Progressive metal group Anciients have claimed their second JUNO Award, taking home Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year at the 2025 ceremony for Beyond the Reach of the Sun. The Vancouver-based band won the same award in 2018 for Voice of the Void, marking a return to national recognition after several years of relative silence.
This year’s shortlist featured some of the country’s most prominent heavy acts, including Spiritbox, Devin Townsend, Kittie, and Striker. Anciients’ win comes after an eight-year gap between albums and a significant lineup shift, with founding member and co-vocalist Chris Dyck departing in 2017. Guitarist/vocalist Kenny Cook, drummer Mike Hannay, and new members Brock MacInnes and Rory O’Brien now make up the band’s core.
In a brief statement, Cook acknowledged the significance of the award: “Just being nominated alongside the other legendary nominees was huge for us. We never fathomed we could win it.” The band accepted the award in person—unlike in 2018, when they were on tour in Europe and learned of their win from a distance.
Beyond the Reach of the Sun, released via Season of Mist, blends the band’s sludge and death metal roots with more melodic and expansive elements. It marks the first time Anciients have incorporated synths and keyboards into their sound, thanks in part to producer Jesse Gander and Justin Hagberg (3 Inches of Blood). The album also sees Cook stepping into the role of primary lyricist for the first time, drawing from personal experiences of grief, illness, and mental health.
The group are slated to perform at ArcTanGent Festival in the UK on August 15, followed by an appearance at ProgPower USA in Atlanta on September 4. These will be Anciients’ first major international shows in years.
While the band describe the hiatus as necessary, citing family and health reasons, the JUNO win signals a renewed momentum.
