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…

Secrets Under Blackened Sky
Ancient Ceremony Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The Glance of the Red Wine,
so lovely in dim Starlight
Only the Moon is Witness of my Revenge

"Thee robbed me my most precious,
so await my sinister Lust
Lycanthropia, I hunt the Night
the Tears of Thine for me like Showers of Gold"

Thy feeble Screams create the Mood of Symphonies to my Ears
For the Blood of the Weak, who took away my Dearest,
is Water of the eternal Life floating through my Veins
Like a Shark in deep-blue Waters
I dive into Black Sky, tasting Thy Blood

"Ah, strengthen me mortal Creatures!"

Whilst I feel the Hour arriving when lunar Light will caress
the Grave of my Beloved with Resurrection

Thou feel Death's Claws
Death's pure Claws

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ancient Ceremony's Secrets Under Blackened Sky transport the listener to a haunting scene where revenge is the only solace. The singer describes their desire to avenge their robbed "most precious" and expresses their lycanthropic tendencies. The mention of the "glance of the red wine" and "tears...like showers of gold" suggests a deeply emotive and passionate need for retribution, while the repetition of "Death's Claws" creates a chilling sense of inevitability.

The line "for the blood of the weak, who took away my dearest, is water of the eternal life floating through my veins" is particularly intriguing and suggests that the singer sees their vengeance as necessary for their own immortality. The final two stanzas introduce the idea of resurrection, with the singer anticipating the arrival of the lunar light to revive their beloved, even as their target feels the claws of death closing in.

Overall, the lyrics of Secrets Under Blackened Sky are deeply emotional and visceral, painting a haunting picture of the consequences of betrayal and the powerful longing for retribution.

Line by Line Meaning

The Glance of the Red Wine,
Observing the red wine with appreciation,

so lovely in dim Starlight
enhanced by the darkness and starlight,

Only the Moon is Witness of my Revenge
The only witness to my desire for vengeance is the moon,

Thee robbed me my most precious,
You stole from me what was most valuable,

so await my sinister Lust
Anticipate my wicked desire for payback,

Lycanthropia, I hunt the Night
I pursue the night like a werewolf,

the Tears of Thine for me like Showers of Gold
Your tears are precious to me like golden showers,

Thy feeble Screams create the Mood of Symphonies to my Ears
Your weak cries produce a pleasing sound in my ears like a symphony,

For the Blood of the Weak, who took away my Dearest,
I seek revenge against those who harmed my beloved,

is Water of the eternal Life floating through my Veins
Drinking their blood grants me everlasting life,

Like a Shark in deep-blue Waters
I am a predator, hunting in deep waters,