Nightshade Online-Mag March 1999, GERMANY
Being recorded at the Danse Macabre-Studios under direction of Bruno Kramm, "Fallen Angel's Symphony" has finally advanced to a record which contains such an eerie and unholy atmosphere that many wannabe-Black Metal-bands would turn green from envy. Apropos Black Metal : Don't get me wrong as ANCIENT CEREMONY are one of the very few bands that you can't file - surely there are Black Metal-influences on this release but taking Chris Anderle's lyrical influences (Crowley, de Sade, Byron, Goethe, Nietzsche and Stoker) and his interest in topics like Satanism, Occultism, Mythology and even the Templars into consideration, "Fallen Angel's Symphony" is centuries away from being a standard (and therefore a run-of-the-mill) Black Metal-release - additionally, the heavy Gothic-influences pay a good tribute to the versatility of the band, too. Okay, I didn't have a very good opinion about this release when listening to it first but after a while the unholy seeds ANCIENT CEREMONY have planted in my mind enfolded their whole effect and so I was swallowed by the atmosphere of this record completely. "Under Moonlight we kiss" was rather easy to listen to but "Fallen Angel's Symphony" is much more demanding - the first two songs "Death in Desire's Masquerade" and "Brides ghostly Grace" already show this. Strange and eerie keyboard melodies are, together with solid guitar-section of course - the frame for ANCIENT CEREMONY's music and already introduce the listener into the special flair that comes with the band and together with the performances of all three singers, songs like "The Tragedy of Forsaken Angels" or "Babalon Ascends" (which is that symphonic that one can easily listen out the classical influences of this band as well) are real proof for this. After many, many listening turns I had to admit that ANCIENT CEREMONY have grown - not just musically but also as it concerns a complete, well- and hard-working band. Surely many people will still find CRADLE OF FILTH-similarities in the music of this band (Chris is - together with CRADLE's Dani - surely the best lyricist in the entire Metal-scene) but who cares ? ANCIENT CEREMONY have found their way and if they improve in the same ways they improved from their first to this second album, the band will achieve an immortal status at last ! "Fallen Angel's Symphony" will definitely help to become one of Germany's leading bands - if they aren't among those already ! Brilliant!
(Oliver Schoenknecht, 8,5 points out of 10)

The Worst" Zine (UK) # 666
If I was asked to sum up this album in just one word, the word would be "wow!", basically the album is absolutely awesome a true experience of dark orchestral movements which has left me gobsmacked, every time I go to put the album the first few seconds of "Death in desires masquarade" just leaves me in awe...
If you'll excuse my optimism then I believe that Ancinet Ceremony have perfected the mix between classical orchestral music with metal, no doubt about it. Anderle provides an amazing vocal mix of screams, growls and whispers along with back up from two, amazing, chantresses (an alto and a soprano)...a truly amazing feeling.
There is true structure in the songs with the powerful metal tunes twisted with classical music to give a truly gothic feel with a sense of relaxed black metal, songs structured around satanism and it's philosophies mixed with occultism, mythology and their ilk...so there we are - Satanic romance...
It would be criminal really if I were to give this any less than a (10) wouldn't it?
(Kevin Morris; 10 points out of 10)

Enslain Mag #6
From beginning to end, this CD is filled with some of the most inspired dark music I've ever heard! Ancient Ceremony makes you feel the gloomy atmosphere of an ancient burial ground and of the evocations taking place there. They have the capability to produce such technical darkness due to the outstanding talent of each member. The keyboardist explores realms that are unexpected and beatiful and the guitarists churn out some heavy riffs. The male vocalist fits the music very well...I feel the darkness that Ancient Ceremony convey ...it's difficult not to fall into their grasp from first listen.
(Lady Enslain)

G.U.C. #12, GERMANY
"Fallen Angel's Symphony" is the second CD of 1991 founded Ancient Ceremony...dark moods dominate the scenario. All in all "FAS" sounds like a Metal-version of Elend. Satanism and occultism get praised here in a really unique way. The music does not lack of brutality but has also symphonic or technical aspects so that it stays interesting all the time and you can even detect new details after "x" listens. Especially the two female vocalists - who seem to be duelling with the raw and screaming male singer - are fascinating. All in all "FAS" has turned out extremely well, a work which is going to be used as "soundtrack" for black masses some time!
(Jens Roehle)

Bodystyler 28 /April '99, GERMANY
Gothic Black Metal the finest and most emotional way. Dreamy melodies full of desire, mixed with the morbid voice of Vampyre-lord Chris Anderle. Moreover you can hear impressive female passages full of dark melancholy. Ancient Ceremony accept no doubt as the power of the black creatures of the night is irresistible. "Fallen Anegl's Symphony" takes you, leads you, it wakens your desires and dreams. You are one step closer now to death and immortality and bloodsoaked you await the next sunset so that the game may start again...
(Satyra; 4 points out of 5)

The Metal Review
Considering what they are trying to accomplish they couldn't be much more successful. The music Ancient Ceremony play is vampyric/black metal, so expect lush keyboards lines over melodic guitar parts with both distorted and female vocals. The comparison to Cradle of Filth is inevitable, but only because they are the most popular band of Ancient Ceremony's genre. I'd take "Fallen Angel's Symphony" over "Cruelty and the Beast" any day. So many things are attempted and they all come together beautifully...the contrast of Chris' harsh screams and the two female vocalist beautiful singing is used to its fullest potential. The most notable thing about this release is either the use of both an alto and soprano female vocalist or the majestic keyboard lines, both of which make the music darkly beautiful. At their best moments (e.g. " Death in Desire's Masquerade") Ancient Ceremony's melodic beauty is stunning.
(Chris; 9 points out of 10)

. Sonic Seducer #03/99 (March), GERMANY
There still must be a God! Ancient Ceremony's second work "Fallen Angel's Symphony" is a successful mixture of Dark/Gothic Black Metal, classical arrangments and is full of emotions which find expression especially through the choir-like and different vocals. Lyrically Ancient Ceremony deal with occult and mystic sagas (as well as historical happenings) so that the concept of this record is based upon Satanic philosophies, Templar Knights and books. Together with the versatile music an ocean full of emotions and darkness is evoked and out of its depths this Metal opera got created.
(Carsten Boehme; 9 points out of 10)

Excerpts from soundcheck of Sonic Seducer #03/99, GERMANY
Black Metal with wonderful church organs / atmospheric Gothicmetal based on solid Black Metal...the powerful sound is present through the whole album / those into hymnic (?) Black Metal with atmospheric background vocals should get this in any case / YOSA! Baphomet and the Templar as one theme of a very atmospheric and melancholic Dark Metal opera. A genious album! / The elements are all well known but get used in a special way. In the Dark/Gothic Black Metal genre they are more eerie, more occult than most other bands / great mixture of different Metal genres / a bombastic-brutal Black Metal symphony! / wonderful melodies and emotional backing vocals / the favourite here is "Devil's Paradise", opera singer meets Death grunts, fantastic / after "Under Moonlight we kiss" the second opus of this Gothic Black Metal formation. Bombastic and also electrifying!
(Ranked 5th; average: 7,20 points out of 10)

Trident #8, GERMANY
Ancient Ceremony have moved further towards extreme Metal...and although I was surprised at this developement, "Fallen Angel's Symphony" grows more on me every time I hear it. Chris' vocals appear more extreme than the last time which could also be due to clearer and better produced sound. The combination of infernal screams, growls and dark recitation...comes across very well....the two girls who warble on this are a pleasure to listen to. "Fallen Angel's Symphony" is definately worth a listen if you're into gothic Black Metal but I suggest you listen to it a few times before forming an opinion because Ancient Ceremony do deviate from the norm.
(Sharon Wennekers; 8 points out of 10)

Last Episode Catalogue Review February 1999
With their fascinating debut "Under Moonlight we kiss" Germany's Ancient Ceremony created a jewel of atmospheric Black Metal which made it very hard for the successor to be even better. The basical direction is still kept on "Fallen Angel's Symphony" but they present themselves even more openminded. Variable synth-sounds create a vast mystic field on which the guitars and the permanently changing vocal sytles build their throne. The result is like a melancholic fairy tale in that the beast tries kidnap the beautiful maiden nocturnally. Fans of symphonic Black Metal ought to get this without one single second of doubt as Ancient Ceremony indeed have surpassed themselves again. It is simply genious how all those ideas are put together and how many different effects get used straight to the point. One of the highlights here is "Black Roses on Her Grave" - listen to this and get bewitched!

Chronicles of Chaos #38, USA
After going through some considerable line-up changes (bassist and both guitarists were all replaced and there are two new female vocalists), Ancient Ceremony return with "Fallen Angel's Symphony". This new album is essentially based upon the same elements as their debut "Under Moonlight We Kiss" [CoC #30], but with all the line-up changes and surely also because the band's experience has increased since their debut, "Fallen Angel's Symphony" is clearly superior. The female vocals are better and the guitar work is more interesting than before...The music here is just better overall... the keyboard also produces better results this time. The male vocals still fit the rest of the music quite well... as far as mid-paced dark gothic Metal goes, Ancient Ceremony have produced a fine album, in which the rather raw potential they had shown with their debut has been given a good treatment.
(Pedro Azevedo, 8 points out of 10)

Metal Heart #1, GERMANY (March/April '99)
Gothic Black Metal at its very best already for the second time after the 1997 debut "Under Moonlight..." from this German band around Chris Anderle who is a.o. inspired and infleunced by the 14th century Templar Knights and Crowley's "Book of the Law". "Fallen Angel's Symphony" sounds very mystical through darkest atmosphere and variable vocals not the least as the female singers (Cynthia and Erna) turn out as a real enrichment. All in all one can say that this second longplay should finally be the breakthrough for Ancient Ceremony!
(Jochen Riethmueller)

Scream Mag #45, NORWAY (February/March '99)
...this time they've more gone towards the Metal style. The songs are better, the production stronger and the whole album is more symphonic. Nice one!
(B. Norsterud; 4 points out of 6)

Godreah #9, UK
A requiem to the incorporal sons of God who sacrificed their souls to lie with mortal woman. The music here amplifies that arcane myth wioth a mastery of gloom enriched guitar tones and enigmatic agonising vocals. The atmosphere of Gothic uluation is preserved through the layers of haunting female vocals, hypnotic keyboards and bewitching arrangments which will caress your most intimate thoughts with echoes of a fallen race extinguished for acrime all himans must endure. This is an album crafted on a grand scale where a great deal of work has gone into the songs. It's an elaborate mystical journey into an age lost in histories lack of understanding. (Crin)

Orkus #03/99, GERMANY
The music of Germany's Ancient Ceremony is a perfect symbiosis of Black Metal, Gothic and Darkwave. After the "Where Serpents reign" demo (1993), the "Cemetary Visions" MCD (1994) and the well attentioned debut "Under Moonlight we kiss" they now have released their second album "Fallen Angel's Symphony". The lyrics on this CD deal with occultism, mythology and Satanism. Among the inflal as the guitars lean towards this with a really powerful sound that is created by hard, driving rhythms. All in all a definitely convincing work!
(Stefan Lochner)

New Rock and Metal Hammer #03/99, GERMANY
...grant your attention to this album of Ancient Ceremony...vocalist Chris Anderle succeeds really well in creating a mixture of "husky" whispers, sinister narrations and ghostly screams. It is mainly the dark arrangments which lift this recording above the average.
(Robert Mueller; 5 points out of 7)

Deftone #02/99, GERMANY
"Black Metal"? No, not directly, this is somehow different. Dark and romantic fit well but "Darkly Romantic Metal"? Perhaps "Dark Metal"? None of the senseless genre definitions I have learned about describe this here, damn...really positive; this easy to consume mixture of melodic, harmonic (Gothic?) Metal, female voices, synths and individual, theatralically screamed vocals of the frontman appears really unique...I enjoyed this album. There's alot of potential but next time I'd wish them to experiment a bit more.
(FD; 11 points out of 15)