Perhaps there aren’t too many people who are familiar with doom and drone orchestra Altaar yet, but those who have seen the band live are mighty impressed. The line-up includes names such as Sven Ove Toft (various noise acts), Espen Hångård (Killl and NoPlaceToHide), Andreas Tylden and Kennteh Lamond (both from JR Ewing). Their dark and syrupy doomsday rock carries a distinct whiff of sulfur and tar. Among their inspirational sources are Philip Glass and Bathory. Altaar mauled the ear drums of a curious crowd during Club Night at Blå last year, and we quickly decided that this was something we wanted to present in the Medieval Park in 2010. They recently released their first cassette tape (!), entitled Dødsønske [Death Wish]. On it are five songs of “blasphemous funeral ambient doom”. This summer they will attempt to turn our otherwise light and merry minds into pitch-dark nightmare machines. We who have preference for syrupy quality grit are looking forward to it like a bunch of out-of-control, little kids.

www.myspace.com/altaarnorway
www11.nrk.no/urort/artist/ALTAAR/default.aspx