Artist Profile

Altar of Plagues

Label: Profound Lore Records
Agent: Mark Lewis

Irish act Altar of Plagues was formed in 2006. Terms that are most frequently used to describe their sound include black metal, ambient, metal 'gaze', and progressive or post metal, though it seems no one description can sum up the act's massive sound. They consider black metal to be the genre to which they are most attached, but they have also been quoted to take influence from acts as diverse as Emperor, Bjork, and Arvo Pärt.

The band's untraditional aesthetic and approach to music appeals to a wide variety of listeners and touring partners, including Isis and Mayhem, as well as festivals that focus on ‘extreme’ metal and festivals that encourage experimentation and diversity.

Following the release of only one demo and an EP (entitled "Sol"), Altar of Plagues signed to Canadian label, Profound Lore Records. In 2009 the act released "White Tomb", an album that was described by a number of critics as one of 2009's best and most exciting releases (and was featured in Decibel Magazines Best of 2009 list). In 2009 the band toured extensively throughout Europe, with 2010 proving to be an even more promising year for the act with a new E.P release on Roadburn records as well as receiving an invitation to perform at the renowned Roadburn Festival.