Ainur - From Ancient Times (2007)

From Ancient Times is the second studio album by the Italian progressive rock/symphonic rock band Ainur, released in 2007 on Electromantic Music.

The music is a sweeping blend of classic progressive rock, cinematic symphonic orchestrations, folk motifs, and rock opera elements. The album features polyphonic vocals (both male and female), rich keyboard parts, flutes, violins, and heavy guitar riffs.

The Italian project Ainur is known for its deep devotion to J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium. Almost all of their albums are conceptual musical arrangements of the writer's works, primarily The Silmarillion.

From Ancient Times is dedicated to the ancient history of Middle-earth—from the creation of the world (Ainulindalë) and the Age of the Valar to the early wars with Morgoth and the histories of the Elven kingdoms.

Each composition reveals a specific plot episode or character (Valar, Maldor, Feanor, etc.), and the different timbres of the vocalists convey the characters' personalities.