ANCIENT MYTH

Symphonic metal band ANCIENT MYTH are one of Japanese metal's great survival stories. Formed in 2002 by then-drummer MITTU, they debuted in 2005 on Black-listed Records, becoming one of that label's first and longest-standing artists. Amid a spate of other line-up changes, MITTU left in 2011, leaving frontwoman Michal, who joined in 2008, to take the reins.

Though members have continued to come and go, ANCIENT MYTH have not merely survived but have flourished under Michal's stewardship. In 2016, they inked a deal with German label Fastball Music, and became only the third Japanese band to appear at the prestigious Metal Female Voices Fest in Belgium.