Gunther Theys	– vocals/bass
Erik Sprooten	– guitars
Bart Vandereycken	– guitars
Davy Wouters	– keyboards
Walter van Cortenberg	– drums

Evil Prevails	7" EP	1992
The Diabolic Serenades	CD	1994
Blasfemia Eternal	CD	1996
Fatherland	CD	1998
The First Decade '89-'99	CD	1999
Dim Carcosa	CD	2001
And The Hordes Stood as One	CD	2003

www.ancientrites.be

Ancient Rites was created early '89. All members used to play in other bands before. The line-up consisted of Johan and Philip (guitars), Stefan (drums) and Gunther (bass/vocals). One year later the “Dark Ritual” demo was released and spread throughout the entire under­ground worldwide. Soon after the recordings Philip died in a car accident, problems forced the band to replace Stefan by drum roadie Walter (Stefan commited suicide a few years later) and Johan decided to leave the metal scene.

Pascal and Bart (guitars) joined and the “Evil Prevails” EP ('92) was recorded and released through their own label Fallen Angel Records and later on through several other record-companies such as Wild Rags (USA) and colom­bian Warmaster. Pascal was fired because of a lack of dedication. As a three piece Ancient Rites released several split-EP's (Belgian After Dark Records and greek Molon Lave Records), a split-LP and appeared on several compilation albums.

1994 the debut fullength album "The Diabolic Serenades" was released through After Dark (CD) and Midian Creations (LP). Licensing deals were signed to guarantee a worldwide distribution (Osmose, Morbid Noizz). After Dark turned out to be a total rip-off and eventually ceased to exist leaving no penny for the band that had invested it's own money in the recordings, artwork and photo-sessions.

In 1995 a deal was signed with dutch Mascot Records and "Blasfemia Eternal" was released January '96. The band toured Europe with acts such as Deicide, Motör­head, Cradle of Filth, Metallica, Dissection, Morbid Angel, S.O.D., Mercyful Fate, Impaled Nazarene, Manowar, Bewitched, Vader, Sepultura, Malevolant Creation, Rotting Christ to mention a few.

Throughout the years of Ancient Rites' existence the band had to deal with a lot of misfortune (boycotts, bomb threats, violence at concerts, ripped off for large amount of money by labels and promoters, members ending up in hospital or dying). However, anger can be turned into power and all the hardship can be an inspiration.

In May '96 Bart left the band which made Ancient Rites a duo (Walter & Gunther) working with session musicians. Guitarists of bands like Pentacle, Absu, Katatonia, Swordmaster, Luciferian volunteered to give Ancient Rites a helping hand. Although strongly rooted in Flanders (Belgium), Ancient Rites slowly turned into an international act. On the third album entitled "Fatherland" (recorded February/March '98) musicians from Holland, Finland, Germany and Belgium made their contributions and the current line-up is presented.

Today's Ancient Rites are Erik Sprooten (ex-Inquisitor, guitar) Jan "Örkki" Yrlund (ex-Prestige/Two Witches/ Lacrimosa, guitar), Davy Wouters (ex-Oblivion/ Darkening, keyboards), Walter van Cortenberg (drums) and Gunther Theys (bass/vocals). Recently a compilation album entitled "The First Decade 1989-1999" was released to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the band. After a negotiation and a business transaction between the labels, Ancient Rites moved from Mascot to Hammerheart Records for which a fourth fullength album has been released. "Dim Carcosa"...