Q: Where is Ancient Rites from?
A: Ancient Rites is based in Flanders, the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. There is also a Dutch member in the band.
Q: How long has Ancient Rites been together?
A: Ancient Rites was formed at the end of 1988. I have been active in bands since 1979.
Q: How many members are in Ancient Rites? Names? Instruments?
A: Currently A.R. consists of seven musicians:
- Walter Van Cortenberg: drums
- Erik Sprooten (guitars)
- Bart Vandereycken (guitars)
- Raf Jansen (guitars)
- Domingo Smets (bass)
- Davy Wouters (keyboards)
- Gunther Theys (vocals)
Q: What is the age range of the band members?
A: Between 26 and 40
Q: What (if any) is the message behind Ancient Rites’s lyrics?
A: History, poetry, literature, the dark side, travels, nature, amongst other things, will always remain a source of inspiration.
I don’t want my lyrics to be one dimensional, therefore I try to avoid a too “sloganesque” approach. My life seems to be a constant quest for knowledge, meanwhile I try to improve my writing skills.
It truly is an almost impossible task (and challenge!) to describe for instance the rise and fall of a civilization in a few lines but I will continue trying to catch the essence of what history has been providing me: thousands of years of historical events to take inspiration from.
Also masters of literature such as Lord Byron, Shelley, Baudelaire are influence. If only their spirit could guide my hand!
Never expect “I sodomize you in the name of Satan” type lyrics, they are amusing and I can enjoy a nihilistic approach from time to time, but they are not at all my approach. I do not wish to preach but somehow I want to offer something through my lyrics.
Even though they are dark they are always rooted in reality and never based on fairy tales. Reality often is stranger than fiction, larger than life. One certainly does not need dragons or demons to achieve a gloomy atmosphere. Even when referring to Satanism I prefer a realistic (philosophical) approach, and if I mention mythical names such as Lucifer it has a symbolic meaning.
I like to believe that the lyrics I write are not naive or cheap.
Also concerning lyrics we are after authenticity. When for instance a poem of the French writer Baudelaire was the main source of inspiration I find it important to include parts in the original language. When I describe a place in Flanders or Holland it contributes to the concept to give the song a Dutch title.
Latin philosophers should be quoted in Latin, German literature has to be presented partly in German tongue and so on…Another reason why I like to write in different languages is that sometimes certain expressions sound best in that particular tongue. Also this way of working offers variety in sound because every language has a typical colour.
Besides this international approach illustrates perfectly the ANCIENT RITES attitude (different nationalities in the band), it is also a sign of respect towards the foreign fans and creates an extra bond.
A harmony between music and lyrics has to be achieved.
Q: Who are your biggest influences?
A: Authenticity is the goal. I honestly think A.R. does not sound like any other band.
Q: What is some of your favorite art, books (please include authors), & movies, if any?
A: I love ancient writers: Herodotes “Histories”, Tacitus “Germania”, Julius Caesar (Bello Gallico) works of Plutargos etc…Poetry of Baudelaire, Lord Byron, Shelley I find inspiring.
In modern literature I appreciate the work of Steven Pressfield (Gates of Fire), Umberto Ecco (The Name of the Rose), Ian Pears (Dream of Scipio), Hubert Lampo (coming of Joachim Stiller), Ernest Claes (”De Oude Klok”), “War of the Worlds” (H.G. Wells).
I admire Flemish painters such as Pieter Breughel, Rubens, brothers Van Eyck, Teniers.
Movies I enjoyed are “Name of the Rose”, “Flesh & Blood”, The Third Man”, “All the Kings Men (Gallipoli)”, “M”. I rate Peter Weir and Alfred Hitchcock high. I collect books on ancient and medieval history and W.W. II.
Q: When will Ancient Rites be touring? Is there a European/American/Japanese/Other tour planned?
A: Gigs in Belgium, Holland, Germany, England, Austria, Slovenia and Portugal are planned. Offers are reaching us and the attention will increase with the new album being released next week. Appearances on summer festivals are planned.
Q: In general, what has Ancient Rites been up to lately?
A: We recorded a new studio album entitled “Rubicon” and have been playing England and Germany, try out gigs to introduce the new material.
Q: How do you categorize Ancient Rites’s sound when people say “What kind of music is it” Death, Black, Metal, What?
A: I think our music contains elements of different styles of Metal ranging from Black to Heavy to progressive Metal with a strong classical touch and orchestral parts which enables the listener to travel to the historical era’s we describe.
Q: Any Ancient Rites members from other bands, or currently working on other projects?
A: I play in LION’S PRIDE (formerly known as DIVISION 99), the music is like a tribute to my earliest youth and is ranging from old school Punk, to Hardcore, Rock’n Roll, Folk and Oi!. Punk and Oi! music always have been important in my life since the 70’s and the “Do it yourself” mentality made me decide to form a band, we signed to PURE IMPACT, a label specialized in Oi! Who released “STAND AND DEFEND” our debut record which includes a video. Gigs all over Europe are taking place. Lyrics deal with history, ancestry and everyday life issues. We made our debut on a Compilation of Pure Impact.
I’m also involved in a band named IRON CLAD, it is a band consisting of Metal veterans who still hold on to their old roots, it is not just another retro band. Music is real Heavy Metal, lyrics are rather epic (specially dealing with medieval history). We invited Erik of A.R. as a guest in studio as well. The debut album “LOST IN A DREAM” was released through Goodlife Records.
Recently an IRON CLAD/LION’S PRIDE split album was released entitled “Fortress Europe/For Folk and Land” through Nepherex Records.
LION’S PRIDE appeared on several international compilations. I play bass in LES VILLAINS which is classical Oi! and released several albums with DANSE MACABRE (Gothic Rock).
These different bands give me the opportunity to use my voice in a different way and to explore topics which wouldn’t fit to the concept of ANCIENT RITES.
It is a way to show different aspects of my personality. I realize there are people who dislike the fact I work on different musical fields but I refuse to limit myself. Metal will always be an important part of my life but why should I be narrow minded?
I have a huge record collection in which many styles can be found: from the most amateurish noise to the most divine music. A person carries so many different emotions and feelings inside, to each one exists a different kind of music, depending on the actual mood.
Guitarist Erik plays in a Hardrock band named PLUSMINUS, bass player Domingo plays in a Goth Metal band named GRACEFALLEN and guitarist Raf is involved in projects such as R.A.F. and AHRAYEPH (dark wave/experimental/industrial).
Q: Any plans for the next CD yet, or are you still working on supporting the latest release?
A: With a new album released next week we fully concentrate on “Rubicon”.
Q: Besides Ancient Rites, what are the various band members into when not, touring, rehearsing, recording music?
A: I used to earn a living as a painter/designer. Love to travel the world to historical locations.
I am a book/dvd collector, love strategic/war PC games and am passionate about horses: I attend horse riding schools. I practice different styles of riding and equally like working with elegant warm blooded jumping horses as with mighty cold blooded heavy horses. I have a weak spot for the Belgian Brabant heavy horse and the shire horse.
Q: What is your opinion on the current state of the world? (terror, the war in Iraq, and so on…)
A: The world has become a smaller place with our modern means of traveling and technology.
This is both positive and negative. It enables travelers to taste of foreign cultures, gain knowledge. Negative side is that cultures clash on large scales over religion, power, culture and whereas in past centuries wars mostly were fought on battlefields between regular troops it is now happening on the streets.
Due to terrorism enemies are no longer visible and an atmosphere of danger is created. Friends and foes often live as neighbours on the same spot.
Actually not much has changed, there have been conflicts between the East and West since ancient times but today the kind of warfare is different, more complex.
Q: Anything I left out that you want to say?
A: I think everything is said and done. Thank you for this nice conversation. All the best with your publication.
Feel free to visit our website at: http://ancientrites.be/
