Ancient Rites
Data dodania 2004-12-30Dodał WouterBelgian black metal formation Ancient Rites undergone some notable line-up alterations:
Ancient Rites have decided to welcome back some veterans into the fold. Both former keyboard player Domingo Smets (Gracefallen) and Raf Jansen (Ahráyeph - formerly known as Crucifire) will be taking up space on stage with Gunther, Davy, Walter, Erik and Bart. Raf will reclaim his position as third guitar player. His return might not come as a surprise to long time Ancient Rites fans who witnessed him taking over bass duties at the encore stage of the A.R. gigs at Vlamrock and Blikfest, but the shocker is that Domingo will take over bass duties from Gunther.
Frontman Gunther Theys explains:
"For quite some time I felt like handing over the bass guitar in Ancient Rites. During encores I often instinctively put the instrument aside and felt an adrenaline rush when doing so. A closer interaction with the crowd was achieved this way as well. At one gig during the encores, I suddenly pushed the bass guitar into one of our roadies’ (our former guitarist Raf) hands. On the spot he did a good job. The last gig he was prepared for this and had rehearsed the tracks. But as Raf was recruited again as a guitarist everyone was convinced it was just a phase. After all for Raf, being a splendid guitarist, it would have been a pity to recruit him for a different instrument. Recently I surprised the band members with my decision and even presented a replacement to take over the bass duties. None else than our former keyboard player Domingo! I remembered him as a guitarist, string instruments always were his first love. Due to circumstances both members were no longer part of the band but still we all shared the best memories on a personal level. Both always wanted the best for the band, know how to handle their instruments and instead of recruiting complete strangers we felt they were the best choice. So today, A.R. is a strange combination of old and new line ups, gathered as one family, everyone putting his own style and character into the band. Seven members, three guitarists. Quite unorthodox but A.R. never was about the obvious. We are convinced this renewed collaboration with A.R.veterans will be a step forward. On both musical and personal level. It is not a farewell to my instrument, but in A.R it is. I enjoyed every minute but the time felt right to concentrate on vocal duties. Soon our audience will witness a complete new stage setting, prepare for the Madhouse (front and backstage)...".
This newly expanded line-up will be debuting at the 'Wackeningen' Festival in Wageningen, Holland, on February 5th of next year, so be there if you can, to witness the birth of yet a new phase in Ancient Rites history!
recording news:
We know most of you are eager to find out about the next Ancient Rites album. We can assure you the band has not been sitting still, and some songs have already been written. Of course, with the new band members, there will be a lot more possibilities and influences, so the future lies wide open.
Right now, however, the focus of the band is on integrating Domingo and Raf in time for the upcoming gigs. The band will kick in full songwriting gear after February. This will only be interrupted by a stint of three gigs in Spain – Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona - and possibly some more in Portugal, all taking place in April 2005. They will enter the recording studio as soon as they have finished writing and rehearsing these new songs. We can’t, at this time, predict when exactly that will be, nor when the new album will be ready, although it’s safe to say they are aiming for the second half of 2005…
site: www.ancientrites.be
