Ancient rites

Initially, the group consisted of guitarists Johan and Philip, drummer Stefan, and bassist and vocalist Gunter Theis. ^[2] In 1990, the band released their first demo album, Dark Ritual. Soon after the release of this demo, Philip died in a car accident, and a little later, drummer Stefan committed suicide. Despite the tragic situation, the rest of the participants decided not to disband the group, and another drummer, Walter Van Cortenberg, came to replace Stefan.

After Johan decided to leave the music scene, the group found a replacement for him and for Philip - in the person of guitarists Bart Vandereiken and Pascal. Pascal was eventually fired from the group due to his service in the Belgian Navy, thus reducing the composition to a trio. In 1994, their first full-length album, entitled “The Diabolic Serenades”, was released. The band’s second album, “Blasfemia Eternal,” was also recorded in the same line-up, before Bart left the band in May 1996 immediately after his release.

In their place came foreign musicians - in 1996, the Dutch guitarist Eric Spruten (ex- Inquisitor ), and in mid-1997, the Finnish guitarist Jan "Örkki" Irlund (ex- Lacrimosa ). Shortly after the release of their third album, Fatherland, keyboardist Domingo Smets (ex- Agathocles ) joined the band. This lineup recorded the album “Dim Carcosa” before Smets left the band in 2002 and was replaced by Davy Waters (ex- Oblivion , Danse Macabre ). This cast is involved in the recording of the And The Hordes Stood As One live album.

During a tour in support of a live album in May 2003, the band fired guitarist Jan Irlund and returned Bart instead. In December 2004, the line-up was expanded due to the return of Domingo Smets, who took up the post of bass player, and Gunter wanted to concentrate on vocals, and Raf Jansen as the third guitarist. Most of 2005, the musicians spent on the creation of the new album "Rubicon", which was released on May 15, 2006.

Over the years, Ancient Rites have performed with bands such as Deicide , Motorhead , Judas Priest , Cradle Of Filth , Metallica , Dissection , Morbid Angel , Stormtroopers of Death , Mercyful Fate , Impaled Nazarene , Manowar , Sepultura , Malevolent Creation , Rotting Christ and Slayer In addition to the deaths of two members, during its existence the group was boycotted by the Belgian government, received anonymous terrorist threats, and faced other problems (such as label bankruptcy, criminal investigations).

• Gunther Theys - vocals, bass
• Erik Sprooten - Guitar
• Domingo Smets - guitar, bass, keyboards and backing vocals
• Walter Van Cortenberg - drums
• Davy Wouters - keys

Former members

• Jan "Örkki" Yrlund - Guitar ( And The Hordes Stood As One , Scenes of Splendour , Dim Carcosa , The First Decade 1989-1999 and Fatherland )
• Domingo Smets - Keys ( Dim Carcosa and Scenes of Splendour ")
• Stefan - drums ( The First Decade 1989-1999 and Dark Ritual )
• Philip - Guitar ( The First Decade 1989-1999 and Dark Ritual )
• Johan - Guitar ( The First Decade 1989-1999 and Dark Ritual )
• Pascal - Guitar ( Evil Prevails (Split w / UNCANNY / 12 ")
• Raf Jansen - Guitar and Backing Vocals ( Rubicon )
• Bart Vandereycken - Guitar ( Rubicon , Blasfemia Eternal , Diabolical Serenades )

Albums and EPs

• Evil Prevails (EP) - (1992)
• The Diabolic Serenades - (1994)
• Blasfemia Eternal - (1996)
• Fatherland - (1998)
• The First Decade 1989-1999 (compilation) - (1999)
• Dim Carcosa - (2001)
• And the Hordes Stood as One (live) - (2003)
• Rubicon - (2006)
• Laguz - (2015)

VHS and DVDs

• Scenes of Splendour (VHS) - (2001)
• And the Hordes Stood as One (DVD) - (2003)

Other releases

• Dark Ritual (Demo) - (1990)
• Promo 1992 (Demo) - (1992)
• Longing for the Ancient Kingdom II / Windows (Split w / Renaissance) - (1993)
• Thou Art Lord / Ancient Rites (Split w / Thou Art Lord ) - (1993)
• Uncanny / Ancient Rites (Split w / Uncanny ) - (1993)
• Scared by Darkwinds / Longing for the Ancient Kingdom II (Split w / Enthroned ) - (1994)

• Official website
• Ancient Rites at MySpace
• [one]
• [2]