pH>artists>the altar

The Altar were a New Zealand gothic/heavy rock quartet. Drawing on Gothic/Post Punk, Alternative Rock, Indie Pop & Metal influences, the band are equally adept at crafting metallic white noise & lush ballads. Stalwarts of the burgeoning Rotorua hard music scene in the early 90's, A revolving door policy on members stabilised with the inclusion of drummer Royce Neale & bassist Andrew Robb in 1993. As a trio the band quickly developed a reputation as an explosive live act, plying their trade up & down New Zealand on their own, & with name bands such as Shihad, Dead Flowers, Semi Lemon Kola & Australian/Italian act Yage. The debut four song cassette EP released in June 95, Blind, sold very extemely well despite limited availablity, and received critical acclaim on both sides of the Tasman . Absolve gained radio play both in NZ, and Australia. The 1995 five song ...And Her Hallway: Souls @ Zero, saw the title track included on 2 CD compilations , the Australian Down Under Ground featured

The Altar as one of only two NZ bands, and achieved extensive underground airplay in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the US. The same track was also included on the German label Noiseworks Noisyland , a compilation of NZ underground rock, gaining more airplay in NZ. The band headed back to the studio in late 1996 to produce the six song effort, Under Godhead. It saw The Altar at their most dynamic. A sweeping blend of epic rock and haunting melody, epitomised by the 6 minute tour de force, Butterflies, which featured on Noiseworks Noisyland 2 compilation. After a year-long hiatus in 1997, & only sporadic live appearances in '98, The Altar returned in '99 equipped with a brandnew

member, guitarist Dene Young. Young was the bands long-time sound engineer, & previously frontman for Crawlspace & Echojar. 1999 also saw the release of The Nicotine Heart CD through mp3.com, & the start of the recording of the Prozac Anthems album, The Altars long awaited debut proper. 2000 sees Young taking on a dual role on guitar & synth, marking the first time since 1992 that The Altar have had a full keyboard presence. The recording of the Prozac Anthems album continues, "Most bands wait 20 years before releasing a pretentious, self important bloated concept album, we want to do it on debut" quips Wood. Whatever the future may hold, The Altar continue to create vital, relevant, & intelligent rock music.

...or possibly not.

the altar were:
Josh Wood - Guitar/Voice
Dene Young - Guitar/Synth
Andrew Robb - Bass
Royce Neale - Drums

the altar

"...It was great to finally hear The Altar live after
endless reruns of their twin demo tapes, 'cos I knew
they'd have more great songs in 'em..."
"...The Altar play a high powered form of "Gothic Metal"
for want of a label...their songs are uplifting,
alive & interlaced with complex rhythms &
sharp end guitar...The Altar pulled off an excellent set
of dark grooves..."
Rukkus! 7 April '96 - Live Review

"Fantastic track from this great New Zealand artist."
Mp3.com January 2000 - Buried goth rock song feature

"...It's a tape of catchy, thoughtful tunes, which if I can get
away with saying it, sounds a little like The Cult in places.
And yes, for the record that was a compliment..."
"...There are a few much bigger bands currently waving
the rock flag like it was their own design, but it sounds
like Rotorua could teach them a lesson or two..."
HM Australia Demolition December '95 - Review of "Blind"

"Tightly wound riffs twist through a dark, greasy tailpipe,
echoing late Metallica minus their glam aspirations.
The sorrowful vocals carry just enough despair to pull
their propulsive guitar sounds into Gothic territory."
Listen.com December '99

"Excellent, beefy, angry....I like it!!"
Rick Reed - mp3.com music dept, writing of The Altars', Purify

But my main recommendations go to the Rotorua
bands Echojar, & The Altar..."
Tearaway February '98 - Review of Noisyland 2 compilation

"...The good stuff here is Lung, Clear, &
Rotorua's The Altar..."
Rip It Up March '98 - Review of Noisyland 2 compilation

"...Which show the band to be extremely talented at
creating 90's styled guitar rock with their own
distinct character on display..."
"...Good songwriting skills, at times truly inspired..."
Rukkus! Demology October '95 - Review of "Blind"

"...Of the four tracks on the tape, all demonstrate
good song-writing & accomplished musicianship..."
HM NZ Scene October '95 - Review of "Blind"