Anciients

Anciients (stylized as ANCIIENTS) are a Canadian heavy metal band from Vancouver, British Columbia.^[1] The band was founded by vocalist and guitarist Kenny Cook, guitarist Chris Dyck, bassist Aaron "Boon" Gustafson and drummer Mike Hannay.

Anciients
Origin	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Genres	Heavy metal, progressive metal, sludge metal
Years active	2011 (2011)–present
Labels	Season of Mist
Members	Kenny Cook Mike Hannay Brock MacInnes Rory O'Brien
Past members	Chris Dyck Aaron "Boon" Gustafson
Website	ancients.ca (defunct)

History

The band was formed in 2011, following the demise of Spread Eagle (not the New York hard rock band of the same name), a band which included Cook, Gustafson and Dyck.^[2]

The band 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.^[3]

In spring 2013, the band toured part of the United States as an opening act for Lamb of God.^[2][4] In fall 2013, the band were slated to tour both Canada and the United States as an opening act for selected dates on Sepultura's "Tsunami of Metal" tour,^[5] although the tour was cancelled due to Sepultura's difficulties in obtaining travel visas to enter the United States.^[6]

Dyck left the band in January 2017,^[7] and was replaced by Brock MacInnes, after the band had recorded their second album Voice of the Void, which was released in October of 2017.^[8] The album won the Juno Award for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2018.^[9]

At the 2025 Juno Awards, Anciients won Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year for their third album Beyond the Reach of the Sun, marking the band’s second Juno Award win, following their first victory in 2018 for Voice of the Void.^[10]

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)