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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…
The Tragedy Of Forsaken Angels
Ancient Ceremony Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A Drama full of dismal Grief
once there was Peace in Paradise
in heavenly Solitude they might dwell
but bitter Tears dropped out ethereal Eyes
Chains of weak Obeydiance made them turn to Hell
Proud Satan, Thy Revolt unveiled
sweet Nectar of Aphrodite's Womb
Rebelling Angels thus darkly seduced
Initiation of new Eden
and Astarte rules supreme
in purest Phoenician Passion
Ramiel descends
Icon of empyreal Temptation
Daughters of Men, drunken of Eros
offer fruitful menstrual Wine
Bridal Lust, Intercourse, decadent Desires
Even Jehova's Plague here can't opress
Secrets of orgiastic Shrine
A sanguinaire Sacrifice under the Seal of Virginity
Fountain for Sodom's mighty Gods
...but where there is Darkness there has to be Light
the Cherubim remember, the Seraphim fright
"How art Thou fallen from Heaven,
Lucifer, Son of the Morning?"
the Army of white Angels laughs
"This darkly singing Nightingale
sounds sweeter than Thy Prayers to me!"
The lyrics to Ancient Ceremony's song, "The Tragedy Of Forsaken Angels" depict a dramatic story of despair and grief. The song highlights the fall of two sets of angels from Paradise to Hell due to disobedience and rebellion. At the start of the song, there was peace in paradise as the angels lived in solitude; however, they were eventually seduced by Satan, leading to their downfall. The lyrics also talk about how even Jehovah's plague cannot oppress the angels' decadent desires after the fall. The song then takes on a tone of defiance, as the white angels remember the fallen angels but fear the seraphim, while laughing at Lucifer's prayers.
Line by Line Meaning
The Tragedy of forsaken Angels
This song is about the sorrowful fate of angels who have been abandoned or rejected by God.
A Drama full of dismal Grief
It is a story filled with great sadness and tragedy.
once there was Peace in Paradise
In the beginning, there was a place of harmony called Paradise where everything was perfect.
in heavenly Solitude they might dwell
The angels lived in isolation from the rest of the world in Paradise.
but bitter Tears dropped out ethereal Eyes
The angels cried tears of sadness, grief and pain for what was to come.
Chains of weak Obeydiance made them turn to Hell
Their choice to follow Satan, the devil, and break the rules set by God was the reason for their exile to Hell.
Proud Satan, Thy Revolt unveiled
Satan's rebellion against God was revealed to the faithful ones.
sweet Nectar of Aphrodite's Womb
It is questioning how could something pleasurable be labeled as sinful.
How could Delight be Sin?
It is questioning how could something pleasurable be labeled as sinful.
Rebelling Angels thus darkly seduced
By going against God's will, the angels were tempted and fell into darkness and sin.
Initiation of new Eden
A new garden which is a result of their defiance.
and Astarte rules supreme
A Goddess named Astarte is now in total control and is regarded to be the supreme ruler.
in purest Phoenician Passion
The new way of life is filled with intense emotions and feelings.
Ramiel descends
A powerful angel named Ramiel falls from grace and follows evil.
Icon of empyreal Temptation
Ramiel, even in his evil form, tempts and leads others to sin and darkness.
Daughters of Men, drunken of Eros
Women who are desperate for love and intimacy succumb to the temptation of desire and lust.
offer fruitful menstrual Wine
They offer their bodies and feminine fluids to appease the gods.
Bridal Lust, Intercourse, decadent Desires
Sexual passions and desires rule the new society.
Even Jehova's Plague here can't opress
Even if the wrath of the Christian God were to befall them, they would not be afraid or oppressed.
Secrets of orgiastic Shrine
Hidden rituals involving sexual activity or immorality.
A sanguinaire Sacrifice under the Seal of Virginity
A brutal sacrifice, sealed with the blood of a pure and innocent virgin.
Fountain for Sodom's mighty Gods
The sacrifice is an offering for the powerful gods of the city of Sodom.
...but where there is Darkness there has to be Light
Where there is evil and darkness, there must always be some form of light or goodness.
the Cherubim remember, the Seraphim fright
The angels that remember their faith in God tremble in the presence of the Seraphim.
"How art Thou fallen from Heaven,
Lucifer, Son of the Morning?"
God is questioning the reason why Lucifer, once the most beautiful and favored angel, has fallen from grace.
the Army of white Angels laughs
The good and faithful angels are laughing at the expense of their fallen comrades.
"This darkly singing Nightingale
sounds sweeter than Thy Prayers to me!"
They find joy in the darkness and think it sounds better than any praise sung for God.
Contributed by Chase C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ilbr041189
love this song..... Thank you friend