Anciients

{{Short description|Canadian heavy metal band}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Anciients | image = | caption = | image_size =  | landscape = | alias = | origin = Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | genre = Heavy metal, progressive metal, sludge metal | years_active = {{start date|2011}}–present | label = Season of Mist | website = {{URL|http://ancients.ca/}} (defunct) | current_members = Kenny Cook<br/>Mike Hannay<br/>Brock MacInnes<br/>Rory O'Brien | past_members = Chris Dyck<br/>Aaron "Boon" Gustafson }}

'''Anciients''' are a Canadian heavy metal band from Vancouver, British Columbia.<ref name=straight>[https://www.straight.com/life/425326/best-bands-2013-anciients "Best of bands 2013: Anciients"]. ''The Georgia Straight'', September 18, 2013.</ref> The band's current lineup includes singer/guitarist Kenny Cook, drummer Mike Hannay, guitarist Brock MacInnes, and bassist Rory O'Brien. ==History== The band was formed in 2011 by Cook and Hannay, with bassist Aaron "Boon" Gustafson and guitarist Chris Dyck. Cook, Gustafson, and Dyck were all previously in the band Spread Eagle (not to be confused with a New York hard rock band of the same name).<ref name=interview>[http://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/interview-anciients-discuss-signing-with-season-of-mist-playing-with-lamb-of-god "Interview: Anciients discuss signing with Season of Mist, playing with Lamb of God"]. ''Metal Insider'', November 15, 2013.</ref> Anciients released their debut album, ''Heart of Oak'', in 2013 on Season of Mist. The album was named a long-listed nominee for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize.<ref>[https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/music/polaris-prize-long-list-includes-tegan-and-sara-metric-and-more-with-full-list "Polaris Prize long list includes Vancouver's Tegan and Sara, Hannah Georgas and Anciients"]. ''Vancouver Sun'', June 13, 2013.</ref>

In spring 2013, the band toured part of the United States as an opening act for Lamb of God.<ref name=interview/><ref>{{cite web |title=ANCIIENTS Added To LAMB OF GOD US Tour, May 2013 |url=https://bravewords.com/news/anciients-added-to-lamb-of-god-us-tour |website=bravewords.com |access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> In fall 2013, they were slated to tour both Canada and the United States as an opening act for selected dates on Sepultura's "Tsunami of Metal" tour,<ref>[http://exclaim.ca/News/sepultura_announce_tsunami_of_metal_north_american_tour_with_unearth_kataklysm_anciients "Sepultura Announce "Tsunami of Metal" North American Tour with Unearth, Kataklysm, Anciients"]. ''Exclaim!'', September 12, 2013.</ref> although the tour was cancelled due to Sepultura's difficulties in obtaining travel visas to enter the United States.<ref>[http://www.metalinsider.net/touring/sepultura-cancel-north-american-tour-due-to-via-issues "Sepultura cancel North American tour due to via issues"]. ''Metal Insider'', October 29, 2013.</ref>

Dyck left the band in January 2017<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zukowski |first1=Zenae |title=Guitarist Chris Dyck is Anciients history |url=https://metalinsider.net/updates/guitarist-chris-dyck-is-anciients-history |website=metalinsider.net |date=24 January 2017 |publisher=Metal Insider |access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> and was replaced by Brock MacInnes, after the band had recorded their second album ''Voice of the Void''. The album was released in October of that year,<ref>{{cite web |title=Anciients Voice of the Void |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/voice-of-the-void-mw0002969631/credits |website=allmusic.com |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref> and won the award for Heavy Metal Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2018.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/news/junos-2018-the-complete-list-of-winners-1.4579405 "Junos 2018: the complete list of winners"]. ''CBC News'', · March 25, 2018</ref> Gustafson left the band in 2023 and was replaced by Rory O'Brien. Their third album ''Beyond the Reach of the Sun'' was released in 2025, and earned the band their second Juno Award for Heavy Metal Album of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keenan |first=Hesher |date=2025-04-04 |title=Anciients Won Their Second JUNO Award |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2025/04/04/anciients-won-their-second-juno-award/ |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}}</ref>

==Band members== '''Current''' * Kenny Cook – vocals, guitar (2011–present) * Mike Hannay – drums (2011–present) * Brock MacInnes – guitar (2017–present) * Rory O'Brien – bass (2023–present)

'''Former''' * Chris Dyck – guitar (2011–2017) * Aaron "Boon" Gustafson – bass (2011–2023)

==Discography==

;Studio albums * ''Heart of Oak'' (2013) * ''Voice of the Void'' (2016) * ''Beyond the Reach of the Sun'' (2024) ;EPs * ''Snakebeard'' (2011)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160301002442/http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/ANCIIENTS#/artists/ANCIIENTS ANCIIENTS] on CBC Music

Category:Canadian heavy metal musical groups Category:Musical groups from Vancouver Category:Canadian musical quartets Category:Musical groups established in 2011 Category:2011 establishments in British Columbia Category:Season of Mist artists Category:Juno Award for Heavy Metal Album of the Year winners