Review 13

What’s interesting about the early band pictures of PAGAN ALTAR is that they looked a little long in the tooth even back in 1980, which gives you a good idea of their listening habits throughout the late 1960’s and 70’s. Imagery of crumbling cathedrals and graveyard tombstones, and firmly rooted within the NWOBHM explosion, it’s probably fair to say that PAGAN ALTAR could very well be a 70’s band and yes, they do have that 70’s retro vibe.

A four piece band: Terry Jones (vocals), Alan Jones (Guitar), John Mizrahi (Drums), and Trevor Portch (Bass), the recording on Volume 1 is as simple as it gets for the timeframe given. Apparently recorded in an old studio built on top of a witches graveyard(!), the warmth in the tone is simply outstanding, with every instrument delivering that distinct vintage tube amp sound. Probably recorded with as few takes as possible, to give it that “live” feel and to stay within the confines of budgetary constraints, the vocals at times get drowned behind the massively robust riffs, and at other times sound extraordinarily prominent as if Terry Jones gets so emotionally involved in his singing, he belts out the vocals with just a little more adrenalin in his veins.

Written between 1979 and 1981, yet never officially released until nearly 20 years later and having only existed in bootleg format until then, Volume 1 is the doom embodiment of all things BLACK SABBATH with some of that improvised vibe of LED ZEPPELIN – however, all very much entrenched within the theme of the occult and Satanism. Back then the shock value played an important role in gathering fan attention, and so there is nothing subtle about the Satanic imagery, the monk robes, flickering candles, and coffins on stage. There are no hidden meanings here or innuendos, when T. Jones sings “This is the age, the age of Satan”, he sincerely sounds like he wants to invoke Samael and worship the goat with 666 between its horns, even in that nasal drawl of his. Of course, in reality, these were just 4 guys trying to get noticed, and lady luck never looked their way. Even at the making of a 7” at Abbey Road studios, the day of the pressing coincided with John Lennon getting shot, so everything fell apart and the master tapes were scrapped in way of Lennon tribute albums and re-releases.

“The Black Mass” and “Judgement of the Dead” are the two real standout tracks, pounding and emotional doomfests that they are, but the entire album is just spellbinding. There’s also a ZEPPELIN-fueled acoustic interlude simply entitled “Acoustics”, which amazingly was originally titled “Cry of the Banshee” though the print shop took it upon themselves to change the song title, for no apparent reason! Too expensive to change, they lived with the fuck up.

As with most stripped down classic doom albums, Volume 1 must be listened to at high volume. It’s at those high volume levels where the bass lines start resonating at your chest, and where it becomes clear that the 4 band members just feed off each other like disciples of the night. Both this and the 2004 psychedelically laced follow up, Lords of Hypocrisy (although again, containing material previously written around 1981) are mandatory additions to your CD collection, or better yet, vinyl. The original title of Volume 1 was actually Judgement of the Dead and so Black Widows have released an LP with all new artwork accordingly, and Miskatonic (Rich Walker’s label, from SOLSTICE) will be releasing the Lords of Hypocrisy vinyl.

You must do everything you can to find PAGAN ALTAR. Start with Volume 1 immediately, I cannot recommend this highly enough.