Ancient
Night Visit

December 2004
Released: 2004, Nuclear Blast
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: JP

Year-end wrap-up: Each of the last few years to wrap up the year I have picked a theme for my reviews for December. This year due to the overwhelming number of CD’s that deserve exposure, recognition and commentary I am going to resort to quantity over quality. I usually try to give as much attention to each CD with extensive commentary however this month’s reviews (perhaps unfortunately) will be short and sweet and much more in the style of traditional magazine reviews where space restrictions are an important factor. (ie. Less detail) I apologize in advance to readers who expect much more detailed reviews. Please check the reviews archives as many of my colleagues have written excellent detailed commentary of many of these CD’s. I hope the large number of quick comments will help guide you making some of those important year-end CD purchase decisions. Happy Holidays and see you in January. JP



Ancient is one of those long-standing black metal bands that seems to lack respect and some people wonder how they can keep going all these years. Night Visit is the bands sixth full-length CD (along with 3 MCD’s) . The quality is acceptable as Metal Blade has given these guys the stability to make it over the years, so we are treated to another plain but satisfactory presentation of art, lyrics, good production and so on. Ancient has always struck me as non-descript in the sense that they do what they want some albums are more death metal, some are more black, some are more gothic, image and style changes making it hard to pin down. Night Visit has a darker, slower, horror theme with songs about werewolves and vampires and perhaps nightmares. Some additional female vocals, violins and so on add a touch of flair and Grom keeps driving along at a good pace. Overtime this might become one of the more respected works in the bands lengthy catalogue if anyone pays attention.