A collaboration between multiple blogs, Altered Zones launched in July of 2010 and quickly became an excellent source for emerging noise, electronic and avant-garde musicians. An offshoot of Pitchfork, the site made room for lesser heard voices that didn't always fit on its father publication due in part to so many Bon Iver side-projects begging for review. Sadly, the site has announced plans to shut down today.

According to a post on the Altered Zones front page, the DIY-friendly site has run short on contributors as they've "moved on from their blogs to start labels, run venues, create zines, and make music of their own."

"We love what we've built, and the idea of it remaining as a sort of time capsule of this particular era of music feels right," they continue.

Altered Zones will close out the week with some of their favourite quotes and songs, along with their best of 2011 coverage. Farewell, Altered Zones! You will be missed!

The full statement can be read below:

Dear friends,
Today, the road comes to an end.  We are saying goodbye.

Altered Zones was launched in July 2010 with the mission of highlighting small-scale DIY music from all over the world, and we couldn't be more proud of the work we've done together during this past year and a half. We've helped new artists on the fringes of experimental music find likeminded fans, we've thrown a series of amazing events, and most importantly, we've built a community of devoted listeners seeking new and relatable voices outside the sphere of popular independent music.

This site began as a tight-knit collective of 14 music blogs with a common goal, but as many of our original contributors moved on from their blogs to start labels, run venues, create zines, and make music of their own, that original group has become increasingly splintered. We love what we've built, and the idea of it remaining as a sort of time capsule of this particular era of music feels right.

We don't view Altered Zones closing as an end in itself, but rather the end of one chapter and the opening of another. AZ editors Ric Leichtung and Emilie Friedlander will contribute to Pitchfork, and will launch a new project together called Ad Hoc in 2012. In the meantime, Altered Zones will be signing off tomorrow and Friday with our favorite quotes, songs you might've missed, and albums of 2011.

Thanks to everyone who counted themselves as a loyal reader of this site-- you are who we built this for. Thanks to everyone who contributed-- it could not have existed without you! And thanks to Pitchfork for creating and supporting this site since its inception, and for making it all possible in the first place. Happy 2012. We'll see you all again very soon…