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
The Sorcerer
Pagan Altar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of saffron velvet surrounds him
Stark trees of stone support the moon
And stop the sky from falling in around him
He stands upon his mountain throne
His arms held high he's all-alone
Ashen face turned towards the sky
His eyes reflect a tormented soul
His mind too troubled to let him die
Lightning, swift and dazzling
As it flashes silhouettes him
A gnarled old man of ageless time
His bony fingers draw his cloak around him
He slowly bends his weary frame
Picks up his lamp adjusts its flame
Secrets of the night to unfurl
He walks away with laden tread
Slowly turning his grey old head
Briefly looking back at the world
Visions of the ages that have passed fly before him
Memories of kings and queens
Long since dead their ghostly forms surround him
But soon these figures start to fade
They're only dreams an old man made
A wish that is borne of despair
There is no one left to take their place
No Arthur now to save our face
No leaders who seem as if they care
Oh, where are we going to?
What is there left for me and you?
The lyrics to Pagan Altar's song The Sorcerer paint a vivid picture of a powerful, yet tormented sorcerer. The opening lines describe the sorcerer standing alone atop a mountain, surrounded by darkness like a cloak of saffron velvet, with stark trees of stone holding up the moon and preventing the sky from falling in around him. His arms are raised in a gesture of power, but his face is ashen and his eyes reflect the pain of a tormented soul. The sorcerer is ancient, with endless years having taken their toll on his mind, but he is unable to die.
The second verse introduces a new character: a gnarled old man of ageless time, who bends his weary frame and draws his cloak around him as dazzling lightning flashes around him. This old man carries a lamp and walks away with a laden tread, looking back briefly at the world. The visions of the ages that have passed fly before him: memories of kings and queens, long since dead, whose ghostly forms surround him. But these figures fade away, leaving only the sorcerer's despair: there is no one left to take their place, no leaders who seem to care. The song ends with a sense of hopelessness: where are we going to? What is there left for me and you?
Overall, The Sorcerer is a powerful and haunting song that speaks to the human condition: the pain of endless years, the fear of death, and the despair of a world without leaders or hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Darkness like a cloak
The scene is set with the singer surrounded by darkness that feels like a heavy cloak covering him.
Of saffron velvet surrounds him
The darkness is not just plain, it has a texture and a color of saffron velvet.
Stark trees of stone support the moon
The singer is in a desolate place, without any vegetation around, and the only point of reference in the sky is the moon that is supported by the rocky mountains.
And stop the sky from falling in around him
The rocky mountains have a protective role, as if they prevent the sky from falling onto the artist.
He stands upon his mountain throne
The artist is standing tall on a mountain, as if it is his throne.
His arms held high he's all-alone
Although he's standing high and mighty, he's all alone in this world.
Ashen face turned towards the sky
His face is pale and lifeless, and he's staring at the sky as if searching for answers.
His eyes reflect a tormented soul
The artist's eyes are a reflection of his tortured and tormented soul.
Endless years have took their toll
The artist has been living for many years, and it has taken its toll on him both mentally and physically.
His mind too troubled to let him die
Although he's suffering greatly, his mind is preoccupied with problems that prevent him from giving up on life.
Lightning, swift and dazzling
Suddenly, lightning strikes in the sky and it's swift and dazzling.
As it flashes silhouettes him
The lightning creates a silhouette around the artist.
A gnarled old man of ageless time
An old man with a twisted appearance shows up, and he is not affected by time.
His bony fingers draw his cloak around him
The old man wraps his cloak tighter around him, maybe out of caution or discomfort.
He slowly bends his weary frame
The old man's movements are slow and deliberate, as if he's tired and worn out.
Picks up his lamp adjusts its flame
The old man picks up his lamp and adjusts its flame, meaning he has a mission or task to fulfill.
Secrets of the night to unfurl
The old man is about to reveal or uncover secrets that the night holds.
He walks away with laden tread
The old man's walk is heavy and burdened.
Slowly turning his grey old head
As he walks away, the old man turns his head back for a brief moment, but then continues on his path.
Briefly looking back at the world
The old man acknowledges the world that he's leaving behind, but he has a higher purpose to fulfill.
Visions of the ages that have passed fly before him
The old man is having flashbacks of various ages and periods that have passed.
Memories of kings and queens
Some of the visions are of past royalty such as kings and queens.
Long since dead their ghostly forms surround him
These visions are of ghosts who haunt the old man and remind him of their once-great power.
But soon these figures start to fade
The visions fade away as the old man's focus shifts elsewhere.
They're only dreams an old man made
The old man realizes these were just dreams and not a reality he witnessed.
A wish that is borne of despair
Even though these were just visions, the old man wishes they were still living since he is desperate for guidance.
There is no one left to take their place
The old man feels the absence of a great leader to guide him and the people.
No Arthur now to save our face
The old man wishes for a legendary figure like King Arthur to save the day and maintain their face, or reputation.
No leaders who seem as if they care
The old man feels that there are no leaders today who genuinely care for the people they lead.
Oh, where are we going to?
The old man is overwhelmed with the world's current state as he questions where we are headed.
What is there left for me and you?
He questions if there is anything left for him and those around him to hold onto or find hope in.
Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SA page_old
Memories of kings and queens, long since dead their ghostly forms surround him
But soon these figures start to fade
They're only dreams an old man made
A wish that is borne of despair
There is no one left to take their place
No Arthur now to save our face
No leaders who seem as if they care
Oh where are we going to?
What is there left for me and you?
PanzerfaustMTG
Darkness like a cloak of saffron velvet surrounds him
Stark trees of stone support the moon and stop the sky
From falling in around him.
He stands upon his mountain throne
His arms held high he's all-alone.
Ashen face turned towards the sky
His eyes reflect a tormented soul
Endless years have took their toll
His mind too troubled to let him die.
Lightning, swift and dazzling as it flashes
Silhouettes him
A gnarled old man of ageless time his bony fingers
Draw his cloak around him
He slowly bends his weary frame
Picks up his lamp adjusts its flame
Secrets of the night to unfurl
He walks away with laden tread
Slowly turning his grey old head
Briefly looking back at the world.
Visions of the ages that have passed fly before him
Memories of kings and queens, long since dead their
Ghostly forms surround him
But soon these figures start to fade
They're only dreams an old man made
A wish that is borne of despair
There is no one left to take their place
No Arthur now to save our face
No leaders who seem as if they care
Oh where are we going to?
What is there left for me and you?
SA page_old
Memories of kings and queens, long since dead their ghostly forms surround him
But soon these figures start to fade
They're only dreams an old man made
A wish that is borne of despair
There is no one left to take their place
No Arthur now to save our face
No leaders who seem as if they care
Oh where are we going to?
What is there left for me and you?
SA page_old
in other words ....where are the leaders that spearheaded the once great human civilizations ? ...What we have now is mostly spineless cowards and liars...
John Kevill
One of the most beautiful and tragic verses in all of music. What an amazing band
PanzerfaustMTG
Darkness like a cloak of saffron velvet surrounds him
Stark trees of stone support the moon and stop the sky
From falling in around him.
He stands upon his mountain throne
His arms held high he's all-alone.
Ashen face turned towards the sky
His eyes reflect a tormented soul
Endless years have took their toll
His mind too troubled to let him die.
Lightning, swift and dazzling as it flashes
Silhouettes him
A gnarled old man of ageless time his bony fingers
Draw his cloak around him
He slowly bends his weary frame
Picks up his lamp adjusts its flame
Secrets of the night to unfurl
He walks away with laden tread
Slowly turning his grey old head
Briefly looking back at the world.
Visions of the ages that have passed fly before him
Memories of kings and queens, long since dead their
Ghostly forms surround him
But soon these figures start to fade
They're only dreams an old man made
A wish that is borne of despair
There is no one left to take their place
No Arthur now to save our face
No leaders who seem as if they care
Oh where are we going to?
What is there left for me and you?
David Silva
Que música linda!!!!
ENRIQUE DUCASSE
WOW! AMAZING BAND! I LIKE IT VERY MUCH. HIGH FROM MÉXICO...
PanzerfaustMTG
My favourite one. ❤
Ace Dzyvdzansky
can someone help me with sheet music and/or tabs for this song ? please,i've been trying to learn it by ear for ages now...no success...ty in advance,great song,great band :)
Paul Martin
Even more relevant now than it was then. Political metal genius.
Jerfferson Manoel
Greetings from Brazil!