Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends

Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends is Ancient's third full-length release. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered in Cue Recording Studios, Falls Church, Virginia during September 1997.

Mad Grandiose Bloodfiends
Studio album by
Released1997
GenreMelodic black metal
Gothic metal
Length1:07:04
LabelMetal Blade Records
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This album hearkens a rather drastic change of musical focus for the group, into a more melodic/gothic-oriented approach with an influx of clean/female singing, slower tempos and majestic stringed instruments, though much of the group's original black metal roots are still present. Song/lyrical topics also moved in a new direction, particularly with topics about vampires/vampirism. This has led to a strong backlash from fans and critics.

Track listing edit

Music as indicated. All lyrics by Kaiaphas except 6 - 9 by Thorne and 14 by King Diamond.

  1. "Malkavian Twilight" - 00:39 (Aphazel)
  2. "A Mad Blood Scenario" - 04:23 (Aphazel, Kaiaphas)
  3. "The Draining" - 05:26 (Aphazel)
  4. "Um Sonho Psycodelico" - 04:01 (Aphazel)
  5. "Sleeping Princess of the Arges" - 06:32 (Jesus Christ!)
  6. "Her Northern Majesty" - 05:51 (Aphazel)
  7. "Blackeyes" - 07:21 (Jesus Christ!)
  8. "The Emerald Tablet" - 07:14 (Aphazel)
  9. "Willothewisp" - 07:22 (Jesus Christ!)
  10. "Neptune" - 02:37 (Aphazel)
  11. "5" - 04:10 (Kaiaphas)
  12. "Hecate, My Love and Lust" - 06:04 (Aphazel)
  13. "Vampirize Natasha" - 02:34 (Aphazel, Jesus Christ!, & Kaiaphas)
  14. "Black Funeral" (Mercyful Fate cover) - 02:50 (Hank Shermann)

Kaiaphas wrote lyrics for the song Sleeping Princess of the Arges in 1994 for his then-band Grand Belial's Key. GBK's version has a different music and can be found on the demo Triumph of the Hordes.

Credits edit

  • Aphazel - Guitars / Bass / Keyboards
  • Lord Kaiaphas - Vocals / Drums / Percussion
  • Jesus Christ! - Guitars / Bass / Keyboards / Cello / Piano
  • Erichte - Female Vocals
  • Produced by Aphazel
  • Engineered by Doug Johnston