hail Satan, for "Satan's Children" have truly arrived!!!

By Graham MacSkimming

Metal Eater.com (U.S.A)

01. Envision The Beast 02. Rape The Children Of Abel 03. Horroble 04. Night Visit 05. Lycanthropy 06. Night Of The Stygian Souls 07. Fuel The Flames 08. The Truth Unveiled 09. The Arctic Mirage 10. Out In The Haunted Woods

Beware their nocturnal visit! Veteran Norwegian black metallers ANCIENT are back with a vengeance on their newest disc, "Night Visit" - an aggressive, haunting, and very melodic black metal feast. The album title hints that some truly creepy things are going on here. The images that it conjures up are haunting and chilling in the same way that the question "What's under the bed?" can be more frightening than actually seeing what IS under there. It is this type of scenario that is brought to life by ANCIENT throughout this entire album. "Envision The Beast" begins in rather typical black metal fashion (musically), but the listener does receive a brief refrain from the sonic bombast near the middle of the song with a beautiful little violin interlude. In short fashion however, it's back to the pummeling destruction. Lyrically, the song is more of a warning of what is to come than actually describing carnage (the 'What's under the bed?' theme). "No warning, no sign of what will thrust you way deep down", "Avoid the fight, the stormblast clash, for your soul will die", and "My fate seems sealed by life's own choice" build the listener up, until the final verse declares "My patience, it wears thin, My swirling wrath begins..." This is chilling storytelling at its best! "Rape The Children Of Abel" is not about what the title suggests as this too is more of a warning of what could / will happen. This is a tale of revenge ("I'm stronger than you could ever be, when darkness comes I'll be set free”) and pain ("Alone I felt the talons of my deep depression"). "Horroble" (which in not a typo by the way) is unrelenting, while the title track "Night Visit", a tale of a girl assailed by the dead, is the ultimate nightmare soundtrack as the listener is left with a feeling of helplessness. The almost tribal drumming featured on "Lycanthropy" is a welcomed surprise and is not the type of skin-bashing usually found on a black metal disc, while the 'rock guitar' solo on "Night Of The Stygian Souls" also makes the listener stop for a moment. And then there's the brutal riffing of "Fuel The Fire". No two songs on this album are similar, yet there is a cohesiveness to the whole album. It's the ability to create music that is unique that puts ANCIENT in the same league as DIMMU BORGIR and IMMORTAL. "The Truth Unveiled" finishes things off in perfect, eerie fashion. The whispered vocal track and the piano the winds down to nothingness create an amazingly haunting ending to the song, leaving the listener to wonder just what happens. It's creepy as hell and would have been the perfect ending to this chilling disc. Well, it would have been, but the album doesn't end there. This will probably be one of the only times that you are going to hear someone complain about bonus tracks being included on a CD, but I'm going to do it here. The final tracks, "The Artic Mirage" and "Out Of The Haunted Woods' are merely synth soundscapes that do nothing to contribute to the album. In fact, if the powers that be would have left these tracks off the finished product, and ended it with "The Truth Unveiled", "Night Visit" would have been given the rating of a solid 9 (maybe even 9.5). Everything about this album gels incredibly well - from the performances, the lyrics, and the music, to the art work and the production. Fans of DIMMU BORGIR and IMMORTAL will find this disc a must for their collection. However, if you enjoy creative, haunting music performed with both intensity and talent, then you too will enjoy "Night Visit" equally as much.

The Fuze (U.S.A)

Ancient - Night Visit (2004)

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Gryphon Metal (Switzerland)

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Metal Reigns.com (U.S.A)

Reviewed By:
Crusher

Italian based black metalers Ancient return with a devastating album, Night Visit. For many years Ancient have created various sounding albums while remaining in the black metal realm. This marks 10 years since the band released their first album, Svartalvheim. The music has grown as well as the musicianship and songwriting. It does sound cliche' but experience means everything.

The first sounds of carnage begin with Envision The Beast. A well orchestrated composition that keeps the barbaric elements of black metal while including some melodic passages with a female vocalist. The fury then begins to awaken with Rape The Children Of Abel. A haunting brutal fest of shredding guitar riffs, and convincingly evil vocals. Night Visit has some other various elements within a few structures including a rockish type feel and sound. Some of the songs are very thrashy sounding and bring on the moshing fury. Yet no tune goes without the furious vocalization of Aphazel. Track three is Horroble, and it stands out as something vastly different from the previous two tracks. Most of the song's differ from one another and make for an interesting listening.

The rest of the band shouldn't go unnoticed as the guitaring duo of Aphazel and Jesus Christ compliment each other. The rhythm section of Grom (drums) and Dhilorz (bass) is as good as any in black metal. The drums thunderous fury in Fuel the Flames is a good example of blasting brutal black metal. This is without a doubt the album Ancient fans have been waiting for. There could still be some minor improvements in the production but the songs themselves are top notch and look forward to hearing Ancient for a long time to come. Prepare your tortured souls for a brutal awakening with a Night Visit from Ancient.

Rating: 8.5/10

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SilentStagnation.com

Ancient - Night Visit CD (Metal Blade)
It has taken some time but Ancient offer their latest effort "Night Visit" and believe me it was really worth to wait, from the start they offer a blistering black metal record that ranges from dark melodies to high speed destruction. There are so many special things about this record, every member of this band plays his instrumental perfectly, vocalist and guitarist Aphazel destroys with every of his riffs and his voice ranges from low screams to hellish shouts. The second guitar player Jesus Christ fulfills the hellish riff attack. The drummer Grom was a blessing for the band, I would call him the best black metal drummer today, this man is a machine! Last but not least we have Dhilorz to complete the rhythm section. The opener "Envision Of The Beast" begins the destruction with traditionally blistering black metal but they soon add a lot harmonic leads and they also breakdown with harmonic female vocals. What I really like about their new album is their big variety of songs and they're influenced by a lot more than just black metal. The second song "Rape The Children Of Abel" opens with pure thrashing metal, they briefly break to continue with another black metal attack. I can't get enough of this album and that's not often the case when it comes to black metal alike records, but also at the third track "Horroble" they start off with fast hard rocking riffs and they go on with fast grooving rhythms. With the title-track "Night Visit" they return to more black metallic sounds with an apocalyptically touch and a lot harmonic elements and also here the throw in a few grooving pieces. I could tell you something special about every song, "Lycanthrophy" is a black/death mixture with a few thrashing moments and Aphazel is shouting in a rough throatier way. I would already call Ancient progressive black metal but what they do is just amazing and a class of its own, they combine evil black metal with rocking stuff and tones of melodies.
10 tracks / 49:43

5 / 6 stars
(marcel)

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Metal-Exiles.com (U.S.A)

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UtterTrash.net

Ancient – ‘Night Visit’ (Metal Blade) 

Ancient play atmospheric black metal with some obvious eighties thrash and nineties death metal influences.  Their songs feature good use of dynamics, plenty of memorable riffs, and vocals that are raw but usually understandable.  I’d say my favorite track is the opener, “Envision the Beast”, with its Celtic Frost inspired female spoken break, but there’s plenty of other good stuff.  “Horroble” is a good old school thrasher that reminds me in parts of Necrophagia, Death, Entombed, and At the Gates with more black metal sounding vocals.  “Lycanthropy” is in a similar mold, and sticks in the brain thanks to a catchy chorus.  “Night of the Stygian Souls” is a mid paced, majestic song that reminds me of Dimmu Borgir at their best, but with less bombastic keyboards and more emphasis on melodic guitar leads.  “The Truth Unveiled” closes the album proper in fine fashion, and reminds me in tone of Maiden’s “Hallowed be thy Name” and Mercyful Fate’s “Melissa”.  The two “bonus tracks” are both eerie ambient pieces that would work well as soundtrack cues for a horror film.  The other three tracks on here aren’t quite as notable, but still solid.  This one’s a keeper. 

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TartareanDesire.com

Ancient - Night Visit Metal Blade Records, 2004 7.5/10 At first glance, one might assume that Ancient is yet another Norwegian black metal act, probably lacking in originality and most definitely lacking any reservation of speed and brutality. However, Ancient's new album proves to be far more than just another black metal album. There is more melody and far more rhythmic variation to be found here, and as far as I'm concerned, it should be both appreciated and commended. The balance of the tracks is very nicely structured, giving the listener a taste of a little death metal and even some melodic metal while never straying too far from the black metal template. In fact, my main complaint with the album would be the fact that they did not stretch far enough away from the black metal formula. While I do praise the effort, I can't help but wish that there was a little more incorporation of the mellow segments found later in the album. Maybe a little more death metal influence like the beginning of the title track "Night Visit," which opens up with a headbanging all out thrashin' riff. I can say without reservation that I really do like this album. I don't think there's enough originality or songwriting excellence to warrant a rating higher than 7.5, but I'll be damned if I wasn't planning to give it an 8.5 just because I liked it so damn much. In a word, this album is rocking. The presentation is even pretty nice with substantially eerie cover art. I wish that it was a little bit longer, and I think that the album may also have lost too much intensity near the end since I felt (as mentioned earlier) that the mellow material was too closely bunched in the second half of the album, but it's nothing terribly damaging. Ancient has come up with a really nice album here, and I'm interested to hear some of their earlier releases now. My main question is whether this was a stretch from their previous material, or if they had always wavered somewhat on the more original side of black metal. Either way, I give it two thumbs up, check this one out.

*

Fan 2 Fan (Rock) - U.S.A

Ancient - Night Visit

They've been around for more than a decade now but Ancient is still flying the black metal flag like no other. Their 8th album, Night Visit is ready to further blacken your heart and soul with 10 new blasphemous tracks! A HUGE drum fill and roll down the tom's by GroM (drums, percussion, vocals) and we're off and flying with "Envision The Beast". It all starts off quite fast but there is a SOLID slow down with solo around the midway point, highlighted by a soft and sultry female vocal by Neviah Luneville. There is a point in the track that you'd SWEAR almost changes to a new song but it actually comes full circle by the end. The sad droning guitars ring out on "Rape The Children Of Abel" thanks in part to Aphazel (vocals, guitars, keys) and Jesus Christ (guitars, bass, backing vocals) and at times, Dhilorz (bass, guitars, backing vocals) will slide in on the rhythm duties as well. As downtrodden as the song might start off, its not much more than a minute before it explodes and comes crashing down to a furious ending! "Horroble" wastes no time at all and quickly keeps this locomotive running in high gear kicking things off with a screaming solo and big drum roll. This IS one of "those" tracks that will have you hitting the repeat button over and over again thanks to a HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS chorus! Cold, dark, isolated is the feeling of the day on the album's title track "Night Visit". Vocally we really get an earful of just how evil Aphazel can be! His style is not gurgled and deep like a Cannibal Corpse or Six Feet Under. It's more on the higher side, very raspy a la Cradle Of Filth or at times, even King Diamond, but, minus the falsetto screams of course. "Lycanthropy" provides a solid, driving groove with a tiny bit of an echoed accent on the vocals. You might just believe hell can freeze over after hearing "Night Of The Stygian Souls"! The song actually takes an interesting turn about 3/4 of the way through high lighted by a violin courtesy of Moonbeam of Iblis. Not nearly the longest song on the album but it says the most! "Fuel The Flames" packs quite a lyrical/storyline punch when read! Now "The Truth Unveiled", THAT rings in as the longest track at over 7 minutes. It fades in on the guitar with some underlying keys before this roller coaster takes off one last time. That's about as far as it goes with the lyrical/musically insane as the bonus tracks are more for the feel, "take you somewhere cold in your mind" kind of thing. "The Arctic Mirage" CLEARLY does just that with some dark tones, those of something that you might hear on a deep sea exploration to the Titanic. "Out In The Haunted Woods" is similar to "Arctic Mirage" only this track throws in some maddening piano, clunking chains and what sounds like a young girl singing a muffled nursery rhyme. Spooky! A solid effort by these decade old veterans of black metal! For all the latest news and info be sure to check out the official Ancient site.

Rating 7 of 10

Review by:
Anthony Pagano
In Depth E-Zine

*

Metal Rules (www.metal-rules.com - U.S.A)

Upon first listen, many may write off Ancient as a half-baked Cradle of Filth/Dimmu Borgir knock-off, but there is much more to this band on repeated listens of its latest CD, NIGHT VISIT. It has been ten years since Ancient released their first album, SVARTALVHEIM, and, my, how they have grown! In later works, the incorporation of symphonic passages, female vocals (Sinergy vocalist, Kimberly Goss, appeared on 1996’s THE CAINIAN CHRONICLE) and general all-around grimness forced the comparisons mentioned earlier and they certainly cannot be refuted. NIGHT VISIT builds on these archetypes adding an incredible atmosphere to the music and, with the help of the geniuses at Studio Fredman, create another sonically exciting chapter of Ancient black metal.


“Envision The Beast” opens with a crushing drum intro courtesy of Grom. His skinsmanship (is that a word?!?) is really a highlight of this entire CD. His solid backbeat and battering ram double bass thunder through your speakers from start to finish. The slower, symphonic passage on the opening cut adds a cool aura to the song, too. Former vocalist Lord Kaiaphas makes a guest appearance on “Rape The Children of Abel.” Kaiaphas’ snarl and Aphazel’s screams meld into an Abbath-like rasp that suits the song perfectly. Besides the dueling vocalists, a haunting guitar intro echoes through the first thirty seconds of the track. The title track is more harmonic black metal, but still keeps its sinister edginess thanks to the lyrics. “The Truth Unveiled” contains a lengthy symphonic passage that closes out the CD in fine form. There are two instrumental bonus tracks tacked on to the end of the CD that follow this same format of atmospheric mood setting.


Call Ancient what you will, but NIGHT VISIT is a killer CD wrought with typical black metal bleakness, a touch of Goth and some blazing instrumentation. Ten years in and Ancient show no sign of slowing down, but rather evolving with the times and modernizing a genre that, more often than not, falls victim to its own constraints.


**The CD also contains a video of the title track.


KILLER KUTS: “Envision The Beast,” “Rape The Children of Abel,” “Night Visit”

October 2004 | Released: 2004, Metal Blade | Rating: 3.8/5 | Reviewer: Lord of the Wasteland

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Darksoul7.com (U.S.A)

The Norwegian atmospheric black metal heavyweights Ancient return to the
ring with "Night Visit", the follow up to their 2002 release "Proxima Centauri".
For black metal fans, Ancient needs no introduction, but for anyone
interested in this band both newcomer or longtime fan..know this..."Night
Visit" is perhaps Ancient's best work to date.

The production quality on this release is near perfect. Every element, every
angle is covered when it came to mixing and mastering. Recorded at Mirage
Studios (Italy), Mixed at Studio Fredman by Fredrik Nordstrom (Sweden), and
Mastered at Alpha Omega Studios, everyone involved in the process has
reason to be proud of their work.
For you black metal fans who cherish the lo-fi 4 track recordings of old, I
hate to disappoint you, but this album is top notch and clear as a bell.

"Night Visit" IS a powerful and brooding black metal release as well
as a very promising sign of things to come in the future for Ancient.

While the album is obviously moody and dark, the layers of effect added to
each song are subtle yet distinct, adding to the overall feel of the songs and
detracting nothing.
These are the best song structures this once one man project has ever had.
Aphazel and Jesus Christ (he dropped the exclamation point) have created
strong and melodic passages, catchy and chunky tight riffs as well as fluid
fills on the guitar. From all stand points this album makes you think
composed as to written. The drum work of Grom certainly affirms this, while
being the precision timing and backbone his playing also at times carries the
songs from one nightmarish atmospheric armageddon to another with the
help of bassist Dhilorz who thunderously makes his presence known.

Aphazel's talent only grows, both musically and vocally as is clearly evident
on "Night Visit". His roars and screams pierce and pummel your senses.
What I really like about this album is the adaptability and spontaneousness.
For example; there are metal albums that have such a consistent feel all the
way through that you often feel like you are listening to the same song from
track to track. With "Night Visit" each song offers a different slice of variety,
while no track on this disc is weak by any means, the songs all have a bit of
different influence tied into them. Yes, it's a black metal cd, no doubt, but
there are some thrashy, death, avantgarde, symphonic and gothic moments.
And it all works together in perfect unison.

On a side note...guitarist Jesus Christ for those who don't know has another
project called Horroble, which oddly enough is the title of track 3 on "Night
Visit". You can check them out by clicking here

But back to Ancient...I won't say this album is revolutionary, much of what is
being done here has been similarly done before, but hey, 100% pure
originality is hard to come by these days and what Ancient has done is
created one of the better dark black metal releases in recent years as well as
honed their craft.
I believe fans of Aborym, Samael, Draconian, Tristania, Emperor, Dissection,
Dimmu Borgir, and Sirenia should enjoy this album.



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* WallsOfFire.de (Germany) - quotes *

"...Wenn Black Metal anno 2004 so klingen soll wie die Songs auf "Night Visit", dann bin ich mit der Entwicklung dieser Musik völlig einverstanden."

EN -> "...If Metal in 2004 should look and sound like the songs of 'Night Visit', I, with the development of this music, totally agree."

"...dass ich hier schon einmal vorsichtig den Titel `Black-Metal-CD des Jahres´ in die Runde werfen möchte. Fans von Dimmu Borgir sollten hier ebenso zuschlagen wie all diejenigen, die offen gegenüber moderneren Elementen im Black Metal sind und bereit sind, sich auf den ureigenen Sound von Ancient einzulassen."

EN ->...I would like to throw here, already once carefully, the title 'Black-Metal-CD of the year´ into the album. Here, fans of Dimmu Borgir should, as well as all those who oppose modern elements in Black Metal, give this album a shot and get prepared to be involved in the very unique sound of Ancient." 

" Ancient in den letzten Jahren einen guten Release nach dem anderen herausgebracht haben und qualitativ auf einem genau so hohen Level musizieren wie ihre nordischen Kollegen. Das aktuelle Album "Night Visit" untermauert diese These noch einmal ganz deutlich und ist meiner Meinung nach sogar die beste Veröffentlichung, welche die Band überhaupt auf den Markt gebracht hat."

EN -> " Ancient have brought out a good release after the other during the last years and play qualitatively on a so high Level. The topical album "Night Visit" underpins this thesis once more, quite clearly and is in my opinion the best album the band has released."

Album score : 4.5/5

full review here

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Morrigan's Pit (Holland)

Night Visit 2004 Metal Blade http://www.ancientband.com/

1.Envision The Beast 2.Rape The Children Of Abel 3.Horroble 4.Night Visit 5.Lycanthrophy 6.Night Of The Stygian Souls 7.Fuel The Flames 8.The Truth Unveiled 9.The Arctic Mirage (Bonus) 10.Out In The Haunted Woods (Bonus)

I heard a lot of good things about Ancient's new album "Night Visit" so I choose to do a review about it. The reactions I've heard so far about the new album have been very diverse, here's mine. "Night Visit" starts off with "Envision The Beast", a very fast song which loses its speed when the female vocals kick in and then picks the speed back up again. It has some very nice atmospheric parts in between. On the second track "Rape The Children Of Abel", Lord Kaiaphas (their former vocalist) makes a guest appearance. This is a heavy track combined with fast and slow parts. I like the third track "Horroble", it starts off with a cool solo followed by a lot of speed changes. A very catchy track! This album has a lot of diversity, it has very fast/heavy tracks and it has some very slow and melodic ones. I wouldn't say that this album is more aggressive than the previous ones but it shows a few new elements to Ancient. It's more atmospheric and emotional but they still retain their heaviness. My favorite tracks on this album are: "Envision The Beast", "Horroble" and "Lycanthrophy". This album contains 2 bonus tracks, they are both instrumental and atmospheric. This album contains melodic, atmospheric and emotional elements combined with fast and aggressive parts. A very good and lethal mix. I must say I do miss the rawness and the blast-beats. Ancient have produced a very mature and deep album, I look forward to seeing them on tour. submitted by Brian 17.06.2004

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Horror Wood BabbleOn (U.S.A)

IENT • Night Visit • (Metal Blade)  Randtasm rates it: / 5 ANCIENT Night Visit (Metal Blade) Now how can you NOT love a band with Jesus Christ on guitar? I mean seriously this is too cool...the last I heard JC was managing Stryper. Of course that was back in the 80's and we all know about the inner turmoil in that band camp so I'm guessing he chose to move on to bigger and better things... that being playing guitar for Norway's ANCIENT... Okay seriously, not being a real big fan of the black metal genre, this listener CAN tell you this: if all the bands were as talented and sounded closer to Ancient I could learn to dig it. NIGHT VISIT, he band's latest and eighth offering, is any "true" black metal fan's dream. Haunting, atmospheric melodies wrapped around manic riffing on such songs as "Night of the Stygian Souls" and the title track leave the listener closing their eyes and picturing themselves in a dark candlelit room, surrounded by the dark knights themselves. The mere thundering double bass and insane riffing on "Lycanthrophy" brings back fond memories of old Mercyful Fate, so how can you caomplain? Sure this album contains the what's becoming the trend of other black metal bands of throwing an eerie-sounding Halloween type melodic bridge into certain songs, but Ancient adds it with a touch unlike most. The melodies come through with feeling and not overbearing, definitley elevating Ancient above the what's becoming cookie-cutter type metal bands. NIGHT VISIT should please elder ANCIENT fans as well as winning them some newer fans of the melodic death metal thanks to the Fredrik Nordstrom touch and giving this disc a better than most sound.

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Obskure.com (France)

Ancient Night Visit .:: 2004 :: Metal Blade ::. >> Style >> gothic/ black métal Deux ans et demi après ‘Proxima Centauri’, ‘Night Visit’ marque le retour d’Ancient (qu’on ne présente plus) et de son inusable guitariste/chanteur Aphazel, à l’occasion de la sortie du sixième album de ce combo norvégien qui jouit aujourd’hui d’un statut culte dans l’underground black métal grâce à des albums réellement marquants comme ‘Svarthalheim’, ‘Trolltaar’ ou ‘The Cainian Chronicles’. Enregistré en Italie (où réside actuellement Aphazel) et mixé au célèbre Fredman Studio par Fredrik Nordstrom, ‘Night Visit’ ne dévie pas vraiment du style et de la ligne de conduite qu’adopte Ancient depuis ses débuts, puisqu’il propose un assortiment de morceaux très variés aux ambiances différentes, voire contrastées, qui mélangent black old school rapide et torturé avec des influences gothiques (violons, voix féminine,…) à la Cradle Of Filth et des passages épiques et symphoniques (‘Envision the Beast’, ‘Night Visit’, ‘Night of the Stygian Souls’). Ceci sans oublier une bonne dose de heavy métal, aussi bien présente dans les rythmiques redoutablement efficaces que dans les guitares et soli mélodiques impeccables (‘Fuel the Flames’), alors que d’autres morceaux comme ‘Horroble’ et ‘Lycanthropy’ (références appuyées au cinéma d’épouvante) se rapprochent du horror métal cher à Notre Dame. Pas de véritable surprise donc, à part le fait que la musique d’Ancient est un peu plus accessible qu’auparavant (en témoigne l’érotisme soft de la pochette), plus théâtrale et grandiloquente aussi, et que ‘Night Visit’ voit plus grand que les disques précédents : d’une part, en termes de production bien sûr (Nodstrom leur a fait un son dantesque), et d’autre part, de composition et de cohésion du groupe, aujourd’hui plus soudé. Bref, un très bon album qui ne décevra pas les fans d’Ancient et qui pourrait même lui en apporter de nouveaux, d’autant qu’il contient deux titres en bonus et la vidéo qui a été tournée pour le morceau ‘Night Visit’. Que demande le peuple ?

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Violent Solutions (France)

ANCIENT – Night Visit (Metal Blade/M10) - 03/07/2004 @ 02h06

Si l’on a l’habitude d’associer le gros rock américain ou les Beach Boys aux trajets en voiture décapotable (ou en 106) dans la chaleur de l’été, pourquoi le black-metal ne pourrait-il pas remplir la même fonction ? Un album aussi dynamique que Night Visit peut très bien s’écouter sur le chemin de la plage, à condition de s’y être un peu frotté au préalable. Les compositions sont puissantes, agressives, mais aussi mélodiques et enlevées, même celles dépourvues de synthés ou de chant féminin. Il ne s’agit pas là de black-metal primaire, qui ne rendrait rien au travers des haut-parleurs de voiture (à moins que la vôtre soit équipée façon Jacky). Les tempos et les rythmes varient sans arrêt, la dextérité des musiciens est avérée, la production est d’une qualité inespérée et permet à chaque instrument, y compris la basse, de se faire entendre (« Horroble », « Lycanthropy »). Certains morceaux possèdent une ambiance très sombre, voire apocalyptique, comme le très progressif « Night Of The Stygian Souls », dont le solo tordu est mémorable. On en prend réellement plein les oreilles, la pression ne baisse guère d’une chanson à l’autre, si ce n’est sur la toute fin. Grom et ses amis sont très fiers de cet album, comme vous pourrez le lire dans une interview à paraître. On les comprend !

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Babylon Mag (Italy)

Figo. Questo è il primo aggettivo che mi viene in mente per quest'album, uno dei migliori che ho recensito in questo 2004 mediamente povero di qualità in ambito estremo (finora). "Night Visit" è certamente il miglior album che la band italo-american-norvegese abbia mai concepito, per compattezza, idee, riff, produzione, inventiva, di tutto, e anche di più. Dopo alcuni capitoli certamente meno azzeccati, gli Ancient giungono ad una maturità compositiva che li vede arrivare forse al top della loro carriera (per ora), confermandosi come uno dei gruppi più promettenti della scena black sinfonica europea. Aphazel sforna una voce da paura, mentre a sorreggere il lavoro di tastiere, chitarre e basso ci pensa Grom, con una prestazione dietro le pelli assolutamente sopra le righe, mai messa in discussione fin dall'incipit del disco, con la potente opener "Envision The Beast", una song prepotente, elaborata, ma mai noiosa nè ripetitiva. Il disco non sembra avere grossi difetti, se non quello di deficitare della song culmine, di quelle due o tre canzoni che mandano letteralmente alle stelle le quotazioni di un album. "Night Visit" si presenta quindi non come un highlight, ma come un album ottimo, da godere in tutto e per tutto, sia da chi ama il black sinfonico sia da chi ama (o comunque apprezza) la musica estrema in generale. L'approccio thrasheggiante contribuisce inoltre in modo incisivo nel farmi apprezzare ancora di più questo album, ma ormai sapete che sono fatto così :-) Qui non c'è solo violenza e ribellione, ma anche un'ottima dose di tecnica strumentale e raziocinio. Per creare certe gemme non bisogna essere necessariamente dei sanguinari... Alla faccia di chi vede il mondo pieno e traboccante di metallari satanisti ed assassini. Voto: 8  (Marco Colombo)

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* Metal Zone (Denmark) *

Ancient - Night Visit
Udkommer:01.06-2004 Anmeldt:20.06-2004 //Michelsen
Genre: Black Metal Label / Distribution: Metal Blade Records/Target Distribution Der er liden tvivl om at Ancient står blandt de bedste når det kommer til norsk black metal (selv om at bandet nu også har medlemmer fra USA og Italien). Efter en meget succesfuld start på karrieren er bandet gået fra styrke til styrke, dog uden at ændre helt fundamentalt på deres djævelske stil af black metal, men med deres seneste udgivelser har Ancient langsomt udviklet en mere ren og mere konventionel lyd, som de fortsætter med at perfektere på den seneste, ”Night Visit”. Jeg var ikke blandt dem der var elle vilde da Ancient så småt begyndte at udvikle deres lyd, men der går ikke mere end 20 sekunder fra ”Night Visit” ryger i maskinen, til det er helt klart at jeg tog fejl. Ancient har finpudset deres nye lyd, og giver den fuld udblæsning på det nye album. Selve stilen har faktisk ikke ændret sig så meget, men er snarere blevet shinet op og har fået tilført ny energi til at give et endnu mere kraftfuldt udtryk. Guitarerne snerrer mere djævelsk end nogensinde, bassen giver en god bund, og der er fænomenalt spil fra bandets trommeslager, Grom. Ancients amerikanske guitarist og keyboardspiller, Jesus Christ, gør også en helt vital indsats på ”Night Visit”. De velbrugte synth og keyboard stykker rundt omkring på pladen bidrager klart til den fede stemning igennem albummet, og giver det bare det lille stykke ekstra sjæl som gør en udgivelse langt mere fuldendt. Netop det meget fuldendte udtryk gør det til en glæde at lytte til ”Night Visit”, og gør helt klart at albummet kan høres mere end et par gange, selv om at sangene til tider kan virke lidt monotone. Ancient er blandt de få bands der kan blande den fandenivoldske black metal lyd med langsommere melodiske stykker, men på ”Night Visit” er det bedre og har større kraft end på de tidligere albums. Ancient er klart stadigvæk godt kørende, og den eneste grund til at ”Night Visit” ikke ender på de fulde 6 stjerner, er den mindre mangel på variation albummet igennem, hvilket ikke ændrer på at det er den bedste black metal skive jeg har haft fingre i i år.

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* Metal-Temple.com *

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The-Fuze.com (U.S.A)

Ancient - Night Visit (2004)

* Silent Scream (Italy) *

Artist Ancient  Title Night Visit  Record Comp. Metal Blade / Audioglobe  Year 2004  Lenght 52:13  Genre Black / Symphonic  Notes   Vote 7
Un graditissimo ritorno quello degli Ancient, gruppo dalla mente norvegese (il leader Aphazel) ma dal corpo internazionale (gli altri strumentisti), che nonostante la perdita di Deadly Kristin (anche se la voce femminile compare ancora sporadicamente) non sembra aver perso nulla in termini di espressività e di forza compositiva. Anzi, questo "Night Visit" si propone sin da subito come una delle migliori pubblicazioni della band, grazie soprattutto ad una grande varietà espressiva e ad un affiatamento strumentale invidiabile (ascoltate la batteria di Grom…) che si traducono nel disco più corale mai prodotto dagli Ancient. Le radici musicali del gruppo rimangono saldamente piantate nel black metal primordiale di stampo scandinavo, come rivelano sia i riffs minimali e gelidi di molti brani come “Envision the Beast” e “Fuel the Flames” che la voce gracchiante di Aphazel, ma la band non tralascia nè le armonie e le impalcature tastieristiche del black sinfonico (“Night Visit”, “Night of the Stygian Souls”) nè l'approccio chitarristico più aggressivo e ruspante del thrash metal che fu (“Horroble”, “Lycanthrophy”), ottimamente reso in questo "Night Visit" da una produzione mai così potente e pulita. Le varie componenti del sound della band si fondono ottimamente in un unicum inscindibile di grande espressività (come dimostra la grande opener “Envision the Beast”), accostabile per certi versi all'evoluzione recentemente impressa al genere da grossi calibri come Dimmu Borgir o Cradle of Filth ma sempre e comunque molto vicini alla tradizione del genere per la mancanza sia dell'immane magniloquenza dei primi (che anzi le parti sinfoniche risultano più asciutte che non in passato) che dell'approccio più NWOBHM dei secondi. Non la solita symphonic black metal band, insomma. Fulvio Adile

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* POWERMETAL.de (Germany) *

Ancient - Night Visit

Release: 01.06.2004 Label: Metal Blade Records Stil: Black Metal

Envision the Beast Rape The Children Of Abel Horroble Night Visit Lychantrophy Night Of The Stygian Souls Fuel The Flames The Truth Unveiled The Arctic Mirage (Bonus) Out In The Haunted Woods (Bonus)

ANCIENT trümmern ja schon seit geraumer Zeit durch den Underground und können sich schon als alte Hasen in einem Genre bezeichnen, das Licht hasst wie der Igel die Autobahn. Bislang blieb den Mannen um Aphazel der flächendeckende Durchbruch verwehrt, obwohl die satanische Mucke objektiv betrachtet den Großen der Szene qualitativ in nichts nachsteht.

"Night Visit" schimpft sich der neue Wutausbruch des Vierers, der weit facettenreicher als die letzten Outputs daherkommt. Das Tempo ist sehr variabel, die Songs sind weitaus breakdurchsetzter, was die schwarzmetallische Chose um einiges interessanter gestaltet. Man merkt, dass ANCIENT darauf bedacht sind, nicht mehr zu kleckern, sondern zu klotzen.

Die rasante, eröffnende Abrissbirne 'Envision The Beast' schraubt einem nach einem killenden Schlagzeugbreak gleich fies die Glotzpickel aus der Gurke. Ohne Umschweife immer feste drauf. Die Mischung aus SATYRICON und DIMMU BORGIR zieht, auch wenn man die symphonischen Elemente der norwegischen Black-Metal-Helden hier vergebens sucht. Richtig abwechslungsreich geht es zur Sache, was nicht unbedingt immer ein Merkmal in der musikalischen Geschichte der Band war. 'Rape The Children Of Abel' beginnt hypnotisch und steigert sich in einen Midtempobrecher. Die doppelte Bassdrum negiert die Bodenhaftung jederzeit und treibt den Song durch ein ungewohnt gradliniges Soundgeflecht.

Eine richtige Stampfsau stellt 'Horroble' dar, das wirklich gemein durchs Unterholz wuselt und dreckig Waden beißt. Starke Nummer mit cleanen, psychotischen backings. Der Titeltrack ist episch angehaucht und vereint schwarze Theatralik der Marke CRADLE OF FILTH mit düsterer Dynamik der Sorte SATYRICON. Heraus kommt ein apokalyptischer Bastard, der live wunderbar zum Austicken animieren dürfte. Fett!

'Lychantrophy' latscht wieder mordsmäßig die Pedale durch, wobei sich die Breaks in schöner Regelmäßigkeit die Klinke in die Hand geben. Das folgende 'Night Of The Stygian Souls' setzt auf Atmosphäre und beschwört deren eine sehr dichte und bösartige herauf. Auch hier bleibt die Sache jedoch jederzeit melodisch und lässt die killende Hookline nie aus den Fängen. 'Fuel The Flames' hört man deutlich die Vorliebe der Mitglieder für klassische Metalbands an. Straight durchgepumpte Riffs und schneidige Drums dominieren das Szenario bis zum Mittelteil, der sich in einem dezenten Blastgewitter verliert.

'The Truth Unvailed' stellt noch einmal die hypnotische, musikalischen Dichte der Blackies heraus und wabert mit fetten Keyboardflächen und breiten Gitarren über den Friedhof. Sauberer Abschluss, und da auch die atmosphärischen Bonustracks 'The Arctic Mirage' und 'Out In The Haunted Woods' qualitativ nicht abfallen und die Produktion sehr scharf und organisch ausgefallen ist, kann man "Night Visit" jedem Dunkelheimer empfehlen.

Wer bisher Bedenken hatte, ANCIENT eine faire Chance zu geben, sollte dieses Mal genauer zuhören. Es lohnt sich, da sich die Truppe nun nicht mehr schwächer gibt als ihre übermächtigen Vorbilder.

Anspieltipps: Rape The Children Of Abel, Horroble, Night Of The Stygian Souls, Fuel The Flames, The Truth Unveiled.

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HolyMetal.it (Italy)

Con Night Visit gli Ancient ci propongono un black metal di buona qualità; certo che se state cercando qualcosa di innovativo dovete rivolgervi altrove. Trovo il lavoro ben fatto, a cominciare dalla prima traccia che entra devastante e ci fa comprendere le potenzialità della band (e soprattutto del batterista!). Molto più interessante è “Horroble”, con un assolo di chitarra veramente azzeccato; parte cantata e suonata si amalgamano nel miglior modo possibile; anche il basso risulta percettibilissimo e la visione d’insieme del brano è veramente interessante. Della successiva “Night visit” risulta molto interessante l’intro, che non fa che aumentare di tensione fino ad esplodere, rimanendo però sempre ad un livello di battiti al minuto inferiore rispetto ai brani precedenti.Come dicevo si tratta di classico black metal, niente di più niente di meno, e continua con buone soluzioni musicali fino all’ultima traccia del disco, nel quale si apprezzano in particolare le piccole sfumature inserite qua e là: una parte cantata che cambia d’intensità per quanto la tecnica usata lo permetta, lo spuntare qua e là di buoni assoli alla chitarra e di particolari linee di basso, intro molto suggestive per la maggior parte dei brani, intermezzi di archi che rendono il prodotto più sinfonico di quanto non sembri al primo ascolto. Certo, ogni volta che sento il cd percepisco nuove sfumature che prima non avevo notato, quindi potrebbero benissimo esserci altri elementi interessanti che non ho ancora individuato. Non ho ancora parlato dei testi; devo dire che leggendo i titoli dei brani si può ben intuire quali siano le tematiche affrontate. Unica nota di demerito va ai testi presenti nel libretto: forse chi li ha scritti non aveva ben presente la grammatica e la fonetica della lingua inglese… ci sono qua e la palesi svarioni… Ma diamo a Cesare quel che è di Cesare: dopo una nota negativa devo segnalare le due bellissime bonus tracks in chiusura dell’album (e meno male che ci sono, altrimenti l’album si sarebbe chiuso all'ottava canzone… davvero un po’ poco…). Sono due tracce strumentali, intitolate “The arctic mirage” e “Out in the haunted woods” che si apprezzano per la forte dose di sperimentazione e per le particolari atmosfere “oscure” che riescono a creare. Davvero un buon modo per chiudere il cd, consigliato a chi vuole ascoltare del buon semplice black metal.

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* TOMBSTONE.gr (Greece) *

ANCIENT – Night Visit / Metal Blade

It’s no secret that Ancient are one of our favorite bands when it comes to Black metal. I always enjoyed their albums and always respected the fact that they are trying to change from album to album and offer something different each time they release an album. With their new offering they have changed once more and this time the music is more classic black metal, more straight forward and in your face, plus more simple than before. The album is not so complex and there are some thrash metal elements in their sound as well. It’s a heavier album than their last few albums and while they are not breaking any new ground it is different than before. What remains the same is the quality of the songs, since the guys have managed to write some excellent black metal songs once again. Add the heavier production and what you get is a classic black metal album that will satisfy most black metallers around. Another high quality album and a job well done, from a band that has used us in such releases.

OLDER REVIEWS

Cainian Chronicle from cdnow.com

Dark, frothing beasts, hooded figures, horned demons, maggot-infested tombs, sacrificial killings, church burnings, black skies lit only by an ominous full moon...although black metal may seem a bit far-fetched to some, to worshippers of the Dark Lord, it is a way of life and a means through which to express their unholy vows and help spread the sadistic, malevolent will of the Great Horned One - or in the immortal words of Saturday Night Live's Church Lady. "Hmmmm, could it be Saaataan!?" All kidding aside, most of the bands that emerged from the underbelly of the early `90s black metal movement (mainly confined to Norway and Sweden) are no longer with us because all of their members are either dead or in jail! Definitely unafraid to practice what they preach, black metal bands have became controversial within the music industry over the past couple of years, and their scathing, extreme blend of harsh sounds and powerful lyrics is taken much more seriously than ever before. Sure, snickers can still be heard when bands like Ancient take the stage in corpse paint and black hooded cloaks, but the evil power of controversy and demented originality have put these bands in the forefront of extreme music. Ancient founder Aphazel made his journey from black metal's homeland of Norway to America in 1995, where he recruited American vocalists Lord Kaiaphas and Kimberly Soss to join in his violent, hate-filled musical vision; hence, the frighteningly twisted The Cainian Chronicle, a black metal concept album based on The Book Of Nod by Sam Chupp and Andrew Greenberg. Filled with swirling, blustery passages of instrumentation and jarring, repetitive percussion, The Cainian Chronicle is an eerie black metal masterpiece.

Jenni Glenn

Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends from Cdnow.com

Skip over the first two distracting tracks on Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends to get to the heart of Ancient's intentions - accessible black metal dotted with traditional heavy metal riffs, song structures and a lethargic pace, replete with creepy, macabre lyrics. Throw talentedguitarist Jesus Christ (who is also a cellist, bassist, pianist and keyboardist) and New Orleans-based female vocalist Erichte into the already dynamic mix of guitarist/bassist/synther Aphazel and male vocalist/drummer Kaiaphas, and you get an intriguing and sonically entertaining work that could easily crossover to non-black metal audiences. For all fans nervous that the band would deteriorate after losing original vocalist Grimm, Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends is a step up from its last release, The Canian Chronicle, although less atmospheric and dark than that album's Svartalheim and Trolltaar classics. Try "The Draining," "Um Gonho Psycodelico," "Sleeping Princess Of The Arges" and "The Emerald Tablet."

Jackie Vendetti

Ancient - The Halls of Eternity (Metal Blade Records) DDD

SOD Magazine
One of the oldest and most innovative bands on the international Black Metal scene, Ancient never ceases to amaze with its chameleon-like ability to reshape and revitalize their sound within the confines of extreme Black Metal. The Halls of Eternity reverberate with hard-driving guitar riffs, epic atmospheric passages and some of the most hellish vocal howls ever unleashed upon mortal ears. Absolutely mesmerizing tracks like "Born in Flames," "Cosmic Exile" and "I, Madman" stretch the boundaries of the Black Metal genre well past their breaking point and re-establish Ancient as one of the few truly innovative bands on the scene today. -Courtesy

Ancient - The Halls of Eternity

by: raven_owl_01 (18/F/Tennessee)

I haven't listened to this CD or have even got it; but with it being Ancient, I'm sure it is magnificent!

ANCIENT : God Loves The Dead

(Metal Blade, 28'00', 5 tracks + 2 video
tracks, black-metal, release date : 05/02/2001)

DARK WAVE (Radio / Zine) :

I am really satisfied to see the come back of the famous band Ancient. All the albums from the band are for me great releases but it is sure, the best is "The Cainian Chronicle", a concept album about Abel and Cain.   Each album of the band is really different of the others but each album is really great. With this new mini CD, Ancient presents a new line up with 2 new members (Grom and Dhilorz, drums and bass) but also a new song and I am really surprised about this new song. In fact, "God Loves The Dead"  (the unreleased song) is more influenced by the heavy-metal, more in the vein of "Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends" and less black-metal than the previous CD. Also, the CD contains 2 songs taken from "Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends", remixed songs with a new sound, more influenced by the heavy-metal, an Iron Maiden cover song and a new recording of the song "Trolltar". It isn't all, the band included 2 unreleased videos. The new full CD is scheduled for October and it is a good idea to release this mini CD, maybe Metal Blade doesn't want that we forget the band but it is sure, we don't   forget Ancient.

(8/10)