Soon after leaving school, Ferreira began working as an engineer at Jack Trax Records, a job which enabled him to glimpse first-hand the work of such auteurs as Derrick May and Marshall Jefferson. He began recording in 1988 with C.J. Bolland as Space Opera (eventually releasing four singles for R&S Records) and also recorded the first single for Fragile ("Why Don't You Answer" as himself) before meeting McBean, a top DJ who had worked with Keith Franklin of Bang the Party as the DJ team KCC.

The pair began recording together in 1990; their first activity was an engineering job for Fade to Black (aka Jay Denham), but later they debuted on vinyl with their first single, recorded for inclusion on a sampler by Network Records. The official debut of the Advent came in 1994, just after Ferreira signed to Internal Records (also the home of Orbital). He convinced McBean to join him in the recording of a series of crucially limited singles, then the debut Advent album Elements of Life in late 1995. Critics championed the duo's energetic update of original techno renegades like Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson, and the Advent followed with the remix album Shaded Elementz one year later. Their second proper album A New Beginning appeared in 1997, though Internal Records dropped the duo soon after its release. After transferring to the Metalbox division of Northwest/BMG, the Advent returned later that year with Kombination Phunk, which alternated remixes with several original productions. In 1999, McBean left, citing his reluctance to continue touring, though he continued to record under his solo alias, G Flame and Mr. G. Ferreira continued his busy release schedule, including a 12" series ("Sound Sketch") for Tresor during 1998-2000, the 2002 full-length Sketched for Life, and Light Years Away in late 2003. ~ John Bush