Their gigs were characterised by moody, epic and heavy music interpreted with highly visual stage aspect which accented their interest for occult themes. Pagan Altar's only release from that era was independent, self-released, self-titled cassette which was in later years bootlegged. It was finally officially re-released on Oracle Records in 1998 and titled Volume 1. Despite no label interest in the late 70's and early 80's, the timelessness of their music ultimately prevailed as doom-obsessed metalheads kept Pagan Altar's music alive over two and a half decades.
Mid-first decade of the 21st century, the group had reformed to re-record an album of material written, but never released during their original tenure as a band. That album, Lords of Hypocrisy, has been met with an incredible reception from fans of doom both old and new, this was followed by a third full length, named Mythical and Magical.
Pagan Altar took back to the road after five years of silence, to record the new album Never Quite Dead, and played gigs worldwide to the band's loyal and ever increasing fanbase with new members behind Alan and Terry to form the backbone of the bonecrunching Pagan Altar live sound. Joining them on bass is William Gallagher, Vince Hempstead on guitars, and Dean Alexander on drums.
Behind the Cloak, an exceedingly more detailed and painstaking account of Pagan Altar history than this may be read at the band's website
Dance of the Druids
Pagan Altar Lyrics
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Their white hair flows like silver webs, framing eyes of fire.
The gentle throb of an ancient drum, no human ever made.
Music only gods should hear, no human ever played.
This ritual of the druids has been, the saviour of mankind.
Unknown to them the price was paid by personal sacrifice.
For all the wrongs that man has done, the piper must be paid.
From where they come and where they go, or why they have to be.
Mans mind cant hope to comprehend the sheer complexity.
Stonehenge has been their meeting place, as far as man can tell.
Birth of myths and legends, the gateway to Hell.
Man has always thought of them as priests or holy men,
Mortal beings that live and die never to rise again
Unknown to man their astral form still haunt the ancient ruins
No one ever understood the power of the druids.
I'm standing by the Altar stone, standing here all-alone.
Who can I turn to where can I run to.
I watch them slowly walk away as night turns into another day.
No one to turn back, no one will come back for me
Take me if you want to, take me if you need to,
Take me if you have to, take me.
Dawns light on the altar marks, the end of another rite.
Their spaceship glistening in the sun slips slowly out of sight.
Mans fate assured his conscience clear in the eyes of other men.
His slate is clean the bill was paid by the death of one of them.
Guide me and lead me help me through this night,
Take me and show them but let them see some light!
The lyrics of Pagan Altar's "Dance of the Druids" depict a ritual performed by the druids, pagan priests of ancient Britain, at Stonehenge. The druids are described as ghostly phantoms with white hair and eyes of fire, gliding across the mire to the beat of an ancient drum that no human ever made. The music they play is said to be only for the gods to hear, as no human could ever play it. The song implies that the druids' mysterious powers are beyond human comprehension, and that their true nature is unknown even to themselves.
The lyrics also suggest that the druids' role was to save mankind, but that this came at a great cost - the personal sacrifice of one of their own. The piper, who played the music that summoned the gods, was required to pay the ultimate price in order for humanity to be redeemed. The singer of the song seems to be standing alone at the altar stone, watching the druids depart as dawn breaks. He pleads for guidance and help, asking to be shown the light that the druids possess.
Line by Line Meaning
Like ghostly phantoms on the wind, they glide across the mire.
The druids move quietly and swiftly like phantoms, traveling across the swampy terrain with ease.
Their white hair flows like silver webs, framing eyes of fire.
The druids have long, white hair that flows behind them like strands of silver, and their eyes shine with an intense, fiery light.
The gentle throb of an ancient drum, no human ever made.
The sound of the druids' drum is so ancient and otherworldly that it could never have been created by humans.
Music only gods should hear, no human ever played.
The music of the druids is so divine and mystical that it is meant only for the ears of gods, and no human musician could ever replicate its sound.
This ritual of the druids has been, the saviour of mankind.
The rituals and practices of the druids have saved mankind from countless misfortunes and tragedies throughout history.
Unknown to them the price was paid by personal sacrifice.
Despite their important role in history, the druids have paid a steep personal price for their service, which is largely unrecognized by the people they have helped.
For all the wrongs that man has done, the piper must be paid.
The druids believe that in order to balance the cosmic scales, someone must pay for the wrongs committed by mankind.
So he can sleep eternally peacefully in his grave.
The person who pays the price for mankind's sins is able to rest peacefully in death after their sacrifice.
From where they come and where they go, or why they have to be.
The origin and purpose of the druids is a mystery that humans cannot hope to fully understand.
Mans mind cant hope to comprehend the sheer complexity.
Human minds are incapable of comprehending the full complexity of the druids' purpose and existence.
Stonehenge has been their meeting place, as far as man can tell.
Stonehenge is the best-known meeting place of the druids, according to human history and legends.
Birth of myths and legends, the gateway to Hell.
Stonehenge, associated with the druids, has been the source of myths and legends throughout history, and has also been seen as a gateway to the underworld.
Man has always thought of them as priests or holy men,
Humans have historically perceived druids as religious figures, similar to priests or holy men.
Mortal beings that live and die never to rise again
Despite their mystical powers, the druids are still mortal beings who will eventually die and not return to the living world.
Unknown to man their astral form still haunt the ancient ruins
Although the physical bodies of the druids are long gone, their astral forms continue to linger around the ancient ruins where they once practiced their rituals.
No one ever understood the power of the druids.
Throughout history, nobody has been able to fully comprehend the incredible power held by the druids and their practices.
I'm standing by the Altar stone, standing here all-alone.
The artist finds themselves alone, standing next to the altar stone.
Who can I turn to where can I run to.
The singer is afraid and unsure of where to turn or seek help.
I watch them slowly walk away as night turns into another day.
The singer watches as the druids leave, moving off into the distance as night turns into day.
No one to turn back, no one will come back for me.
The artist is alone and knows that nobody will be coming back to help or rescue them.
Take me if you want to, take me if you need to,
The artist is willing to be taken by the druids, whether they want or need them.
Take me if you have to, take me.
The artist is willing to be taken by the druids, no matter what the circumstances.
Dawns light on the altar marks, the end of another rite.
The light of dawn shines on the altar, signaling the end of another ritual performed by the druids.
Their spaceship glistening in the sun slips slowly out of sight.
The druids' spaceship (which is likely meant metaphorically) shines in the light of the sun as it takes off and gradually fades from view.
Mans fate assured his conscience clear in the eyes of other men.
Human fate is predetermined, and their conscience is clear only in the eyes of others.
His slate is clean, the bill was paid by the death of one of them.
A person's sins can be absolved by the death of one of the druids, who have paid the price for mankind's wrongdoings.
Guide me and lead me help me through this night,
The singer is seeking guidance and help to get through a difficult and dark time.
Take me and show them but let them see some light!
The artist wants to be taken by the druids so that they might be shown the way forward and given some hope and light.
Contributed by Samuel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.