Altars of Madness is a relatively new band from Mexico, formed in 2014, that is jumping into the Progressive Metal pool. The members all look quite young which is interesting because the playing is at a pretty high level. The songs are well put together with just enough time changes and complicated phrasing to qualify for the Progressive tag but not so much you feel like you're listening to Spock's Beard or Porcupine Tree. The debut album Nine Circles has a dark and gloomy feel throughout. Most of it is generic which is not surprising given the band's short existence but what really drags it down and offsets the musicianship are the vocals. Altars of Madness have gone with an angry and/or drunk Henry Rollins sneer/whine and it is definitely out of step with the music. It doesn't help when they stray from the beat occasionally either. I don't like to fault bands for experimenting but this combination of Henry Rollins and Progressive Metal doesn't work to my ears.