Pagan Altar (with Magic Circle's singer) announce North American tour, reissues

Legendary UK doom band Pagan Altar were formed back in 1976 by father and son Terry and Alan Jones, and only self-released one legendary album (later titled Judgement of the Dead) before breaking up in 1985. They reformed in 2004 and released the also-revered album Lords of Hypocrisy, which featured un-recorded material written during their initial run. Another album, 2006’s Mythical and Magical, followed, and the band had been working on another album until Terry, who fronted the band, sadly passed away in 2015 after a battle with cancer. That album, Room of Shadows, was completed and released in 2017 via Canadian label Temple of Mystery Records, and Alan has since been keeping Pagan Altar alive with a new lineup. Terry’s replacement is Brendan Radigan, who fronts a few other bands, including modern doom band Magic Circle, who bands like Pagan Altar helped pave the way for. The current lineup is rounded out by bassist Diccon Harper (of Voice of Destruction), guitarist Andres Arango (of Montreal’s Cauchemar) and drummer Andy Green (ex-Bloodstone).

Meanwhile, they’re now also reissuing the older albums…

First in the series of reissues are Judgment of the Dead and Lords of Hypocrisy, set for international release on April 17th via Temple of Mystery. Judgment of the Dead features remastered audio, with the vinyl edition including an updated 32-page booklet detailing the early history of the band. A limited edition of 250 copies will be pressed on silver vinyl. Meanwhile, the Lords of Hypocrisy reissue features an original painting by fantasy surrealist Adam Burke, who also created the haunting cover to The Room of Shadows. A limited edition of 250 copies will be available on blue vinyl. The CD editions of both albums will feature exclusive liner notes.

To promote the reissues, Pagan Altar are now gearing up to go on a short North American tour in August, with Andres Arango’s band Cauchemar opening all dates. They’re playing their first-ever NYC show on August 30 at Saint Vitus, and that show also has additional support from black metal project Spite. Tickets for the Saint Vitus show are on sale now. All dates — including a Toronto show with Blood Ceremony — are listed below, along with a few album streams.

Pagan Altar — 2019 Tour Dates
5/30-6/1 Sweden Muskelrock Festival
6/20-22 Austria Holy Festival
8/23 Montreal, QC La Sala Rossa w/ Palmistry*
8/24 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace w/ Blood Ceremony, Smoulder*
8/30 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus w/ Spite*
8/31 Chicago, IL TBD*
9/1 Los Angeles, CA The Echo w/ Blade Killer*

* – w/ Cauchemar