See them storm forth like the dancing flames of immortal fire!

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Back in 1989, Chris Anderle and Franz Josef Krebs began to gather musicians who were able to express their morbid moods and unholy emotions through litanies of dark, extreme Metal music. Ancient Ceremony became a reality when several members (partly sessionists) joined the band to complete the line-up under the Winter Moon of 1991. Here began the formation of the band's musical identity with powerful guitars, atmospheric keyboards, extreme vocals and Satanic lyrics. In 1993 the first successful step into the international underground was done with the "WHERE SERPENTS REIGN" demo. The first live appearance took place in June 1992 and performances with bands such as In Flames, Absu and Impaled Nazarene were following.

February 1994 saw the own-release of the "CEMETARY VISIONS" cult-MCD, a dark infernal Metal aria which was re-issued one year later through Alister Records and achieved global distribution.

Inspired and influenced by many different genres of Metal music, classical composers, horror movie soundtracks, photographies presenting dark erotica or sinful sexuality and also literature of a Satanic, Gothic or occult nature, Ancient Ceremony already here could easily proof that their individually created “Devilish Trinity“ - consisting of music, lyrics and artwork - is to be seen as a very important aspect in the band's concept from the first day on.

In December 1996 Ancient Ceremony signed to London based cult-label Cacophonous Records and released the worldwide successful albums "UNDER MOONLIGHT WE KISS" (1997) and "FALLEN ANGEL’S SYMPHONY" (1999) under their banner. With these two dark-symphonic albums the band could win many new fans all over the planet, not the least as gigs with a.o. Dimmu Borgir, Moonspell, Umbra et Imago and Therion were played.

Faithful to their motto "There is no real Art without the Influence of the Devil" and after several changes in the line up Germany's longest existing formation in Black/Death Metal again gave a shit on current trends and followed their paths consequently without limits to themselves and their diabolical spirits.

Through "SYNAGOGA DIABOLICA" (Alister Records, 2000) Ancient Ceremony definitely went more "back to their roots", located in the mentioned mixture of extreme Metal with dark horror-elements, so that not only Metallica's cultsong "Creeping Death" but also an own classic ("Choir of immortal Queens") got a new interpretation on this epic. Lyrically the album deals with different facets of Satanism, such as mythological, poetical, historical, modern or philosophical ones. Vocalist Chris has been in contact with several international Satanic organisations and lodges for many years now which causes a favourable effect on his lyrics.

Anno Satanas XXXV the band played – after several international open airs and festivals as well as many club gigs – their first headliner tour which led them through 6 European countries. The most important step forward for Ancient Ceremony was the deal with the Trisol Music Group, one of the world’s leading independent labels, which was signed in summer 2001.

The band nowadays has 4 permanent members: Chris (Satanic Screams), Jones (Bass), Patrick (Guitar), Christoph (Keyboard) and is completed for works in the studio or on stage by different session members.

Released through Trisol/Armageddon Shadow on 25.01.2002 the actual album “THE THIRD TESTAMENT“ achieved many enthusiastic reactions, fantastic reviews and incredible sales figures from all over the world so that Ancient Ceremony are definitely ready to attack the black throne of their genre!

In the meanwhile a new drummer (Manuel) and also another guitarist (Bales) were established so that this now hopefully constant line up started kicking ass all over Europe at festivals, open air events and club shows.

The blasphemy scandal in summer 2003 brought the band into media worldwide. Being confirmed for one of Germany’s biggest Metal festivals, church and city government forced the promoters to take Ancient Ceremony from the billing as the band would spread blasphemy and Satanism (which is essentially true). In their fight against this censorship and obvious religious stupidity they achieved massive support from fans, magazines and other bands but authorities still want to see them banned. A song about the incident was composed, entitled “P.uritan’s B.lasphemy C.all” (PBC is a radical x-tian party that also has taken some influence on the cancellation) and it will be released either on a special MCD or as bonus track on the upcoming album “Holycaust – Angelus Mortis”. Recordings for the next strike will start in August and the band hopes for a release in early 2004.

To be continued eternally…

Amidst Crimson Stars
Ancient Ceremony Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Silently the Moon fulfills Her Move
amidst lovely crimson Stars
He (She) who has Wilt will reach the Gate
through the Moon, through me, through the proud Angel

Now Silence ends, lunar Beauty ascends
in charming morbid Glance

The Kiss of Isis, as sweet as Honey
leads me into a World beyond
In bloody Triumph I found my Wilt
Here I rule as my only God

Glory to Thee who gleams like Jewels
from Alpha to Omega

May none fall who desires
the Sword, the Balance, the Crown!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Amidst Crimson Stars by Ancient Ceremony is a complex and enigmatic message about spiritual enlightenment, transcending one's limits, and seeking glory. The first few lines are about the cyclical nature of the moon, which symbolizes the passage of time, and the crimson stars, which signify the struggles that people go through in life. The reference to the gate and the proud angel evoke the image of the entrance to heaven, but it also implies that only those who have attained a certain level of spiritual enlightenment will be able to enter.

The second part of the song describes the beauty of the world beyond, which is seen by the persona as a place of triumph and glory. This world beyond is not necessarily a physical place, but rather a state of being that can be reached through spiritual pursuits. The reference to the kiss of Isis highlights the importance of feminine energy and how it can be integrated into one's spirituality to achieve a higher level of consciousness.

The song's chorus celebrates the one who "gleams like jewels" and possesses the sword, balance, and crown. This person is seen as the embodiment of glory and perfection, and the singer desires to be like them. The lyrics suggest that one can attain this level of greatness through persistence, overcoming one's weaknesses, and remaining steadfast in one's spiritual pursuits.

Line by Line Meaning

Silently the Moon fulfills Her Move
The Moon is moving in silence

amidst lovely crimson Stars
The Moon is moving amongst beautiful red stars

He (She) who has Wilt will reach the Gate
Those who are dying or withering will reach a gate

through the Moon, through me, through the proud Angel
They will reach the gate through the Moon, the singer, and an angel

Now Silence ends, lunar Beauty ascends
The silence is over and the beauty of the Moon is rising

in charming morbid Glance
The beauty is charming but also has a hint of death

The Kiss of Isis, as sweet as Honey
The singer has experienced a sweet kiss from Isis

leads me into a World beyond
This kiss leads them to a world beyond this one

In bloody Triumph I found my Wilt
In a victorious, bloody battle, the singer has found their inevitable death

Here I rule as my only God
The singer is in control and has become like a god

Glory to Thee who gleams like Jewels
Praise to the one who shines like jewels