Customer Reviews

Night Visit

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am wondering why I am the first person to write a review for this album as i cannot reccomend it enough to fans of the black metal genre. This band has an incredibly high level of musical ability. Ancient is definetly one of the most underrated bands that nobody has ever heard of. THe band is extremely tight sounding while playing at inhumane sppeds. The music, while much of the time playing well over 200 beats a minute, sounds haunting, chilling, and almost ethreal. No matter what black metal you like, whether it be Darkthrone, Thorns, WIndir, or mainstream acts such as C.O.F. and Dimmu, there is somethin for everyone in this album. Absolutely a must have in every black metal fans collection.

Back in the early to mid nineties, when tape trading was at an all-time high (ah, the nostalgia), I recall my brother (the instigator of my metal fetish and to whom this site is dedicated) had managed to collect literally hundreds of underground metal releases. I would randomly pick out tapes in search of new listening experiences, clutching to the hope of finding great bands amidst a sea of mediocrity.

He handed me a tape one day that contained Ancient's debut full length "Svartalvheim". At first it seemed just like every other standard black metal release, but I found myself going back to it occasionally, finding that it's bleak atmosphere, and raw production only added to the quality of what was a fine collection of memorable underground evilness.

So it came as a bit of a shock to me, after many years of neglecting the band, to find that 2001's "Proxima Centauri" was such a completely different piece of work. I'm not completely sure whether it was a gradual process or a sudden change in direction, but Ancient have become a gothic, symphonic metal band, that still remains within the realm of black metal, due to the occasional repetitive riff structure, and the raspy vocal style of Aphazel. Just as Agathodaimon's latest release has mixed a number of differing styles of metal, Ancient have made a conscious decision not to be held back by the single mindedness of "true" black metal.

"Night Visit", the bands 6th full-length album, continues with this modern sound, and makes no attempt to bring anything new to the table. It's all been done before! That's not to say that the album isn't enjoyable to listen to, it's just that it will most likely (unlike the debut album) fail to demand repeated spins. Tracks such as "Envision the Beast" and the title track "Night Visit" are highlights and show what Ancient is capable of. Unfortunately, there is just a bit too much cliche material for me to recommend the album to anyone but the biggest fans (and I really do find the song "Horroble" to have a very appropriate name), especially when one considers the amount of releases on the market in this genre.

Ancient really knows how to speed things up! too bad after this release, they leave Metal Blade and the drummer leaves. this band is cool. they have touches of classical on the first track and then it gets serious, kind of like Manowar does on certain tracks of theirs. song no.2 has a doomy-sounding riff ala Slayer on their "Seasons in the Abyss" song and then they speed things up. although Ancient left Metal Blade, I am sure they will have a bright future on their new label.

Hails

I only see one other review for this album so far, wow. I am also surprised by that fact.

Ancient is an excellent black metal band, their music is dark, heavy, and melodic. I just happened to see this at a local record store, decided to pick it up, and it was one of the better decisions of my life. This is some great, sinister black metal indeed. If you have'nt heard ancient yet, and your into black metal, then what are you waiting for? Get this album!