CoC : Altar - Provoke : Review

Altar - _Provoke_
(Displeased, 1998)
by: Adrian Bromley (6 out of 10)

Like a bat out of hell, the death n' growl onslaught of Altar hits fast and hard. In other words, it "provokes" from the get go. Sharp riffs whip this sucker into shape, slapping together some ferocious amounts of metal anguish and frustration during numerous tracks, rarely slowing this sucker down. Like a softened Napalm Death, the music of Altar fluctuates sincerely on _Provoke_, allowing the band to capture an angle and approach with each and every song. There are also some great melodies here keeping things intact. Those good points aside, it becomes apparent that there really isn't much groundbreaking here after we filter through the good qualities. Some of the songwriting deserves a round of applause, and those detonating drum blasts deserve praise, but Altar can only keep it interesting for sometime before it becomes pretty much standard. Choice cuts: "W.E.B." and "Wasted World."

(article published 1/9/1998)

CHATS
12/8/2000	A McKay	Altar: The Shrine Unshrouded

ALBUMS
12/8/2000	A McKay	6.5	Altar - In the Name of the Father
17/7/1996	A Bromley	7	Altar - Altar