Artist: Altar Of Belial
Country: USA
Label: Self-Released
Formats: Demo Tape
Year: 2025
Some time ago I ran into this rather mysterious one-man band. There’s very little information available, other than this is a solo-project that operates out of the USA. But sometimes information isn’t all that necessary. Just by putting these symbols on your sleeve, those in the know will understand perfectly well. A message such as “FFO: VON, Profanatica” on the Bandcamp page feels like a sign saying “Beware, water!” in the middle of the ocean.
Altar Of Belial doesn’t beat around the bush much. This is some of the most obvious VON-worship that I have heard in a long time. Even the typical stop/start-moments in between songs, that feel like something was cut off, are here to give you the ultimate VON-experience. But, yes, for good measure, there is some bits and pieces that equally resembles Profanatica, Burning Winds or early Demoncy; at least it is a 100% American Black Metal affair. Free from all finesse and whatever overrated musicality. Staccato pummelling, repetitive riffing and barking vocals: this is as primitive as Black Metal can get – well, honestly, Burning Winds still holds that title.
So, when getting this demo, which comes in a limited to run of only 10 copies by the way, you should be prepared to have to wrap your ears around something that feels like it has been made some 30+ years ago. Surprising enough, there’s quite a few newer bands that pay homage to this most ugly side of Black Metal, yet it is as much a niche-in-a-niche genre as anything else. I hope that there will be much more coming, it is a true and most welcome fist in the face of all the soulless hipster Black Metal of today.
