Search - Ancient :: Cainian Chronicle

Pure Black Metal by masters of the Pagan Cycle

03/29/1997

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ancient has lost their original lead singer, Grimm, and attained Lord Kaiaphas. Aphazel's guitar and bass is not too complex, but they give a real neat and primal mood. Kaiaphas' vocals are higher and almost 'eviler' than Grimm's, with a clearness that is quite amazing. Though the guitar sounds pretty much the same through the whole album, it is easy to listen to. The second, third and fourth songs are the tale of Cain and his exile from Nod, with six different voices for the characters of Cain, Lilith, Adam, Michael, the crone and the narrater. A good Black Metal album with a few neat synth and keyboard tracks. More old school, and great cover art. END"

Amazingly dark, bipolar feeling.

Asher Christian Dark | 02/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel Ancient is a highly underrated band, and this work illustrates my point perfectly. A half concept, half song record is unlike others in many ways. My favorite part of it is the way "The Cainian Cronicle" blends the cold atmosphere of Black Metals' roots ala Darkthrone and Gorgoroth with the magesty of the Symphonic Side of the coin, more along the lines of Cradle of Filth, Old Man's Child and Limbonic Art, another overlooked band. Another win is the moodiness of the record. The riffs are mostly grim, although it is notable that some of these riffs struck me as almost happy, or even spiritual, not a lite feat by any means in Black Metal, or in Metal as a whole, in fact, Emperor and Cradle, and Satyricon are the only that come to mind, quite possibly the very reason their great.



Overall, and exellent work by an underground band who deserves recognition and has for years.

"

A tidal wave of screams and guitars

Asher Christian Dark | 09/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ancient sounds like a tidal wave of screaming and guitars. the song the curse is a beautiful example of what i am talking about. the curse has an eye of the hurricane effect and then the full fury of the song comes slamming up against your eardrums. beautiful."