Band Info - ANCIENT CURSE

Music style: Progressive Power Metal

Since the mid-1980s, Ancient Curse have been among Germany’s most innovative metal bands. Emerging from the creative Bremen metal scene of that era, the band developed its own unique style early on, which remains the foundation of their musical work to this day: American-style progressive power metal – powerful, sophisticated and a long way from the common clichés of modern European power metal.

Their musical spectrum ranges from aggressive thrash attacks to epic progressive compositions and atmospheric ballads. Razor-sharp guitar riffs, complex arrangements, dynamic vocals and an unmistakable blend of heaviness and melody characterise the sound of Ancient Curse. Particularly remarkable: the band still performs today with the core line-up from the 1990s, making them one of the most consistent line-ups in their genre.

The band made history in the mid-1990s. With the song “Plastic Tears”, Ancient Curse reached number 1 in the Cuban rock radio charts and were invited to Cuba as state guests in 1996. As the first western rock band since the Beatles, the Bremen-based group toured the Caribbean island and played a concert tour that remains unique to this day, performing to enthusiastic audiences.

Following their reunion in 2013, Ancient Curse seamlessly built on their earlier successes. The album “The New Prophecy” (2020) received excellent reviews and laid the foundations for the band’s current creative phase. With “Dimension 5”, released in October 2024 via El Puerto Records, Ancient Curse presented their most accomplished work to date. The album was celebrated by the press and fans alike and is considered by many critics to be one of the prog-power-metal highlights of the year.

Live, too, the band impresses with energy, enthusiasm and musical precision. Whether headlining or supporting renowned acts such as Evergrey, Warlord, Brainstorm, Rage, Victory, Raven, Zed Yago or Tankard – Ancient Curse stand for intense concert experiences and authentic passion.

2026 marks another important chapter in the band’s history: alongside a performance at the Metal Lake Festival, for which a hymn of the same name was written and a video produced, Ancient Curse will appear as special guests on Threshold’s European “Hypothetical 25th Anniversary Tour” in October. At the same time, the band is already working on new material and further releases.

Almost four decades after their formation, Ancient Curse stand more than ever for timeless progressive power metal, musical individuality and the rare ability to credibly combine tradition with innovation.

Band members:

Pepe Pierez – Guitars/Vocals
Gunnar Erxleben – Guitars
Matthias Schröder – Drums
Thorsten Penz – Bass

All keys and orchestrations written and performed by Pepe Pierez and Gunnar Erxleben

Discography:

(Release date / Title / Label)

1987 - “From below” (Demo, self-released)
1991 - “Contrast in Union” (Demo, self-released)
1994 - “Grains of Sand” (Demo, self-released)
1996 - “Thirsty Fields” (Mini-CD, RAVE MUSIC)
1996 - “Return of the Summer” (Demo, self-released)
1997 - “The Landing” (Full-length CD, MUSIC IS INTELLIGENCE)
1998 - “Thirsty Fields” (Full-length re-release + 5 new tracks, CD, MUSIC IS INTELLIGENCE)
1999 - “My own Universe” (Demo CD, self-released)
2020 - “The New Prophecy” (Full-length CD, D-LP, Digital, Pure Steel Records)
2024 - “Dimension 5” (Full-length, El Puerto Records)
2026 - “Metal Lake” (Single, Digital, El Puerto Records) 

Artworks: Matthias Schröder