Pagan Altar - Judgement Of The Dead. LP & Book. (Black Widow - BWR084) Behold, for yea and verily the Dark One hath bestowed another masterpiece upon us. After many years of obscurity, and we DO mean obscurity, this seminal NWOBHM release- now belatedly recognised as one of the foundation stones of black, doom and stoner metal- is available again on a seriously heavy vinyl pressing comlete with a book detailing the band's history. Like Leaf Hound, Black Widow, Pentagram, Hell, Monument, Angel Witch or Witchfynde, Pagan Altar are another of Metal's most fog-shrouded, cloaked in mystery bands whose influence was only felt years later when latterday heroes such as Mayhem, Candlemass and Cathedral quoted them as an influence, and the music DOES live up to the reputation. Dense, doomy, punishing riffs, fluid drumming, fuzzy bass and evil yet melodic vocals proliferate, particularly on the nine minute epic 'Reincarnation' and the track 'Pagan Altar' itself. The production is of the same suitably lo-fi nature as all lost NWOBHM classics: but whereas many of those bands specialised in third rate Sabs/Priest ripoffs, the Altar really did add something new to the genre, and it's about time you discovered it. Kneel and worship. Includes a 30 page band history booklet.

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