Pagan Altar |Mythical & Magical |Dying Victims Productions

Release Date February 27^th, 2026
Format CD/LP
Genre Heavy/Doom Metal
Country UK

Pagan Altar is a name whispered in the shadows by anyone who actually gives a damn about the history of British metal. Formed in London back in 1978, these guys were far too weird and mystical for the radio, blending heavy/doom with a gloomy, rustic folk vibe that felt like it was unearthed from a burial mound. Led by the late, legendary Terry Jones and his son Alan, the band spent decades as a cult secret before finally getting the respect they deserved. "Mythical & Magical" is their third full-length, pulling together songs that sat in the vault since the late seventies and early eighties, finally seeing the light of day to prove that some things just get more potent with age.

If you want music that sounds like a damp forest at midnight, "Mythical & Magical" is the gold standard. This album is a massive, sprawling beast that ignores every trend from the last forty years. Alan Jones handles the guitar like a wizard, weaving these intricate, soulful leads that dance around the crushing weight of the riffs. It’s got that ancient, dusty atmosphere that Dying Victims Productions is smart to keep alive. This isn't just a collection of songs. It’s a trip into a world of folklore and dark magic that leaves most modern "occult" bands looking like plastic toys.

The vocals from Terry Jones are the real deal, high, reedy, and full of a haunting character that you just don't hear anymore. When he tells stories in tracks like "The Cry Of The Banshee" or "The Crowman," you believe every word of the nightmare. The rhythm section of Trevor Portch and Mark Elliot keeps things grounded, providing a thick, thumping pulse that allows the melodies to soar. There’s a certain melancholy hanging over the whole experience, especially on the longer epics where the folk influence bleeds into the heavy rock foundations.

This reissue is a mandatory pickup for the double vinyl alone, especially with that etching on the final side. It’s the peak of the band’s output, showing off their mastery of that specific "NWOBHM meets 70s rock" style they perfected. The production on "Samhein" and "The Sorcerer" captures warmth and a resonance that digital-obsessed bands can’t replicate. It’s a 20th-anniversary celebration of an album that was already timeless when it dropped, proving Pagan Altar is the true king of the underground.

Score: 8.0