Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Pagan Altar - Pagan Altar (1982)

Delighted to find a Pagan Altar release in my current clan challenge for The Fallen.  Having espoused my love for The Lords of Hypocrisy already on the site, I get to fawn over their debut album now also.  As you will see from my other review, I am totally onboard with Terry Jones' vocals to the point where I would say they "make" Pagan Altar who they are really.  His vocals, coupled with the superb bluesy riffs of Jones' son, Alan and the Ward-esque drumming of John Mizrahi are the very essence of Pagan Altar.

This album is a thoroughly authentic experience for me to listen to.  It requires very little unwrapping as this is not multi-layered by any means and that is why it works so well.  This a real plug 'n play type of record.  This is not to say that it is simplistic though, as I already mentioned the drumming of Mizrahi reminds me a lot of Bill Ward, dropping in little runs and fills that you do not always pick up at first listen - repeated listens really does reward the listener with this one folks.  Again, far from being a dominant force, Trevor Portch's bass is ever-audible throughout the album giving a real completeness to the sound of the record with all members seeming to make as full as possible a contribution.

With an album that is themed on magic and mystical content it is interesting that the instrumental track that sits as the penultimate offering on the record was originally left as an untitled track.  The title of Acoustics only appeared once the pressing plant undertook the task of producing CD versions of the album.  The band apparently later referred to the track as being named The Dance of the Banshee which certainly seems more in keeping with the rest of the album.  Clearly striding with a heavy metal influence throughout, Volume I is a romp of a retrospective jaunt down memory lane for fans of late 70s/early 80s psychedelic rock and heavy metal.  Not quite as laden and oppressing as Black Sabbath but still the band's sound held a density and atmosphere that resonates to this day.  All hail Pagan Altar!