Altar De Fey emerged in early-1980s San Francisco as part of the original Deathrock movement, transforming punk’s raw urgency into something darker and more deliberate. Performing at legendary venues such as Mabuhay Gardens alongside bands like Christian Death and 45 Grave, the band rejected conventional song structures in favor of texture, tension, and ritual atmosphere.

Centered around founding guitarist Kent Cates’ singular, experimental style, Altar De Fey built a devoted following before disbanding in 1988 without releasing official recordings—leaving behind a mystique that quietly grew into underground legend. Re-emerging in 2011 as a continuation rather than a revival, the band now bridges past and present with a body of work that honors its origins while moving untouched through time. Based in Oakland, California, Altar De Fey tours internationally and stands as a steadfast force within the lineage of authentic West Coast Deathrock.