Belgium
Ancient Rites
Ancient Rites is a Belgian black metal band formed in 1988. Initially, the lineup consisted of guitar players Johan and Phillip, drummer Stefan, and Gunther Theys on bass and vocals. In 1990 the Dark Ritual demo was released in the underground scene, getting worldwide attention just as black metal was gaining importance in the metal scene. Soon after the release of this demo Phillip died in a car crash and not long after, Stefan committed suicide. However painful this episode was to the band, they decided to continue and Stefan's position was taken by his drum roadie Walter van Cortenberg.
Lineup
Gunther Theys
Bass (1988-2004, 2014-present), Vocals
1988-present
Erik Sprooten
Guitars
1996-present
Jory Hogeveen
Guitars
2019-present
Patrick Mallo
Bass
2022-present
John Berry
Drums
2022-present
Guido (R.I.P.)
Guitars
Active dates unknown
Wattie (R.I.P. 2017)
Bass
1988-1989
Philip Bollengier (R.I.P. 1990)
Guitars
1988-1990
Stefan Bernar (R.I.P.)
Drums
1989-1990
Johan Vrancken
Guitars
1989-1990
Walter van Cortenberg (R.I.P. 2021)
Drums
1991-2021
Pascal
Guitars
1991-1993
Bart Vandereycken
Guitars
1991-1996, 2003-2007
Franky
Guitars
1991
Raf Jansen
Guitars
1996-1997, 2005-2006
Jan Yrlund
Guitars
1997-2003
Domingo Smets
Keyboards (1999-2001), Bass (2005-2007), Guitars
2007-2015
Davy Wouters
Keyboards
2001-2009, 2011-?
Thomas Cochrane
Guitars
2015-2019
Raf Corten
Keyboards
Active dates unknown
Mike Verhoeven
Guitars
1996
Chris Gamble
Unknown
1996
John Berry
Drums
2022-?
Discography
Laguz
full-length · 2015
Rvbicon
full-length · 2006
And the Hordes Stood as One
video · 2003
Scenes of Splendour
video · 2001
Dim Carcosa
full-length · 2001
Hammerheart Records Summersampler 2001
split · 2001
The First Decade 1989-1999
compilation · 1999
Fatherland
full-length · 1998
Blasfemia eternal
full-length · 1996
The Diabolic Serenades
full-length · 1994
Scared by Darkwinds / Longing for the Ancient Kingdom II
split · 1994
Promo'94
demo · 1994
Longing for the Ancient Kingdom II / Counterparts
split · 1993
Thou Art Lord / Ancient Rites
split · 1993
Uncanny / Ancient Rites
split · 1993
Promo 1992
demo · 1992
Evil Prevails...
ep · 1992
Dark Ritual
demo · 1990
Events
No upcoming events yet.