☠️ Content Note
Ancient explores intentionally dark, provocative, and occult-themed imagery and lyrics consistent with the traditions of extreme black metal. These releases are presented for their musical, historical, and collector significance. Listeners who are sensitive to such themes should purchase accordingly.
☠️ Ancient Returns: Two Classic Albums, One Dark Metal Legacy
Brutal Planet Records is proud to bring two important albums from Norwegian black metal veterans Ancient back into circulation with deluxe new CD and vinyl editions of The Halls of Eternity and Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends.
All four editions are available for immediate pre-order now! These are limited-edition pressings created for collectors, longtime Ancient fans, and listeners who want these classic Metal Blade-era albums back in physical form.
🦇 The Halls of Eternity
Originally released by Metal Blade Records in 1999, The Halls of Eternity marked an important transition in Ancient's history. Following major lineup changes, Aphazel moved into the lead vocal role while continuing to handle guitars, bass, and keyboards, helping guide Ancient into a darker and more expansive new chapter.
The album combines aggressive black metal with sweeping keyboards, melodic guitar work, female vocals, acoustic passages, atmospheric interludes, and sprawling compositions. Tracks such as “Born In Flames,” “A Woeful Summoning,” “I, Madman,” and the epic title track remain highlights of this era of the band.
The new Brutal Planet Records editions also include a brand-new retrospective from Aphazel, who looks back on the lineup changes surrounding the album, the recording period in Italy, and the unusual circumstances that shaped The Halls of Eternity. He specifically identifies “A Woeful Summoning” and “The Halls Of Eternity” among the album's strongest songs.
The CD edition is part of the Brutal Planet Records Metal Icon Series, is limited to only 300 copies, has been remastered by Rob Colwell, and includes a deluxe 16-page booklet filled with lyrics, archival photography, credits, artwork, and Aphazel's new retrospective.
The deluxe 2LP vinyl edition is also limited to only 300 copies and comes on striking Spectral Smoke-Green Vinyl in a gatefold presentation. The album has been mastered specifically for vinyl and restores this hour-plus black metal journey to the large-format presentation it deserves.
🩸 Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends
Released by Metal Blade Records in 1997, Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends remains one of the most unusual and adventurous albums in Ancient's catalog. The record pushed beyond the band's earlier approach with gothic atmosphere, keyboards, cello, piano, female vocals, slower passages, melodic textures, and an increasingly theatrical presentation.
Its 14 tracks include “A Mad Blood Scenario,” “The Draining,” “Sleeping Princess Of The Arges,” “Willothewisp,” “The Emerald Tablet,” and Ancient's interpretation of the Mercyful Fate classic “Black Funeral.”
These new editions are especially significant because both Aphazel and Kaiaphas contribute brand-new 2026 retrospective liner notes.
Aphazel remembers the album as a strange, almost dreamlike period in the band's history, recalling late-night recording sessions in Virginia, cemetery photo shoots, intense creative experimentation, and the pressure of finishing the album under a strict deadline. He also reflects on the fact that the band was never fully satisfied with the original sound of the record, even though that imperfect production eventually became part of the album's identity.
Kaiaphas offers another perspective, describing Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends as a much more collaborative band effort than its predecessor. He recalls the group's fascination with vampire mythology, classic horror imagery, and the desire to push Ancient into more experimental territory. He also acknowledges the limitations of the original studio production while recognizing the album's lasting cult status among fans.
The CD edition is limited to only 300 copies, features a deluxe 16-page booklet, has been remastered by Rob Colwell, and restores the album with lyrics, archival imagery, credits, and both new retrospective pieces.
The 2LP vinyl edition is also limited to 300 copies and is pressed on dramatic Blood-Smoke Vinyl. It comes in a deluxe gatefold jacket and includes a 12" x 18" poster, custom center labels, and the complete 14-track album across two records.
⚰️ Four Limited Editions – Pre-Order Now
These Ancient reissues are being produced in extremely limited quantities, with only 300 copies of each CD and vinyl edition.
CDs are only $16.95 SALE and both deluxe 2LP vinyl editions are $44.95 SALE.
Once these pressings are gone, there is no guarantee they will be manufactured again in these configurations.
All four Ancient editions are available for immediate pre-order now, with release planned for November 2026.
☠️ Content Note
Ancient explores intentionally dark, provocative, and occult-themed imagery and lyrics consistent with the traditions of extreme black metal. These releases are presented for their musical, historical, and collector significance. Listeners who are sensitive to such themes should purchase accordingly.