The early releases of Ancient, alongside those of Abigor and Behemoth, are the most important black metal releases that actually did not introduce any new elements to the genre… rather, they work as overviews of the genre as it was, up to mid-nineties. Yes, the dual essence is in this album… what black metal is about. Beauty contrasted by horrors and majesty contrasted by death and decay. Menacing distorted guitars with primitive, relentless un-technical drumming alternate against the atmospheres of nocturnal woods conjured by keyboard and acoustic guitar interludes. All of this is connected by an unfailing sense of epic wholeness… the keyboards are far from happy in the eerie wailing of the sounds of a flute lost in abyss, and the guitars, most notably in "Huldradans", break into a sonant and melodic guitar solo that, rather than soften, emphasize the pain in the malicious demonic throat intoning the vocals. Grimm’s vocals are not the most extreme in the world, but they are certainly one of the most effective. His intonations hold constant power behind the shifting music and wrap everything together into a stream of thought and inspiration… the stability and conviction in the unchanging pace of his voice is inhuman, timeless, ancient. Although Ancient’s music used to be disciplined, it was not dogmatic. In "The Call of the Absu Deep", the main riff bounces over a rockish catchy bass line in a mischievous, un-serious manner… and with their later albums a lack of profundity and conviction has proved to be Ancient’s failing. Here it works, because everything in this album is pure, honest and true. There is nothing retro here, nothing ripped off and nothing that sounds too nice. This is music with a serious and deep artistic quality.

© 1999 black hate