Ancient Rites are a Belgian Folk/Viking Metal band formed circa 1989. Plagued by the tragic deaths of two founding members, and the depature of a third, the group struggled to find its feet early on. Their sound at this time adhered to a black metal style witnessed on their first two albums, 'The Diabolic Serenades' (1994) and 'Blasfemia Eternal' (1996). 1998's 'Fatherland', however showed much more of a prevalence towards folk/Viking metal stylings through the use of Flutes and Symphonic Keyboard arrangements. This sound would continue to stay with the group until the present, with 2001's Dim Carcosa noted by many as their peak effort.
