BIOGRAPHY
Black Altar, existing since 1996, is one of the best and most promising Black Metal bands from the East/Middle Europe. The group which is lead since its beginning by Shadow, earned admiration and respect practically in every country where the metal scene is vivid. Black Altar exists currently as an exclusive solo studio project, to which Shadow invites session musicians.
The first stroke into their rotten system of values was a demo entitled "Na Uroczysku..." which gained a special recognition among several groups of listeners. It was recorded by Shadow in 1997 at Selani Studio with the help of Doc, Vader's drummer, in the role of a music engineer. Released under Shadow's own label - Odium Rec., the first issue of 500 copies was sold out rapidly, making the name of Black Altar very popular in Poland and in other countries as well.
There were many musicians involved, however none of them stayed long because they could not meet Shadow's high musical and ideological requirements. The turning-point came in the end of 1999 when two new musicians, who just like Shadow had shown boundless devotion to the Black Metal Art, joined the band.
In December 2000 a new, long-awaited EP entitled "Wrath ov the Gods" was recorded. Although all the compositions included were rather old, this record presented a new and more full-fledged face of the band. The EP was released in 2002, once again, by Odium Rec., this time as a limited to 666 copies hand-numbered with blood split CD with promising band Vesania. Split Black Altar with Vesania (members of Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Decapitated). There are first professional songs of both bands. Very rare album released in 2000, limited to 666 hand numbered copies with corpse blood. Sold out ages ago.
In 2003 Odium Rec. re-released "Wrath of the Gods" in the form of limited to 500 copies, hand-numbered with corpse blood, 7" EP.
In September 2003 at Selani Studio Black Altar recorded their debut album entitled "Black Altar". It was a great improvement in the development of the band. All the compositions show an enormous potential of Black Altar. The new hymns are still more extreme and more technical. They reveal the unknown regions of Black Metal - an Art destined for the privileged. "Black Altar" was mixed and mastered at Studio X. For the track "Fire ov Immortal Self" a professional video was recorded.
In April 2004 the material is released in the form of CD and a gate-fold LP by the German Christhunt Productions. Odium Rec. releases a limited to 666 copies hand-numbered with corpse blood cassette version of "Black Altar".
After releasing the debut album Shadow parts with his musicians and as of that moment Black Altar became temporarily a one-man band. In 2006 WarKult from Peru released remastered version of Black Altar "Wrath ov the Gods" (with 4 bonus tracks) as split,slip case cd, with Nebular Mystic (Nor). In October 2006 Black Altar finished record session of their second album called "Death Fanaticism". It's a killer Black Metal Holocaust!
In October 2006 Black Altar finished record session of their second album called "Death Fanaticism". This unholy Masterpiece ov Black Art was unleashed in March 2008 under the wings of Odium Rex
In 2009 Night Birds Records (Ukr) released „Death Fanaticism” tape version limited to 300 copies and Propaganda Records (Ukr) unleashed "Death Fanaticism" pro tape limited to 666 copies.
In October 2009 7 Gates Rec (Pol) released digi book A5 version of „Death Fanaticism” album, limited to 500 copies. First 100 with a t-shirt.
In July 2010 Black Altar recorded tracks for mini album "Suicidal Salvation" which will be released in the first part of 2013 via German Darker than Black Records on digi pack and vinyl and for split Black Altar/Varathron/Thornspawn.
In January 2013 Black Altar / Varathron / Thornspawn split was finally unleashed by Odium Records as jewel case cd version, as a deluxe gatefold vinyl limited to 350 copies on black and to 150 copies on clear vinyl by Floga Rec/Hellsfire Rec from Greece. Moreover digi book A5 version will be released about February via Black Saw Prod (Mex) and BlackDeath Coven (USA) and tape version, limited to 140 copies in cardboard box via RawBlackKult Prod from Bolivia! There are 3 new tracks of Black Altar + intro and outro.
In October mini album "Suicidal Salvation" was unleashed by German Darker than Black as a digi pack and Lp (in 2014). The album includes songs originally intended for the split with Shining.
Status: Active
Years active: 1996-Present
LINE UP
Shadow - Bass, Vocals
Horizon - Guitars (2008-Present)
Country of origin: Poland
Location: Olsztyn (early), London, UK (later)
Genre: Black Metal
Current label: Odium Records
Agent: Shadow
Booking/Press Contact: shadow666@interia.pl
Official Website: http://www.black-altar-horde.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackaltar
Myspace: http://myspace.com/blackaltarhorde
Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/blackaltar
Shadow's Myspace: http://myspace.com/shadow_the_lord
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/odiumrec
DISCOGRAPHY
Suicidal Salvation (EP - 2013)
Emissaries of the Darkened Call (Split With Varathron And Thornspawn - 2012)
Death Fanaticism (Full-Length Album - 2008)
Black Altar (Full-Length Album - 2004)
Wrath ov the Gods ( Split With Vesania - 2002)
Na Uroczysku ( Full Demo - 1998)
