PAGAN ALTAR are from Brockley, London, UK and have been around since 1978. Well, they did take a break from 1986 until 2004, but hey, everybody needs some time off, even if it is 16 years. Musically they are a mix of NWOBHM with Doom Metal and Heavy Metal. Think CIRITH UNGOL and MANILLA ROAD. They have produced six studio albums in that time, the latest one "Never Quite Dead" having been released in 2025. However, this reissue of "Lords of Hypocrisy" is of their sophomore album that was originally released in 2004. Now, some 21 years later we get the chance to experience what the band did back then.

Because let's not forget that "Lords of Hypocrisy" actually houses songs that were written between 1976 and 1983 (even though the band wasn't formed until 1978), so in reality the music that I am listening to covers the first few years, in other words the real start of the band. And that, my friends, does throw a whole different light on the album that I am reviewing. Why do I say this? Because I now have to admit that from the start PAGAN ALTAR were able to write rather good songs, that were ahead of their time. They knew how to rock, but also how to hold back and create space.

And no, PAGAN ALTAR might not have conquered the world with this album, I do believe that, judging by what I am hearing on "Lords of Hypocrisy", they did and do deserve a whole lot more credit than they have had throughout their career. And in that respect, you have to applaud Dying Victims Productions for pushing the boat out by airing this album for a second time. I can't find any information if anything has been enhanced, changed or altered, but it really doesn't matter to me, as I have never heard the original version. This current rendition of on "Lords of Hypocrisy" not only houses a proper sound by means of a good production, it also is filled with songs that have substance, that make you want to hear more.

And no, I'm not going to rate this extremely high, as I even though I think this is really good, and the band does deserve to be heard by many, nothing on this album is of such an extraordinary quality that it will set the musical world on fire. But I also know that PAGAN ALTAR can keep a lot of people warmer than they would have thought beforehand. That's why everyone who likes their mix of NWOBHM with Doom Metal and Heavy Metal to at least have a good listen to this reissue of "Lords of Hypocrisy".