Music: Gorgoroth: Pentagram
Our Take
Gorgoroth’s debut album Pentagram is one of those CDs that has been reissued countless times since its initial release. Originally released in 1994, the album has been through three or four remasterings, with the newest coming from Regain Records. Though there’s nothing new on this reissue that the original recording didn’t have, it’s still a great reminder not only into how this long running black metal band started but also how the genre as a whole has evolved.
Back when Pentagram was written and recorded, Gorgoroth had vocalist Hat belting out extremely high pitched shrieks (he would be with them for this album as well as 1996’s Antichrist). But unlike other black metal vocalists, Hat’s voice is so high pitched that it might alienate some people from this album. However, those who can tolerate the manic shrieking and lower budget production values (as expected from a band who at the time was very much part of the black metal underground) will find Pentagram to be enjoyable.There may be some blast beats on Pentagram, but this early Gorgoroth also showcases some of the black metal genre’s roots. Tracks such as “(Under) The Pagan Megalith” showcase a distinctive punk influence, the likes of which are a rare find in today’s black metal. Infernus has always brought interesting guitar riffs to the table, and this was no exception on the group’s debut. There are more changes than one would expect from a black metal album, ensuring that this album remains interesting even if it is rather short.
If you already own Pentagram from one of the many labels to have reissued it, there is no need to pick it up again as Regain’s copy offers nothing new. However, fans of later Gorgoroth material who haven’t yet experienced this first step for themselves will want to give it a listen. Even though the production makes it sound dated and the vocals are an acquired taste, Pentagram still holds up to much of today’s black metal scene.
http://www.regainrecords.com
Chris Dahlberg
January 14, 2008
