Pagan Altar

Pagan Altar is a cult classic band from the United Kingdom known for blending traditional doom metal with elements of NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal). Originally formed in the late 1970s by vocalist Terry Jones and his guitarist son Alan Jones, the band stood out with their dark, occult-themed lyrics and theatrical performances, often incorporating candles, robes, and a mystical atmosphere. Though they didn’t gain widespread recognition during their original run, their self-released early material, especially 1982’s Judgement of the Dead, became highly sought after among doom metal collectors and underground metal fans.

The band experienced a resurgence in the early 2000s when their rare recordings were reissued, introducing a new generation to their haunting sound and cementing their legacy as pioneers of doom metal. Tragically, Terry Jones passed away in 2015, but not before completing vocals for what would become The Room of Shadows, released posthumously in 2017. Today, Pagan Altar is revered as a significant influence in the doom and occult metal genres, blending heartfelt, melancholic melodies with a timeless heaviness.

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