Pagan Altar
Volume 1 (CD) 1998 Oracle Records
This is a re-issue of old work from Pagan Altar that they composed between 1978 and 1981. Given those dates you have probably guessed that this is traditional doom-metal. While overrunning with Sabbath influences, Pagan Altar stands out by the amount of atmosphere they have put into the music. The cover shows the entire band on stage in monk robes and this mystical feeling can also be found back in the music. The intro's sometimes remind me a bit of those old 80ties zombie movies like "Tomb of the Blind Zombies" or "Oasis of the living Dead". Druids slowly moving around through ancient ruins on their way to some sort of black mass. This however without losing anything of the heavy sound associated with 80ties doom bands. I also really need to mention the wonderful acoustic track ‘Acoustics’. Perhaps not the most typical track of the album, but brilliant stuff! However, Terry Jones' clean vocals do take some getting used to. Also, even though the album has been re-mastered, the production is not up to modern-day standards. That however does add to the 80ties feel of it all. If you are interested in this album (and I can recommend it to any fan of 80ties doom) please contact Russ Smit,. either via e-mail: BTears@aol.com or via the following postal address: Russ Smith, 6 Elderfield Road, Stoke Poges, Slough, Berkshire SL2 4DE, England. The album costs $15/25DM for Europe and $16 for the rest of the world.	1. Pagan Altar 2. In the Wake of Armadeus 3. Judgement of the Dead 4. The Black Mass 5. Night Rider 6. Acoustics 7. Reincarnation Approx. 39 minutes Original release date: 1982
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
The Lords of Hypocrisy (CD) 2004 Oracle Promitions
'Lords of Hypocrisy' consists of re-recordings of songs the band had written in its first period of existence. The band is probably very light for the ears of modern doom fans who learned doom metal with the rise of doom/death bands in the 90s and 00s; however, Pagan Altar manages to create a dark atmosphere that many big names of today's scene can't even dream of. The level of the compositions is extremely high and it is very difficult to pick one, but 'Satan's Henchmen', which in fewer than 3 minutes, gives lessons of how a doom metal song should feel. Also, the epics 'The Aftermath', 'March of the Dead' and 'Armageddon' can really haunt you with their slow paced riffs and atmosphere. The most difficult part of the album to be accepted by the average fan is the love-them-or-hate-them vocals (which remind me a lot of Dave Mustaine). Also, a dark point that keeps me from calling it perfect is the production. When it is compared with other modern traditional doom metal albums, it is a little bit empty to my ears. If you like bands like Pentagram, Sabbath and early Candlemass, then this is a must have album.	1. The Lords of Hypocrisy 2. Satan's Henchmen 3. Sentiments of Hate 4. Armageddon 5. The Interlude 6. The Aftermath 7. The Masquerade 8. The Devil Came Down to Brockley 9. March of the Dead Approx. 50 minutes
Reviewed by: Dmitris Plastiras